Day 2 - Friday, July 22 - Brussels and Oslo

 The flight was uneventful, arriving only half an hour late in Brussels. The fasten seatbelt light was on much of the flight but fortunately it was only slightly bumpy most of the time. 

We were concerned about the connection time but it turned out not to be a problem. Getting from one set of gates to the other was quite convoluted, going through two duty-free shops and the food court. It was like being forced to go through the museum shop when exiting a museum.

The flight to Oslo was fairly smooth as well although the captain had said that it might be bumpy.

Our luggage came out quickly and we were able to find the Viking reception desk outside baggage claim. The 40 minute ride to the hotel was in a very futuristic Tesla with "gull wing" doors. It sprinkled off and on through the afternoon but wasn't a problem. The temperature was in the low-60s.

Carmen suggested going to the Munch Museum after we had rested a bit - the museum is only 5-10 minutes walk from the Thon Hotel which is right next to the train station. The new museum just opened in 2020 and is very futuristic - we wondered what it was when we passed it on the way in from the airport. The paintings were large and very dynamic although Munch must have been quite depressed. Many of them had to do with misery, despair, tragic love endings.

We had a tasty dinner at an Italian restaurant at the train station. Carmen had mussels with pommes frites with mayonnaise and I had fresh-made pasta with prosciutto and wild mushrooms.  I had noticed the wait staff switching between languages and when I asked our server, he said that the staff was from Italy, Croatia, Romania - no Norwegians!

Carmen took my photo sitting next to some guy on a stone bench at the entrance to the hotel.

Carmen by Munch Museum

Our ride from the airport

David and friend in front of hotel


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