Oslo: 3

From our hotel Terminus, New Norway/ Oslo Opera House was just across the road, absolutely walking distance. On inquiring, we got to know that there is a conducted tour which takes you inside the auditoriums with a well-versed guide. It was slated early in the morning and we were already late so kept it for another day. After finishing the breakfast we ventured out for the Oslo Fort. 

Breakfast in Hotel Terminus taught me a lesson which will last me, life long. In Belgium, Antwerp, the crown of one my molars had come off leaving rough metal part still inside the gums. Dental help was tried but it turned out, that it required specialist treatment. Though my health insurance covered accidental dental problem, dental treatment all over the west is extremely expensive, so for dental treatment,'I love my India'! But it so happened that every time I used to chew a morsel, my tongue was getting rubbed against the metal part and in the end, it led to a severe ulcer. It made, for me, impossible to eat or chew anything. So I used to apply chewing gum on the metal part and eat the softest possible food. The point is, in Hotel Terminus they were serving cold cuts of fish and red meat. Fish was salmon and it was served raw as paper-thin fillets. The pork was served as bacon strips. And I overcame my inhibition of eating anything raw and that too non-veg and I taught myself to eat RAW Fish and shallow fried Bacon. Let me tell you, for someone brought up in Brahmani house with indoctrination in Non-veg world rather late in life,it was the triumph of the first order! The lesson is ' Eating habits can be changed if you are inclined.' The world eats so many damn things, so in reality, food taboos are strictly 'No No !'
The Oslo Fort is known as Akershus Fortress and is situated again on the Oslofjord near the Oslo port. We walked down to the castle and reached within few minutes Nobody knows when it was built but it seemed that it was renovated many times. 

After entering the fort it was obvious that it was used for Military purposes once. There were barracks and barracks lined one after another. Once you enter the inner gate you see the actual castle. And it was robust, rustic, brawny and not at all like any other palaces or castles we had seen so far. Here me with barracks behind me and me brawny too, though one arm broken, but as they say, with 'Never say Die' Spirit. Exteriors, as well as interiors, amply make it clear that it was built in traditional fashion with a rampart and round observation towers at the corners. Still being under the control of military one is not allowed to venture inside the main buildings. Did not understand the logic but during many war times in the past, it was used as a prison. From Castle directly to Prison? Quite a journey! 

Spring was making way for summer slowly but some trees had their flora still glowing in the tender sun! The View of Oslofjords from one of its gates was picture perfect. 

It was small as compared to many forts but had its own rustic charm that was evident from its layout.







After exploring every nook and corner of the fort for more than 3 to 4 hrs, and collecting junk of information and knowledge that we seldom, were going to use in future, it was time to visit the city square where town hall of Oslo is built. The main entrance is on the Northside with special astronomical clock, that shows positions of Sun, Moon, Planets, Zodiacs and constellations too. Another peculiarity of the hall is, it houses art studios and galleries too. Though the construction started before WW II, it was completed years after the war and was functional only in 1950. It faces the Oslo-fjord on its southern side and has ' Chowpaty ' like a promenade. 

Oslo is full of sculptures all over. This Chowpaty too adorned them in large numbers. Maybe because Scandinavia is in short supply of Sun, nudity is never considered puritanical, on the contrary, it is embraced with open arms. So not only all the sculptures are devoid of clothes mostly, the clothes on the peoples' bodies too start coming off even with a rumour of sunshine!  Even parks Like Shivaji park are full with sunbathers in birthday suits, in broad sunlight, just YOU have to avert your eyes! 

This is the backside of the city hall and it faces  Oslo-Fjords. And this sculpture though is having cloth lying on her lap, she is more bothered about her hair and not the nudity!

 It was around 4 PM and we were roaming all over City square as backpackers forgetting about the lunchtime. We selected a footpath cafe for our lunch as it gives the 'Road Side' view of the world passing by. Nordic food is not entirely different than the rest of Europe but the use of Potatoes is in large amounts. We ordered for baked Potato dish, which was supposed to be the 'Dish' of Norway. While waiting for the food, we saw the life passing by and like 'Cat amongst the Pigeons ' there stood this peculiar statue on the other side of the road. This naked statue of half-man, half-beast obviously in an excited state, is on the main road where families come with children for an evening stroll. While having the food in the footpath cafe' it was extremely amusing to see the reactions and responses of the tourists passing by. From wonder-struck boy on the threshold of puberty to an experienced girl in her early twenties getting herself photographed holding his manhood, was hilarious to watch. And our reaction as typical Indians........ What a shame! [? Disgusting .... Ha Ha Ha !] 

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