As much as I love winter and skiing, there’s still an even better feeling looming when spring comes for real. Especially when there's a sudden increase in temperatures, where it goes from having stayed around 5 degrees celsius for a while to suddenly passing 15.
As I’ve written before, one thing that I have come to appreciate about Oslo since moving here is the proximity both of the skiing tracks – 15 minutes by metro – as well as the ocean. So on a day like this, it’s a habit to simply walk down to the docks and find a place to sit on the edge, dangling my feet over the water and looking out at sea whilst listening to an audiobook.
The sight I'm faced with as I arrive on the docks at Oslo city center looking out towards "Aker Brygge", the most popular place to go out for a few drinks during summer.
Walking over to Aker Brygge and looking back towards the city center, you can both see the iconic Town Hall at the center
The Oslo Town Hall seen from the side of the docks on the way around to my favourite side
This is also where the Nobel Peace Prize Center lies, now with the colours of the Ukrainian flag on display in front of it.
At "Skur 33", my favorite spot to sit and just gaze out at sea enjoying the sight of the fjord, as well as all the boats coming and going.
A view of "Akershus Festning", which lies just above the docks, from the place I was sitting.
I realize that while these are "everyday moments" here, and that there's nothing really special about the pictures, it is still something I've come to treasure. During my years in Paris, the sea was an element that was completely lacking. Only now, I see how much it adds to my well-being whether it is having the opportunity to swim in saltwater, travel by boat, or just have the air, noises, smells, and view that it provides.
What are some things unique to your environment that you truly like and that even though it's nothing "special" is still something you know you would be missing elsewhere?