Election Day

It's voting day for Parliament here in Norway today. There is a voting station at the school of the girls of the family with whom I am staying, so the girls didn't have school today. I thought it was interesting that there is no school if there is a polling station.

I will let you know the results soon, PLUS I'm going on a tour of Parliament on Wednesday, so I should have some pictures then. One of the church members works in Parliament, so we'll get a guided tour from him!

But, since it is election day, I thought I would put up some of the sites that are somewhat related to the political realm.



The Royal Palace lies right in the middle of the city. I think the King and Queen were even in residence the day I walked by (I also walk to work on the side street by the palace). I learned recently that they normally live in an apt. on the 2nd floor of the palace.

The Nobel Peace Institute - and the decision table - is where the members of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee deliberate and decide on who gets the Peace Prize. I think the Prize is actually awarded in a a larger auditorium in another building, but I can't remember. I attended a Fulbright Scholars reception at the Nobel Institute and got a little tour, but that was on my 3rd day in Oslo, so I can't remember too well.

Finally, the lovely U.S. embassy. I also walk by this building almost everyday. Isn't it lovely?? I guess it was designed by some famous modern architect, but its not really too pretty, nor, in my opinion does it give off the friendliest picture of the United States. I have now seen the US Ambassador twice, yes, twice, that's right. He was at the Fulbright reception (I didn't talk with him, though) and then just last week, he was walking to his vehicle or something outside the embassy (but inside the gates of course.) I have to say though, it was quite strange and a bit scarey to walk by a man standing on the sidewalk with a large gun in his hand.

Oh, because school was closed we went to IKEA. For those of you who love IKEA as much as I do, it looked just the same! I did figure out why IKEA sells hot dogs though. Everyone here eats hot dogs, they are the quick food. 7-11 sells them, convenience stores, vendors, etc. There were a bunch of people eating hot dogs at the cafe part in IKEA! I even ate a hot dog in lumpa at the Norsk Derby - I'm not sure if I put a picture of that up.

That's it. Enjoy!