DAY ONE--August 27
We arrived in Oslo after an overnight flight and managed to make our way from the airport to the train station. Feeling pretty proud of ourselves for figuring that out (thanks to the considerable help of guru RIck Steves) we were fairly confident that we would be able to find our hotel with little problem. After all, it was supposed to be within easy walking distance of the train station. Problem was--Oslo is a big city. Central Station is a big station. We did manage to find our way out of the station eventually, but were at a total loss as to which way to go then, We had no wi-fi (and the hope that it would be available at the train station turned out to be vain) so Google Maps was of no help. Guru Steves had said that there should be a T1 (tourist help office) just outside the station and we eventually found our way to it only to discover it had recently moved. Asking the man on the street (or more accurately in the train station) proved of no value either. We were totally stumped and not a little grumpy to be honest.
After a few “I wish I never come on this dumb trip” and other such helpful commentary from both of us, Ken suggested that I go stand in line at what USED to be the T1 and see if we would get help. Neither of us knew what was actually being done there--all we knew was you had to take a number and wait---and wait. I thought it was a singularly unhelpful suggestion, but at this point I was ready to try anything, so I dutifully went and stood in line. A long wait later I was finally called to talk to a very nice looking lady. With a great deal of embarrassment I explained our predicament expecting the woman to look at me and say “Excuse me, do I look like a map! This is a real estate office!” or something of the sort. Instead the lady, perhaps seeing the desperation on my face, kindly asked me the address of the hotel. She got a map out, found the street, marked it for us--and to our overwhelming relief we found it was very close. Off we went, almost back in charity with each other and with little more fuss found our hotel.
CityBox was the name of it and a box it was. The room was so small you had to leave it to change your mind. However, it was spotlessly clean, secure, and the beds were comfortable. Staff was so friendly as well. We didn't complain as the price was the best that could be found (with decent reviews) in Oslo--and it WAS close to the train station. It was here, too, that we realized that things are different from home. We got a key card and headed off to the elevator for the 3rd floor. A nice couple with kids got in with us. We punched the button for “3” and waited. And waited some more. Finally the nice lady said “Uh you know you have to use your key card to get the elevator to work.” Well, no! We didn't know that. She showed us how to wave the card in front of the elevator button and then the jolly thing took off. Apparently some type of security which thinking about it later, we decided was a very excellent idea. You can’t even get into this hotel without being buzzed in or using your key card. Then you can’t even get the elevator to function without the key card. But wait--there’s more! When we go to the room, we did figure out how to wave the key card by the lock and the door opened but we ran into trouble the minute we tried to turn on the lights No lights! At this point we were frustrated beyond enduring. Tired, hungry and smelly--and here we were in a room with no lights. We were just about ready to head down to the service desk (no phone in this cheap room) and let loose. But Ken, the Genius, suddenly thought--”Hey what if you have to use the key card to turn on the lights!” He inserted it into a slot and bingo--the lights came on! We were learning a lot. With a lot more to go.
We headed out to eat and STICKER SHOCK!! We could not afford to eat in Oslo. A Coke was $5. A foot long sub from Subway was $15. We grabbed a couple small items and decided we would be starving while in Oslo. We went out to walk around the city and found we liked it very much. A great city to walk around in and everyone was so very nice. Weather was great and we loved just strolling around. We walked until our feet were tired and headed back to our “box” for a shower in the tiny bathroom and off to bed--where we collapsed into an immediate sleep.
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| From Left: Batman lives in Oslo (who knew?), Spire of famous Lutheran church built in 1697--present day king and queen married there as was Crown Prince and wife, Our CityBox Hotel, Trolls are everywhere, Ken even petted one. |
End of Day One.
