Oslo

Interesting facts

Teslas – people love them here. I totally get it – they are nice inside, quiet, look cool. But actually, the reason why it’s worth the money is that they are highly subsidized… by that I mean that apparently it is free to drive them around the city (regular cars have to pay a tax), free to park them in special spots in the city, and to charge them, it costs nothing too… so basically you have a Tesla = free. (except maybe insurance, but I don’t know how that works here).
Public transport – One of the best I’ve seen in Europe. Besides Toulouse at least. Things run on time, there are many routes in the small city. Also the basic fare includes ferry rides to the islands, bus, tram, metro, etc.
Money – Even the bus takes cards. I didn’t have to use cash at all but have you seen their krons? They have holes in the middle!
Diversity – Oslo is very diverse. There are Asians, Indians, Tourists, Middle Easterners, Tourists, Americans, Europeans from other countries, and did I mention Tourists?
English – Pretty much everyone speaks it, except maybe the gypsies, but even they know how to say please, which is more than I can say for the French :D.
Bikes and Dogs – These things are equivalent to children when paying for metro tickets during rush hour. Bikes are free outside of rush hour.
Sports – Everyone here runs, swims, bikes, or something else. They are really active at least in the summer.
Jetlag – This has nothing to do with Oslo, but after a week, I still have to take naps. It really sucks. Maybe I should start going to bed earlier than 1am. Oh but wait.. it’s vacation right? Sleep when you’re dead?

July 15

Wake up at 5am. It is early, but the sun has been up for 2 hours now. My couchsurfing host is awesome and wakes up with me, makes tea and helps me with my bag to get to the metro station 1 minute before it comes. Perfect timing. I get to the train station in good time, and the train leaves exactly on time. These Norwegians are “a l’heure”!

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