When in Oslo

In Oslo, when you greet someone, you rest your cheek againt their cheek.

In Oslo, I took a taxi to the church and met a very nice older woman named Alfhilde Morteng. She introduced me to several older couples with twinkles and tears in their eyes.

I watched General Conference in English and heard the Norwegians laugh in all the wrong (but right!) places. They sighed in different places and said Amen.

I ate a small lunch of Browm bread made by brother Morteng. Each slice had different items assembled by sister Morteng; one with cheese and pickle, another with shrimp salad, another with liver. They were delicious and thoughtful and I heard the story of how the Morteng's met.

In Oslo, I was introduced to a girl my age named Anne. We immediately hit it off. She drove me back to my hotel in her new Peugot. She likes french cars so much better than German because they are soundless and smooth.

We talked for a long time about art and religion and boys and cars. What else is there to talk about? I was going to call JBR's friend Gaute and meet up with him later, alone, but decided to invite Anne along.

When called, Gaute said he was on promenade with Josephine and would love to meet up with us at the International Cafe near the hotel Continental. We drove over in the Peugot and many men stopped to stare. It must have been the car.

We reached the cafe and saw a "very tall man with a very short girl" just as Gaute described. We walked into the cafe and decided to leave because, as Gaute put it, there was "old party" there.

We went to another cafe and had drinks, sparkling water, cappuccino, hot chocolate, tea. Josephine left and we brushed cheeks. She was nice and intersting and Gaute said she is "the best time."

I had the best time. We went to Anne's new apartment with the big windows and the "old party" in the elevator ("that wasn't here this morning!" She exclaimed.). There were black and white photos on the walls of the halls of the river and how this old warehouse turned apartment building used to look.

She made dinner from uncle ben's masala sauce with day old rotisserie chicken and lettuce. Sun dried tomatoes were added to the dish and sun dried tomatoe dresssing was added to the lettuce. The flavors combined to create a beautiful quick meal with balanced flavors. That is a talent. Gaute said he would eat very little when infact he ate a very lot. We discussed cod fish and typical Norwegian cuisine, as I was very curious. Anne and Gaute both had much to say that was interesting.

We spoke of music and i suggested ray davies and gaute suggested the nitty gritty dirt band. He said he likes to get new music from friends because it is so much easier that way. I agreed and said that most of my music i get myself and it is very hard (you have to wade through a lot of crap).It is preferabe to get it from friends. We went to the same show in the states, him in new york, me in philadelphia. It was Death Vessel, Jose Gonzales, and the Books. That too was interesting.


The night wore on and mascara smeared and all was blurry and warm. Time to go home for all. Wishes to see one another again were expressed. Gaute decided to take a bike home, I was driven by anne. cheeks were rubbed and hugs given and sleep came quickly and quietly as I sunk into my soft norwegian pillow.

I had been awake for over 24 hours. It was worth it.

When in Oslo. . .