Made it to the concert -- with MINUTES to spare! Phew!

OSLO, Dec. 11, 7:45P, local time

When they said the Nobel Peace Prize Concert was the hottest ticket in town, there was no kidding around on that one. The masses descending on the Oslo Spektrum were impressive. And everyone was dressed. Made me happy on a last-minute whim I tossed in a black velvet dress. When in doubt for formal affairs, go black. When traveling, go velvet, or at least a heavy jersey knit; fewer wrinkles!

I truly was panicked I wasn't going to make the venue on time. After touring Parliament, I hustled to a close-by deli to save my life, because I had not eaten up until that point, which is a general no-no for this browngirl. Spotting a Deli de Luca, I sped there to snatch up a calzone, some chips, a fish cake (national staple), and a San Pelligrino orange soda. That tallied about $22. I did mention this joint is pricey, right?

Now this was the third Deli de Luca I had visited since being in town, so I kind of knew the drill. Until ol' boy asked to see ID after I swiped my card. Now, this was the first time I had been carded. So I show him my passport. Then he wants the passport number. The ONLY time this happened. Now because he was brown and I'm brown, I just wondered whether I was getting a reverse profile or he was trying to hustle my passport number on some black market.I was probably just being paranoid and prejudiced, but I didn't like the feel or his attitude. Maybe he didn't really think I was American or something. Anyway, hunger won so I acquiesced. Dude was probably just doing his job the right way, and everyone else was just lax. I'll leave it at that.

Caught the train. Returned to the apartment. Did the Daily News web chat. Changed clothes. Headed back out, feeling confident.

Until I got on the wrong train. D-oh! It was now 7:10P. Doors to the venue closed at 7:30P! Sheesh!

Made it with seven minutes to spare! Yay! Seats were seven rows from the stage, in the press area. I didn't even mind the monster camera lenses in front of me, or the Jurassic Park-looking video cameras that swooped by every so often getting just the right angle for the folks at home and people relying on the jumbo screens.

I was a little bummed that (a) my pearl necklace broke and (b) my camera battery died, and I could have recharged it while I was doing the web chat. I did manage to get a few shots off before Betsy went bye-bye.

The solo tourist

OSLO, Dec. 11, 3:05P, local time

Today was the first day I buzzed around town without a guide, no fellow American at my side. Managed to navigate into town via the train, off to the hotel headquarters to pick up my ticket for tonight's concert and even back to the Stortinget -- the Norwegian Parliament building. Joined a private tour of the place, and to my surprise, the guides were a major leader in Norway's Progress Party and a member of the Norwegian Parliament. So think like a U.N. policy director giving you a tour of Congress with a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Cool, right? 

Kristian Norheim, the international secretary of the Progress Party, was quite patient and pretty solid in his English, as many Norwegians are. He studied political science for seven years here, and took in a year in Athens as well. In his current capacity, he's been in place roughly six years. He described the Progress Party as our equivalent of "moderate Democrats. Or Regan Democrats. Not Palin Republicans. Like Obama." There are other interpretations of  its politics. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to wade through Norwegian political issues to the extent to provide more learned analysis.

Bard Hoksrud was the parliament member. He is a relative newbie, only in office since 2005, with four-year terms. Hoksrud mentioned that sometimes the grind is tough, since he's quite far from home and has a little one at home with his wife.

Both shared how the nation at one time had been territory of both Sweden and Denmark before going its own way as a sovereign nation, complete with its own royal family. Indeed, the Nordic history is rich -- and bloody. "We were, how you say, 'Vikings. Barbarians,' years ago," Hoksrud said.

The Norwegian Parliament -- Stortinget, translating to "big council" -- sets in the midst of Oslo. It is a building of considerable architectural style and parts of it date back to the 19th century. The interiors are regal and striking. There is also a great emphasis on public art, as it adorns the interiors as well -- from portraits of kings past to paeans to industry and progress. 

So midway through our tour, the bell rang, and members were called into session to vote. And unlike the Pennsylvania State Senate, the call actually meant a vote! While there is electronic voting, legislators stand to express rejection of a bill, sit to approve it. Each legislator has his or her own seat, arranged by county and then seniority within the cluster. Afterward, some of the ladies from Baltimore wanted to try out Hoksrud's seat, to see whether they enjoyed the feel of "power." 

Must have been infectious, because one butt after another was drawn to that seat. Maybe it's the royal bearings of the seat. I have to admit that Rosalind Seth (l.) looked pretty regal and ready to rock the house!

And I thought the Pennsylvania Legislature had ornate trappings!

Oslo -- arrival that never stopped moving

OSLO, Dec. 8, 10:21P, local time.

Well, I was NOT able to wrangle the window seat, so I was relegated to the aisle. By the time we took off, it was about my “normal” bedtime, nearly 1A. With just a two-hour flight, I was so just ready to shut my eyes for a few more hours than what that quick nod afforded. Landed in Oslo, and there was not much time to jump to the races.

The airport is quite modern in design, with hardwood, glass and chrome accents that are appealing. The biggest thing that strikes you when  you enter the baggage terminal is the big-behind “DUTY FREE” signage for the local shop. It almost looked akin to a small grocery store – or at least a decent-sized CVS. Your usual staples were abound – perfumes, candy, alcohol. Ever notice how the duty-free shops tend to offer those items that men usually would take to their significant other (married or otherwise) to smooth things over after a rough patch? Everything except flowers.

After taking care of myself in probably one of the cleanest and neatest public restrooms ever, I hauled my bag from the carousel and launched full blast into the day.

It's cold, but not as cold as at home. Raw would be a better descriptor. And gray. Almost like a flashback to Oregon. (Shudder) Love the train system here, with the clean seats that flip up so luggage and groceries can easily sit on the floor next to you. But they were NOT kidding about the cost of things here! Sheesh! I can’t say I can complain about much when it comes to food prices or travel in the States any time soon! Roundtrip on the airport shuttle: about $50. Quick calzone and drink: about $20. I haven’t blown this much money in one day outside of a mall in a long time. Holding the budget for the rest of the trip in tact will take a miracle.

Too late to fret over such things now. We are in full swing, after doing the post-flight-shower-and-change. The day's first official interview came at the Nobel Peace Prize museum. Two must-see exhibits are set for public viewing: From King to Obama and Obama: A call to action. The former tracks how the relationship of the two laureates and their supporters made this moment in time possible. The latter is still under construction and is set to debut Thursday. Will fill in the details about the preview I took in this afternoon after I catch up on some serious sleep.

Daddy O is set to touch down tomorrow, and watching the promo on the local news team proves it's gonna be bananas!

On a jet plane to Oslo

FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Dec. 8, 2009. 7:08A, local time.

Well, I can say it’s huge. Great shopping opportunities, though I am dismayed to see “New Moon” posters plastered on the windows of the bookstore/newsstand shop. I mean, really. You fly across the ocean to escape some of the mundane and less than appealing parts of our culture only to have it splattered in your face. At least it wasn’t more on the Tiger drama.

So the flight over wasn’t too bad. Never a fan of turbulence, it seems to find me whenever I fly these days. The forgiving part is that it was raining, so considering, the crew did an outstanding job. Looking further, it was a pretty sizable plane, and I had a window seat with a pretty decent neighbor, so I was good. A soldier, from Minnesota, southwestern area where it snows in the plains but no hills to ski or board. He was charming.

We both watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on our respective screens. Fresh-faced and anticipating a life in the service. Earnest. Spoke a few German phrases. Eager to get some rest. I’m sure he will have many more miles to go before that happens. I thanked him for his service, and said a silent prayer for him and his comrades. They all looked like kids, really. Younger than my cousins. I am probably almost old enough to be his mother.

As I sit charging my phone at this cubicle I’ve found, I realize the telecommunications companies have a true racket. Not a T-Mobile member, I don’t feel like ponying up the requisite Euros or dollars to gain access to my Facebook, email, or blog accounts for 60 minutes. Not when I’ll be in the air in about that time. There are plenty of other diversions I’ve lugged along on this trip, primarily on my iPod. Can’t beat music, books, and podcasts in that compact package. Kicking myself daily for not having bought one earlier, but this next-gen Nano is the truth!

It’s dark out. Rainy still. Locally, it’s a little after 7A. Will be boarding in about 15 minutes. The flight to Oslo doesn’t seem overwhelmingly crowded. Maybe I can swap out my aisle seat for a window for the two hours I’ll be on the plane.

Still trying to figure out how I will stay awake all day. Literally, we’re into Tuesday, and I haven’t closed my eyes on Monday yet, as it’s about my normal bedtime now. But after I’m off the plane, I’ll be on the go until well after sundown – especially since sundown is at 3P or so. Sheesh.

Now I know why they call Norway “Land of the Midnight Sun.” We’ll see how this sunbaby recharges with just 7 hours of sunlight to go on daily for the next week. Should be interesting to say the least!

Time to shut this down. Gotta try and wrangle that window seat in the moments I have before boarding.