Even before learning the language, an expat must contend with the proper nouns of life in a new country. City names. Street names. Metro stop names. Pronunciation, particularly in places which use grander alphabets than we're used to, can be a problem. Skøyenåsen, anyone? Nuances in accent and emphasis can…
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All posts tagged Scandinavia
Expatriating: Culture Shock
Being a first time expat is a lot about being swept up in various excitements. Everything is new. Everything is beautiful. But culture shock is not only real, it's an important part of the expat experience and transition. Everything is a little scary, too. Everything is different. There's also the…
Radio Silence Above the Arctic Circle
Things will be quiet behind the red door for a few days. In April, I gave Jonathan his birthday gift of plane tickets to a dream destination, and now we finally get to realize that dream. For the next ten days, we'll be trekking and tramping around the Lofoten Islands,…
Oslo in Motion: 12,000 photos in 5 minutes
Opening with one of the eternal sunsets for which Scandinavia is so well known, just behind Gustav Vigeland's infamously Angry Baby, this video from Kristian Larsen captures the true, modern personality of Oslo. Oslo in Motion from Kristian Larsen on Vimeo . All the city's landmarks are here, from the Opera…
The Delights of Midsummer
I could smell smoke. Cigarettes, wood fires, weed. The music and rhythm of parties echoed up and down our street. A group of twenty young people gathered across the street. I leaned over the railing from my apartment balcony to see them. Smart phones twinkled in their hands. Their voices…
ÆØÅ Size Matters: The Funniest Norwegian Video
Warning: This video is probably not work safe. It's crude and rude and unbelievably hilarious. Last week, I blogged about the Russian language and how it threw me during our recent trip to St. Petersburg. I did have a positive revelation, though. Suddenly, Norwegian looked comfortingly familiar to this happy…
A Look Inside Oslo's Rådhuset (City Hall)
On Sunday, City of Oslo, VisitOSLO , and Ruter hosted Turist i Egen By , an annual event which, in English, translates to Tourist in Your Own City . Free Oslo Passes for everyone! I'm a huge fan of the Oslo Pass, and I always recommend it to people visiting for more than…
Engebret Cafe: Oslo's Oldest Restaurant
"You are American? Yesterday, Martin Sheen was here." The waiter placed our drinks on the table and looked up to gauge our reaction to the name drop. Despite the non sequitur , neither of us flinched. "Martin Sheen. You know... the American actor. West Wing." I'm not really one for name…