Are you one of those that actually like to be told the history and the funfacts about what you see? I am. And therefore – here are places where you can get “the story behind” in Oslo!

Akershus fortress is one of my favorite places in Oslo. Here you can wander around the fortress, imagining the stage set to the 17^th century, or the 14^th if you prefer. If you like you can listen to the history being told from the 14the century till today. Students can get an audio guide for 50 kroner, but the fortress is only open Saturdays and Sundays, from 12-17.00, in the winter season. Anyway I use to just walk around in the outdoor area which is open every day, watching the harbour and closing my eye just a bit so that I only spot the sail boats. Imagination does the rest:)

If you are more into the rough Vikings, a trip to the Viking ship museum might be the thing! The exhibition itself is a bit dull; ships and some things on display in a very “museum –ish” way..but when remembering that these are actual Viking ships from the 9^th century, both used as vessels and as graves for powerful men and women –then they are quite amazing! The museum is open every day from 10 – 16, also in the winter season. Students can enter for 35 kroner.

Norsk Folkemuseum is the next on my list. It´s best in the summer when a lot of young guides are hired to give life to the outdoor area, but any nice winter day with the sun smiling down it will be a nice experience anyway. The museum is an outdoor museum with 155 antique buildings from different districts in Norway. Sounds nice! Student price is 85 kroner, and the museum is open every day from 11-15 (11-16 in the weekends). A tip from Kasper is to bring some food and have lunch among the old buildings. It´s possible to walk the one hour trip back to the city, or you can take the 30 bus even further to “Huk“. There you can stroll around on the beach (it´s more rocks than sand, but anyway) at Bygdøy, while watching the sunset.

Old houses: If you like old houses not placed in a museum, it´s good to know that some streets of Oslo have small tree houses from the 18th century. I love walking in those streets! They are still being used as normal houses, but are making a wonderful atmosphere to be enjoyed for all –without a ticket. Good streets are i.e. at Grünerløkka where “Telthusbakken” is nice, or go to “Maridalsveien” from Alexander Kiellands plass and upwards. “Fjellgata” and “Langgata”, close to Sofienbergparken, are also nice streets with the same vibe.

..and old factories! A stroll up the river from Grünerløkka to Nydalen will also reveal the old factories, built in bricks, where the working class heroes spent their lives in the 19^th century.

Oslo Winter Walks is another great concept. Every day of the week there are different tours around Oslo for 150 kroner per person. You can discover the area west of the royal palace on Mondays, or you can get guiding in the areas of old houses and factories at Grünerløkka (described above) on Wednesdays. You can learn about Edward Munchs life in Oslo on Fridays or have some guiding in the Vigeland-park on Saturdays.  Check it out!

I wish you all a great winter holiday in Oslo!

from Odrun

- Winter fun in Oslo

Just half an hour away from the town center you’ll find one of our favorite things to do in Oslo in winter: go sledging in Korketrekkeren!  It’s the perfect way to experience winter Oslo without need of any special skills or equipment. The 2,6 kilometers long roller coaster ride of a hill might be a bit scary for the youngest and most fainthearted, but otherwise Korketrekkeren can be recommended for all – both young and old. Rosy cheeks, shrieks and laughter guaranteed!

A historic sledging route
Sleding, sledding or tobogganing as some call it is an ancient concept and the oldest sledge known to man dates back to 6500 b.c! “Korketrekkeren” (eng. “The Cork Screw”) or “Korken” (eng. “The Cork”) as some call it is named after it’s twists and turns that might remind you of exactly that. It was landscaped in the beginning of the 1900s and goes from Frognerseteren to Midtstuen. It housed huge sledging competitions in the 1920s and the first ever World Cup in sledging in 1955. Nowadays it’s visited by all kinds of people, but mainly amateur sledgers like you and me.

So, how does this work?
Take metro #1 westward to the end stop Frognerseteren. You can use your own sledge or rent one from Akeforeningen or Skiservice. On their web pages you’ll also find updated information about the slope, if it’s open and what condition it’s in. Skiservice also offers pickup at the bottom of the hill on Saturdays and Sundays. See prices below.  Now you’re ready to go! And there’s not much to know, just kick off and stick your feet in the ground if you want to slow down. The trip takes about 6-9 minutes. And when you get to Midtstuen you can take the metro back up to Frognerseteren and do it again – as many times as you want! You pay for a full day even if you only go down the hill once and we guarantee you’ll want to go at least two times, so make sure you’re not in a hurry.

Insider tips: the hill is usually prepped every night and is at it’s best when it opens. On weekdays most times are good, on Saturdays and Sundays it’s usually calm till 11 or 12 am.

Have fun, but be careful
In order for everybody to have fun, you have to show a bit of caution. Use a proper sledge and a helmet and common sense. The breaks are your feet. Use them! And don’t stop in the middle of the track. If you DO fall off though, get to the side. There might be someone right behind you that might not be able to stop. Otherwise: enjoy!

Cocoa and cream
After a few trips we strongly recommend that you stop by beautiful and historical Frognerseteren at the top of the slope for a cup of cocoa (cream in the fridge!) and perhaps some of their famous apple cake? Yum! Together with the spectacular view it should make for a perfect ending to fun winter day.

Prices

Akeforeningen:

Kids under 18 years: 80 NOK
Grown ups: 100 NOK
Helmets are free if you rent a sledge

Only debet cards, not credit cards like VISA, Mastercard, Amex etc.

www.akeforeningen.no

Skiservice

Kids under 16 years: 100 NOK
Grow ups:  125 NOK Family (2 grownups+1 kid): 280 NOK
Extra kid: 80 NOK 
Pick up of sleigh (sat & sun):  25 NOK per sleigh
Groups/schools: contact for prices
You can also rent helmets, pants and jackets.

www.skiservice.no 

—

Text: Tara // Photo: private
Published: Thursday 17th of January 2013

Stuck in Oslo for Christmas? What on earth to do?! Here’s our guide to Christmas-Oslo and an explanation to some of the odder Norwegian Christmas traditions.

Jul-jul! Christmas-christmas!
The Norwegian word for “Christmas” is “jul” and you’ll quickly begin to recognize it as most things related to Christmas contain this word in some or other form, like “God jul!” (Merry Christmas!)

Advent – the purple holiday
The four weeks before Christmas we, as many others, celebrate advent and the big it-colour is purple. In the church this color symbolizes repentance and improvement, but even though most people probably don’t think too much about that we still all stock up on purple candles for our advent candlesticks. Every Sunday we light a new candle and we have our own advent songs with new verses for each new candle we light.

There’s a lot of baking before Christmas and some people still try to fulfill an old tradition of making all “de sju slagene” (“the seven sorts”). Many a housewife- or man have sweated and sworn in their aprons trying to get all the cakes ready in time for Christmas. Wanna give it a go? “De sju slagene” are goro (traditionally means good advice), krumkaker (curvature cakes), fattigmann (poor man!), sandkaker (sand cakes), sirupsnipper (syrup cakes), Berlinerkranser (Berlin wreaths), smultringer (donuts). But the most is probably to only bake one, two or three sorts and pepperkaker (gingerbread) is the most popular. You’ll also find a lot of the sorts for sale at shops, bakeries etc.

Romjul?! Does that mean we drink rum?
In Norway Christmas eve, the evening of the 24^th is the big day and the 25^th is mainly spent trying to polish off the last of the Christmas dinner and trying out our new presents. Christmas eve is called “julaften” and we also have quite cute names for the days leading up to julaften: 23^rd of December is “lille juleaften” (little Christmas), 22^nd is “bittelille julaften” (tiny Christmas).

The period following Christmas eve is called “romjul” and for many there’s a tradition of going out to party or club the 26^th. Perhaps because people by then are getting tired of just sitting around stuffing their faces? 24^th and 31^st of December most shops are open half the day and some people also people work half days. 25^th and 26^th of December are the only actual holidays, so all other days most shops will be open.

Vinmonopolets (The wine monopolies) opening hours:
All of Vinmonopolets shops are closed 24^th-26^{th of} December, 31^st of December and 1^stof Januar 2013. You’ll find opening hours for all their shops here.

What do we eat?
Every family have their own traditions. Some swear to pork, while people from the west coast often eat lamb ribs. Other yuletide hits include lutefisk (dried white fish) and cod. Turkey has also has become a big thing here, though most people probably save this for New-years eve.

The desert classic is riskrem (rice cream pudding), often with a red sauce. And usually people hide a blanched almond in the pudding, and the person who finds it wins a marzipan pig. Yes, a marzipan pig!? Not kidding!

And drink?
You probably can’t go to an Norwegian Christmas party without being offered gløgg (mulled wine). The most used type is Tomtegløgg that can be bought at all shops and spiked up to your own liking with wine or spirits. The more hardcore make their own and there are thousands of recipes on the world wide web. Gløgg is usually enjoyed with nuts and raisins.

There’s a lot of good christmas beers to be had. Our favourites include Nøgne Ø’s “Underlig jul” and Handbryggeriets “Nissefar” (Santa dad) and “Nissemor” (Santa mum). If your budget can’t handle expensive beers how about trying some julebrus (Christmas soda)? Most local breweries have their version, so it comes in every variation of colour and taste – all on the intensely sweet side of things! And people are very patriotic when it comes to defending their julebrus as the the best one on the market.

And last but not least: to burn off some of the fat people often have  an aquavite after finner – often combined with a beer! Mmm.

Other odd traditions
Land of the Christmas tree? Yup, that’s us! But even though we export trees to other countries some people still love their blinking plastic trees. Whatever tree you have traditional decorations often include homemade paper decorations, lights, norwegian flags and a star on top. And after Christmas dinner we “går rundt juletreet” (walk around the christmas tree) singing Christmas carols. This can take ages and some have long lists of songs and song activites they have to go through. Following the going around the Christmas tree session time usually has come for Christmas presents. Finally!

In “romjul” you might get unexpected visitors at your door, as people go their rounds of “julebukk”  (Christmas buck), a kind of Christmas caroling. Most people dress up as Santa or the likes, but some kids just turn up and ask for sweats so make sure you’ve stocked up!

What can you do?
Become a Norwegian – go skiing! Oslo is surrounded by woods perfect for skiing and we also have several parks and other places calling you to sledge and make snowmen. Try Korketrekkeren, the old bob track where you can rent your own sledge! For more winter acticities check out the winter section of Streetwise!

Christmas Shopping! Still haven’t got all your presents in order? Check our Streetwise-guide for tips to good places to go shopping. And try to avoid the big mall Oslo City unless you want some hussle and bussle. Otherwise there’s also a big Christmas market in Karl Johanns gate, right in front of Grand Hotel. Here you’ll find both food and gifts and all kinds of Christmas things.

Do something for someone less fortunate: put some money in “julegryta” (the Christmas pot), The Salvation Army’s pot for collecting money to warm winter boots, food, fire wood etc. There are several spread around town, but you should find one in the middle of Karl Johannsgate. Or buy the street magazine =Oslos Christmas special. The magazine comes out monthly and speaks the voices of the poor, drug addicts and other disadvantaged groups. They’re sold from most street corners and half of the money goes directly to the sales person.

And how about Christmas Eve? Join somebody elses celebrations! Christmas is all about sharing.

God jul og godt nyttår (Merry Christmas and happy new-year) from all of us at Use-It Oslo

—

Text: Tara // Photos: sxc.hu
Wednesday the 19^th of December

Åse Garten Galtrud and Helene H. Voldner

What will happen tonight?
Tonight is the grand opening in Spikersuppa, in the middle of Karl Johan. Ragnar Hovland (famous norwegian writer) will play Ukulele, and the norwegian princess Mette-Marit wil officially open the festival.

Deichmanske bibliotek, the public library in Oslo, also has their legendary nachspiel with licor served between the bookshelves. While listening to “writer-DJs” you can be part of this unique event, and maybe even dance on the bookshelves?

Is it something you particulary want to recommend the upcoming days?
Very much! Tomorrow Linda Eide from “Norsk Attraksjon” (Hilarious norwegian Tv-show ) will have her power-point show. She has made a book about conversations with her mother -I have seen it before, and it´s incredible funny!
I also want to recommend “Vår ære og vår mat” ( directly transelated: Our honour and our food) where Gert Nygårdshaug and Torgrim Eggen (Norwegian authors) have made a cooking book about their literary characters and their relationship with food.

Tomorrow there will also be “Litterary Death Match tomorow evening. The american Todd Zuniga travels the world to make the “Idol” of litterature. He choose four new young writers to meet three established writers through 2 rounds and an epic final! This will happen tomorrow night at Victoria National Jazzscene  (also in Karl Johan, located quite close to the parliament).

Is there something else you want to add?
It will happen loads of stuff in the city as we are the biggest book festival in Norway. Check out oslobokfestival.no for program. The festival is free and open for all! Velcome!

You can also find more information about Oslo book festival at our cultural calendar Kult Oslo:
Oslo bokfestival 2012

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Written by Tara, translated by Odrun 14. sept

It has in fact already started. Almost all the culture institutions have special arrangements and other cool stuff going on. And everything is free! Do you wanna try out Aikido, celebrate fair trade, experience good concerts or wandering around to hidden places at the norwegian folk museum? That´s just some of your options…   Check out an english version of the program at prosjekt-oslokulturnatt.oslo.kommune.no

“Mela” is Sanskrit and means “to meet” or “meeting place”. The festival seeks to expand horizons, and make art forms from all over the world known in Norway. The festival includes art forms like music, dance, literature and theater. In addition there will be food and stands with information of all kinds. They provide something interesting for children, youth and grown-ups. The festival is free and takes place at “Rådhusplassen”, close to the city hall and Aker Brygge. Productions where Norwegian and foreign artists cooperate are central to the festival, in addition to promoting local artists. And the Mela festival really is a “meeting place”; 300.000 peoples show up during the four days of festival.

The program this year includes Adnan Sami from India, Ferhat Tunc from Turkey, Omer Bhatti from Norway, Khaled from Algeria and Manu Chau. Cordao de Ouro and Tabanka ensemble will contribute with Capoeira and fantastic dancing. You will find many more artists at www.melafestivalen.no On Thursday the festival kicks off with concerts from 5 pm. Friday the program starts at 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm and onwards.

Don´t miss this free and interesting happening!

Kult Oslo, our cultural calendar, talked to Ellen Andrea Wang from Pixel and got some tips for the festival. She is playing with her band at Herr Nilsen tonight, and you can listen to their “indierockjazz” from 10pm.

Ellen Andrea Wang in Pixler

What should you expect if you come to Herr Nilsen tonight?
A good concert filled with energy and in the indierock/jazz –genre. There will be trumpet, sax, double bass, drums and vocal, and the band members are in their 20`s. We produced the album “Reminder” in May and got great reviews. Next year we will be touring in Norway, England and USA, and hopefully produce a new record in 2013.

What would you recommend at the Oslo Jazzfestival this week?
I really want to see “Østerdalsmusikk” and “Goran Kajfes Subtropic Orkestra”, both concerts that I think will be cool. I also want to go to Trondheim Jazzorkester with Stian Westerhus and his new «Ripples, Rapples and Disbelief”. Young Star will also be great! They are youngsters that participated in the festivals jazz-workshop last week. I did a workshop with them on Friday and they were really talented! They play on a stage in the middle of Karl Johan, and it´s free.

One room with a wide double bed, table and two chairs. Can expand with an additional floor bed. Good closet space.

One room with a sleeping couch that can expand to be a double bed or two single beds.

One room with a single bed.

Shared bathroom, linen and towels are included. Big garden with a terrace and a barbeque. 10 minutes to the metro.

250 NOK per night per person.

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Comfortable room with sharing of bathroom. Breakfast not included, but access to kitchen.

If you want to stay cheap and central this is the place for you. Enerhaugen is situated on a small hill in the center,and you will have a panoramic view of the city. On Enerhaugen it is quiet, with a vivid life in the area below.

Prices pr night:
Single room 300,- nok Bedding included
Extra person 50,-nok (mattress on the floor)

TV/Radio. Free wireless IP zone available. 10 min.walk from Oslo Centralstation and Busterminal.

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