On My Way to Work: Oslo, Norway

Photo: Mr. Thomas

Matadors Oslo Destination Expert shares about her daily commute.

The Drammen Oslo track is a single of a most frequented commuter runs in a country. Ive taken which sight for 3 years now, as good as Im still vacant during how most brand new faces we spot each day. Or maybe Im usually not paying attention.

Others have been now recognizable. The 3 women across a aisle always lay together, needlework as good as chatting. Behind them, a man in a blue all-weather coupler digs out a newspaper as good as his breakfast: dual pieces of hard-crusted bread with brownish-red goat cheese, wrapped in aluminum foil a same each morning. Slowly, deliberately, he digests his sandwiches along with a news.

The boy across from me in a four-seater immediately disappears in to a universe of his headphones, soon snoring lightly. Next to me, a suit-clad man sneezes. For a second, we consider observant prosit (bless you), though we dont really wish to proceed a conversation.

Paying closer attention, we listen to continuous coughing as good as sneezing upon a sight this morning. we substantially have to appreciate a fanciful Nordic autumn continue for that. Yesterday was beautiful, sunny, crisp as good as cold. Today, its warm as good as wet; classic cold-producing weather.

Photo: Anne-Sophie Redisch

In Norway, we similar to a space. Nothing brings out a introvert in us some-more than a forced intimacy of a full sunrise train. Mobile phones, books, Kindles as good as laptops have been hoisted out of backpacks. Some work, play or dream, others usually wish to equivocate interaction with others. Im scribbling records for this piece. The sight float is a really in effect time of day; we can get loads finished in those 40 minutes.

Soon Im upon pins as good as needles. we spin toward a window as good as try to inch divided from my sneezing se! at-mate as inconspicuously as we can, anticipating hell get off during Sandvika, a next stop. we usually dont have time for a cold now. My immune defenses have been a bit upon a low side as well, as we stupidly sat up until 2 a.m., watching a rerun of Fargo for a umpteenth time. Im preoccupied by those characters, their actions, their accents, which whole description of Scandinavian America.

Unfortunately, Sneezy remains by my side all a approach to a National Theatre sight station. Outside, people dive along Karl Johan, Oslos categorical street, in a rain. Sensibly, most wear charming rubber boots from Danish engineer Ilse Jacobsen flattering as good as practical. Im actually wearing Ilse Jacobsen as well. Only, its a flattering as good as not-so-practical espadrilles. After about a single minute, we discover they arent a least bit H2O proof.

For a little self-comfort, we stop by my unreasoning cafeteria as good as get a delicious, high-calorie pain-au-chocolate along with my coffee. we decide to eat in today, rather than take a goodies to go. Its 7 a.m.; a cafeteria has usually only opened, though people have been already queuing to get their sunrise fix.

The large window affords excellent people-watching. Across a street, next to a metro exit, a beggar sets up his office for a day. Its Tom Erik in his unchanging spot. Ive seen him most times, oral to him occasionally. From a plastic bag, he produces a little chair cushion, a torn paper cup to pick up a days earnings, a mobile phone, a newspaper as good as we crane my neck it looks similar to a small potted plant, an African Violet. He quickly leafs by a paper before making a call. we wonder who hes articulate to.

Photo: Anne-Sophie Redisch

Hearing a brand new cluster of people emerging from a hole in a ground, he puts divided his phone as good as paper, ready to proceed working. Most people walk past him, oblivious. Nothing can disrupt their brisk run to a office. Others suggest a twenty krone coin, a grin as good as a god! morgen, always cheerfully returned. Some stop as good as chat.

Before withdrawal a caf, we buy a latte as good as a scone as good as move it over. we hardly ever carry cash as good as he knows it. Ive been wondering either we should get a Visa-machine, he jokes.

The series of beggars in Oslo has increasing a last few years, partly as a result of a abolishment of a Vagrancy Act in 2006. Im forever changeable about giving income to a beggars. Often, as today, we end up shopping them a cup of coffee instead, yet we comprehend this can be viewed as a bit overbearing. Many thanks, he says. If hes disappointed, he doesnt uncover it. Im curious how most he creates upon an average day, though reluctant to ask.

Arriving during my office, determined to inhibit any persistent germ which competence have settled in, we poke by a cupboards for a little Vitamin C. Then, to satisfy my curiosity, we google Oslos beggars.

Community Connection

For some-more about Olso, check out Anne-Sophies Green Guide to Oslo upon Matador Change.


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