Last day of the year

These photos are from last year's New Year's Eve.

We'd like to thank you for your company and your comments this year. Hope to see you back in 2008!

Happy New Year!

A nice place to live

This is another photo of Holmenkollen - the ski jump. You can only see the top of it. This is an area where people with quite a bit of money like to live. The closer you get to Holmenkollen the better. The prices are high and the houses are quite big. In this area you'll actually find houses with grass growing on the roof. (Not in this photo, though.) In the countryside in older times, this was quite normal - but not at all considered "fancy". Now, rich people sometimes choose this, perhaps to show that they appreciate the culture and history?

Building activity

It seems like there's always some building activity going on somewhere in the city. This is from a part of Oslo called Røa, and as you can see they're almost done with a new building to the left in the picture. There used to be a food store there and also some private homes. As far as I know, the food store will be back on ground floor and there will be apartments above. I bet the apartments are already sold out - to an insane price (this is western Oslo, which is considered "good"). I wouldn't really want to live there myself, as there's a lot of traffic. Actually, I used to rent an apartment right behind where I stand taking this photo. It was expencive and always a lot of noise. And you can guess what my windows looked like...

A treehut

This photo is from last winter, when we actually had some snow. I went for a stroll and saw this nice hut that someone built in a tree. I bet they have fun playing there!

White beauty

This photo was taken the day before Christmas. I love the frost on the trees, it makes everything look like a Christmas card. (The frost and snow have melted away now.)

Peaceful

We have a little snow. Enough to cover most of the ground, at least.

Christmas Day

We hope you're all enjoying a peaceful christmas time.

Here's a beautiful song you probably know, sung by Jussi Björling (Swedish tenor singer, 1911-1960). Warning: Goosebumps and tears may appear.

Merry Christmas from Oslo

Oslo Daily Photo wishes you a happy christmas!

Here's a fun christmas song for you. This is The Travelling Strawberries' Støveldance. It's from a TV-series that was shown before christmas some years ago. Crazy humour and the songs were a mix of English and Norwegian. My guess is that you'll figure out the lyrics pretty well, even without knowing Norwegian. Enjoy!

In the blue hour

The time right before it gets dark, seem almost blue and is often called 'the blue hour'.

Snow for Kristie

Poor Kristie. Moving from California to Norway, she's delighted about winter and wakes up everyday hoping it has snowed. So far, nothing. Every other day she's posting about the lack of snow and it's painful to see her disappointment. Therefore, I had to tell her the truth.

I feel bad now, but I hope a few photos from snowy Oslo will help. This was taken in January this year and shows the view from my balcony (again). But this time it's almost blocked by all the snow. I remember I had to showel the balcony to be able to open and shut my door. Oh joy...

Well, Kristie... just be patient, you'll soon get more of the white, cold stuff than you've ever dreamed of, I'm sure. :-)

Santa's lap

More photos from the Christmas market. Santa was there too, as you can see.


I wonder how much electricity they use to keep all these lights going? Christmas is obviously not the time of the year when the environmental issues are considered.

More from the Christmas Market

Another one of Stormel's photos. :-)

Christmas Market in Oslo

These are photos from Stormel's visit at the Christmas market (the Christmas village) which is in front of the Oslo City Hall. Lots of lights, a small fun fair, booths where you can buy candy, Norwegian arts & crafts etc. According to Stormel: A mix of American* and Norwegian Christmas - a little something for everyone.

(*Norway is very influenced by American movies and TV shows.)

Ice cold beauty

These past days it's been really cold in Oslo. The temperatures have been as low as - 10 C/14F. No snow yet, but because of the cold; the frost is covering the trees and the ground. The morning I took this photo, it was foggy at first - but then the sun shone through and I could see the ski jump "Holmenkollen" at the top of the hillside nearby.

Spectacular view

Yesterday this strange, but beautiful and spectacular view suddenly appeared in the sky. I guess it was the fog, the sun, the cold, and the easy snow all together that made this special light. It was really cool! :o)

Photo: by Stormel

Christmas tree on the royal balcony

This is a closer look at the royal castle balcony. I really love the details of the ceiling.

Royal Castle in December II

Another photo from the royal castle. They seem to have a nice christmas tree on their balcony. That's the same spot where the royal family greets the children passing them in the parade on May 17th.

Royal Castle in December

This is a recent photo of the Roycal Castle in Oslo, quite beautifully lit in the dark winter evening.

The photographer is André and I'm asked to write that he's 34 years old, single and has a glimt in his eye. ;-) Thank you, André!

Mother and child

This is a statue in The Vigeland Park (or Frognerparken as we often call it). This park is one of Oslo's main sights; always lots of tourists. But the citizens of Oslo use the park too, it's one of my favourites places during all seasons.

More information about Vigeland Sculpture Park.

NB: Thanks to Kristie, I've nominated this photoblog at the Photoblog Awards. If you like to vote for Oslo Daily Photo, please visit this link.

By the way, no snow in Oslo yet, but we have some really nice weather these pre-Christmas days. Wishing you some not-too-stressful time! :-)

NB2: Please sign the emergency petition at avaaz.org: Stop the Climate-Wrecking at Bali.

Light in the dark

This beautiful light is in front of The Royal Castle.

Photo: by Stormel

By nigth

Karl Johan street, by night, seen from The Royal Castle.

Photo: by Stormel

The old king

This is a statue of King Haakon VII of Norway. He was really a prince of Denmark; Prince Carl, but elected by the Norwegian people as their king, after the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905. He and his wife, Maud - princess of Great Britain and Ireland, came to Norway with their son Olav (at that time Alexander) on November 25th 1905.

King Haakon was very loved by the people, especially after World War II, as he refused to surrender to Germany.

Prince Olav became king after his father's death in 1957 and became just as popular as his father, if not even more.

Dramatic sunset

Okay, I'll admit it. I don't have much inspiration these days, at least not regarding photo. I'm sure it'll come back (especially after I'm done redecorating the bedroom), but meanwhile I'll submit pictures from a time where I did have more inspiration. :-)

This is taken in Oslo a couple of years ago, in December, probably around Christmas Eve. And it's taken right outside the house I grew up in.

Behind the Nobel Peace Center II

This is another photo from behind the Nobel Peace Center. This yellow building is a extension on the brick building I showed you in yesterday's post. Earlier these buildings were part of the railway station that used to be here. At the time I took this photo, the two open doors you can see, leads you into exhibition rooms used by artists.

Behind the Nobel Peace Center

Behind the Nobel Peace Center... you'll find this old brick building.

Like a carpet

Guess what!?

The rain did wash away the snow. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to show you some more of my autumn photos while I wait for more snow.

This was taken about a month ago. As you can see, there was so much autumn leaves that it almost covered the ground like a carpet.

Snow for December?

This is an old photo, but it does snow in Oslo and it may seem like the beginning of December will be white. Unless it starts to rain again, as it often does.

The old university

This is the old university in the center of Oslo, not far from the royal palace. This is where the juridical faculty is situated. The other faculties are in the new university, situated at Blinderen. I think the old building is very beautiful.

The university was built in 1852. Behind the pillars you'll find the ceremonial hall, decorated with huge paintings by Edvard Munch. It's often used for concerts and other solemn ceremonies.

The parliament used the university as their meeting place before the parliament building was finished in 1866.

Oslo City III

If the shopping makes you hungry, the mall of course has several places to grab a bite :o)

Photo: by Stormel

Oslo City II

The mall prepares us for Christmas!

Photo: by Stormel

Oslo City

This picture is taken at one of the malls in Oslo. This mall is called Oslo City.

Photo: by Stormel

What time is it?

This must be quite old, at least they've written watchmaker in an old fashioned way. The modern way of spelling it is "Urmaker".

I think it's nice even though they'd forgotten to set the correct time. That, of course, is something you can't tell from the photo. :-)

Transportation

Some more about transportation in Oslo. As I've mentioned we have a great subway system (although it definitely needs some modernization). In addition to the subway, there are several busses to take you "everywhere". The blue tram is mostly used for transportation in the central parts of the city.

Karl Johan II

Another photo from Karl Johan, this time closer to the royal castle. This is right next to the national theater (which you cannot see in the photo, but is further to the right). The darker building straight ahead (with the little "tower") is where you can find Hard Rock Café Oslo.

Going up

This is the last photo from Stortinget subway station. This is the escalator that brings you out of the station and up to street level.

Subway decoration

This is also from the underground station at Stortinget. The decoration is not very pretty, in my opinion, but gives a cool effect. What do you think?

At the subway

This is from Stortinget subway station. It's a huge place where all the city's different underground routes meet. From here you can travel to all parts of Oslo.

Subway ticket sale

This is from the underground station "Stortinget" in Oslo. Stortinget is the name of the Parliament building and this station is right next to it.

This is where you can buy the tickets. The many booths were supposed to function, but they still aren't. They must have been there at least a year now, or more? But they have some trouble and meanwhile they can't be used for anything. Silly... :-)

First snow

As I told you a couple of days ago, we had our first snow this winter. I took a few photos and this is one of them. It was quite windy and the snowflakes were whirling in the air. Luckily none of it stayed on the ground. Well, it did... but just as water. :-)

Happy demonstrators

Last photo from the demonstration on November 3d. I think these to women are quite charming in their happy way of showing their opinion. :-)

The poster says: "The right to a language - children, young, adults and elders".

Deafs want the same right as hearing to an education, to participate in the society and the right to live in a home for elderly where others speak your language (the sign language).

My support goes to them.

Demonstration at the Parliament

These are more photos from the demonstration I told you about yesterday. The building is the parliament in the center of Oslo. Some politicians were there, listening to the demands of the deaf demonstrators. No promises were made, though.


By the way... it snowed today for the first time this winter. Not much and luckily it didn't stay on the ground. I hope it will wait a bit longer, because I don't have winter tires on my car yet. :-)

Demonstration in Oslo

A few days ago there was a procession of demonstrators on Oslo's main street, Karl Johan. They were there to tell the politicians they want their language to get a higher status in Norway. And the language is the sign language. There are 5000 deaf people in Norway and 20.000 who use the sign language. Deaf people want to have the similar possibilities in life as hearing people; they want to be able to choose the education they want, to take part in society like everybody else, to watch television programs etc.

The sign language is accepted officially as a language in countries like Germany, Belgium and New Zealand - but not in Norway. These people want the right to communication, but the politicians say it's too expencive.

Hopefully these demonstrators will be heard. The next couple of days I'll submit a few more photos from the demonstration, to show my support.

In this photo you see the royal castle in the distance. The building on the left is the parliament building.

Where only the brave will go

This is a manhole with the symbol of Oslo on it. It's Saint Halvard, the patron of Oslo. In his hand he's holding the three arrows that killed him and the millstone his killers used to sink him in the sea. He sits on a throne with lion heads and before his feet lies the woman who symbolises the victim he tried to save.

The story is that on May 15th in the year 1043, a woman was accused of stealing, but claimed she hadn't. She tried to escape and begged a young man, Halvard, to take her on his boat across the sea. He believed her and helped her, but the followers soon reached them on another boat and accused Halvard of helping a thief. He wouldn't listen to them, so they shot him with arrows and then beat the woman to death. To cover up the murders, the woman was buried near the beach and Halvard was dumped in the sea with a millstone around his neck. But his body floated and was found.

Later, at his grave, there were reported several omens. Halvard was martyrized as he had died trying to save an innoncent woman, and was eventually named a saint. His remains were later placed in a silver shrine and placed in the Maria church in Oslo.

In the year 1130, the new Saint Halvard church was built and the holy shrine was moved there.