I cannot help but like Oslo.  It is fabulous.  Sometimes some places just make you sense the wonder right away.  A few places over the years have done that, though in honesty it does not number that many, the one’s that you know from the minute one that this will be a marvelous city.

“She Lies” is not a statement made by a disgruntled boyfriend, but actually is a sculpture by Monica Bonvicini that stands on the water by Oslo Opera House since 2010.  When I say water .. this is Oslo, so what I mean is ice. The sculpture aspires to be a monument about change, longing and hope.

It is winter and maybe a perfect time for Oslo to thrive.  I arrived to the snow surrounded airport, though not much snow was evident once I made the 23 mile journey into the city. Of course you hear ahead of time that Norway is expensive, and the only thing I can say is thank heavens I don’t like chocolate ~ £2 aka $3 is the price of a chocolate bar.  Just to give you an idea.  Beer is about $9 a pint, but I do like beer 🙂  A beer, food and a new mortgage allowed some enjoyable time at O’Learys Sports Bar on Karl Johans Gate, Oslo.

There are just pieces of this place that can’t seem to just pass you by, but catch you. Not many places can do that so well, and do so discreetly.  The Royal Palace at the end of Karl Johan Gate lights the way, but I need and will explore further afield than the main street, though it is eye catching.