The Icing

I live in an area of Oslo called Aker Brygge. What is still a bustling wharf was transformed into a shopping and dining mecca after the shipyard closed about 30 years ago.

Aker Brygge

My neighborhood is about a 10 minute walk away from the wharf which tends to attract both tourists and locals during the summer.

Last week, Tove told me about a nearby greengrocer, which Kevin pointed out to me on Friday. I had just done some grocery shopping the day before, but I look forward to buying my produce here (beautiful mini-aubergines, currants, red onions with the tops left on). There's also a Kiwi (a Norwegian mini-market chain) close by.

Produce Stand, Oslo Style

Yesterday, I met my new friend Jennifer (the other Roving Scholar) to go to a multicultural music festival at the wharf that Tove had told us about.

Multicultural Music Festival Attendees in Front of Radhuset (City Hall)

We walked around a little, but ended up sitting on a boat enjoying the beautiful day and getting to know each other. We also walked up to Akershus fortress which once protected the harbor to look at the spectacular view of Oslofjorden.

Oslofjorden

Next, we wandered into the city center hoping to find Norwegian food for dinner. Instead, we had tapas (cod, grilled veggies, garlic bread, and manchego with apple compote) in Gronland, a neighborhood where many immigrants to Norway live. We were so hungry by that time, that I forgot to take pictures. The cod was really delicious as was the manchego/apple combination. And a band which featured drums played just down the street.

After dinner, we returned to the music festival. I was a little cold by that time, but the music and the crowds of people were so energizing that we hung out for quite awhile listening to reggae, a female Indian rapper, and a band from London.

Jennifer took the trikk (tram) home while I walked back to my apartment feeling safe in spite of the darkness because there were so many people around. I love living in an urban environment.