During my recent trip to Oslo, I was amazed by the tranquility of the city. It felt like a world apart from the constant hustle and bustle we experience in the US due to the news cycle. I took notes of the serene atmosphere: Parents confidently leave their baby carriages on the sidewalk as they briefly step into stores for shopping. The city center is almost traffic-free, with the soothing sounds of birds in the air. Most cars you see are electric, with Tesla being the top-selling car in Norway. A “congestion fee” discourages cars from entering the city center, while a tunnel diverts traffic away from the harborfront.
Reflecting on memories from my childhood visits, I observed a weathered sailor selling the last of his morning-caught shrimp at the harbor before sunset. The former yellow train station is now the Nobel Peace Center, honoring the legacy of a man who used his dynamite fortune to promote peace. Just across the street stands the iconic City Hall, decorated with statues paying tribute to laborers and overlooking the bustling harbor.
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A gentle mist hovers over Oslo as the harborfront boardwalk sparkles like a dance floor awaiting the city’s residents. I watched around a hundred Norwegians swing dancing under umbrellas to classic tunes played by a DJ, embodying a microcosm of contented society. The familiar melodies were accompanied by unfamiliar Norwegian lyrics, creating a harmonious blend.
One of the aspects that fascinates me about Norway is its approach to governance. Local residents often explain why they don’t mind the high taxes, citing unique benefits like “half tax month” in November to provide extra holiday spending money. Post-pandemic, Nordic countries like Norway experienced a baby boom, attributed to generous parental leave policies and tax incentives for newborns.
In Scandinavia, a shift towards a smoke-free environment is evident. Traditional “brown cafés” now offer outdoor smoking areas, with locals opting for snuff indoors. Oslo’s parks teem with families enjoying barbecues on disposable grills, accompanied by a relaxed attitude towards nudity, particularly among children playing freely in public spaces.
Scandinavians have a relaxed attitude towards nudity, evident in their television programming and public facilities. Norway’s mixed PE classes and casual approach to nudity highlight cultural differences compared to the US. Travel exposes me to diverse ways of living, reinforcing the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to life.
(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)