Oslo's Grey Glow: A Drummer's Damp Dispatch
okay, so i’m back from Oslo. And… wow. It wasn’t exactly the sun-drenched paradise I was hoping for, let’s just say that. I needed a change of scenery, a break from the relentless touring circuit, and Oslo seemed… quiet. Peaceful, even. Which, honestly, was exactly what I needed. My ears were ringing from the last gig, and I felt like I was permanently vibrating.
I’m a touring session drummer, you see. I bounce around, playing with different bands, different genres. It’s a good life, don’t get me wrong, but it’s… intense. So, Oslo. It’s… grey. Like, really grey. The buildings, the sky, even the water sometimes. But it’s a beautiful grey. A sort of muted, melancholic beauty. I just checked and it’s drizzling lightly, a persistent kind of dampness that seeps into your bones. Hope you like that kind of thing.
I spent most of my time wandering around, just soaking it in. I found this amazing little cafe in *Grünerløkka - Kulturhuset - with the best cardamom buns I’ve ever tasted. Seriously, go there. Just go. I overheard someone saying it’s a total tourist trap, but I didn’t care. They were delicious. I’m thinking of trying to recreate them when I get back, but I doubt I’ll succeed. My baking skills are… questionable, to say the least.
I did a bit of exploring around the Aker Brygge waterfront. It’s all fancy apartments and expensive restaurants, but it’s still pretty cool to walk around. Someone told me that the prices are insane, like, you could buy a small house in the countryside for the price of a single appetizer. Drunk advice, probably, but it stuck with me. I ended up grabbing a hot dog from a street vendor instead. Much more my speed.
I also checked out the Vigeland Sculpture Park. It’s… weird. In a good way. All these naked statues, frozen in various states of emotion. It’s definitely something to see. I spent a good hour just wandering around, trying to figure out what everyone was thinking. I’m not sure I succeeded.
I’m trying to get into photography, so I spent a lot of time just snapping pictures. Mostly of grey things. I’m not sure if I’m any good, but it’s a hobby. I’m thinking of posting some of them on Instagram - @drummer_sees_oslo, if you’re interested.
If you get bored, Gothenburg and Copenhagen are just a short train ride away. I considered hopping over to Copenhagen for a day, but I was enjoying the quiet of Oslo too much.
Here's a quick rundown of things I wish I'd known:
*Bring waterproof everything. Seriously. Everything. I’m talking shoes, jacket, pants… the works.
*Learn a few basic Norwegian phrases. People are friendly, but it’s always nice to make an effort.
*Don’t be afraid to wander. Oslo is a surprisingly walkable city. Just get lost and see what you find.
*Check out the local music scene. I didn’t have time, but I heard there’s some really cool stuff happening. Oslo Music Scene
*Try the brown cheese.* It’s… an experience. About Brunost
I also heard that the nightlife is pretty tame. Something a local warned me about. Apparently, Norwegians aren’t big on staying out late. Which, again, suited me just fine. I needed sleep.
I’m already missing the quiet, the grey, the cardamom buns. I’ll be back, Oslo. I think. Maybe after I’ve had a chance to decompress from the next tour.
Oh, and one last thing: check out this TripAdvisor forum for Oslo - Oslo Forum. It’s got some good tips and recommendations. And Yelp is pretty useful too - Yelp Oslo
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