Roman Holiday

Hi everyone,

Time for another update! It's been a busy two weeks: finishing my exams and immediately setting out to Rome, spending a wonderful week in Italy, and then coming back to London to celebrate my birthday (not once, but twice) and saying goodbye to some very good friends and flatmates.

Springtime in Oslo

A rainbow is a momentous occasion. TWO rainbows? Well, that`s extra special. I was blessed to see this beautiful natural phenomenon whilst enjoying some quality time with family in Oslo, Norway.

After finishing two exams last week,  I was more than ready for some R&R away from London, so this was the perfect getaway. My aunt picked me up at the airport & we spent three days hanging out with her five grandkiddies, who are all much taller than when I last saw them in 2008. I played ping pong and Wii with the boys and we attended a very fun opening event for the local community/art centre. I wish I 'd taken more pictures of the Art Collective...the space was picturesquely located in the woods next to a farm (with beautiful horses!) and every nook and cranny is filled with colourful artwork, intricate wood sculptures, silver jewellery, film studios, etc.

My neurons got a pleasant break all weekend & I had fun trying to follow the conversations in Norwegian-Chinese-Swedish (not to mention watching a movie in Italian with Norwegian subtitles!! At the Art Centre we watched Cinema Paradiso, on an outdoor screen, with the sun not quite setting because of course it is Norway in the summer time....)

Norway's Old Town

I also spent half a day wandering around Oslo proper, watching the changing of the guards, doing some window shopping and coffee drinking. I also visited the Nobel Peace Centre, where they have two very interesting photo exhibits on Afghanistan - from a soldier's and from a local women's perspective.

Photo credit: Lynsey Addario- In Afghanistan, Exhibition at the Nobels Fredssenter

It goes without saying that Norway is a beautiful country. My aunt has a theory that the good quality of life that Norwegians enjoy can be measured by the ratio of trees per capita. I`m being a bit facetious but my own theory is that people who enjoy their life show it by showcasing beautiful things...which are plentiful in Oslo. Regardless, I am struck by the poise and pride the Norwegians possess. It's certainly a country which deserves to be discovered. Maybe in another four years, I'll be back and exploring the fjords...

xoxo Miss Engagée