Cuz We Said So

Europe 2010, Day 4: Stockholm

Today’s festivities included a trip into the Old Town, past the palace, to the Nobel museum, dedicated to the prizes awarded in Stockholm instead of Oslo (those other than Peace, in other words).  Had lunch at the chokladkoppen across the square, broccoli and blue cheese quiche and white hot chocolate, of which I greatly approved.

In the afternoon we rode the gondola up the outside of the Ericsson Globe for a panoramic view of the city, then made our way to the Modern Art museum, where we saw an exhibit of the works of Lee Laszlo (1930-1999), who the museum assured us explored “themes of power, sexuality, and violence” in her work, which we learned means she painted many, many pictures of penises.

Europe 2010, Day 2: Oslo

Yesterday’s outing to the Nobel center was dedicated to peace, love, and flower power, but today’s trips to the World War II Resistance Museum at Akershus Fortress and the Viking Ship Museum in Bygdøy featured enough blowing things up, invading, and pillaging to balance things out. 

I’ve read a lot about World War II over the years, but I knew very little about Norway’s involvement, so learning about the Nazi surprise invasion and occupation, the resistance movement that rose to challenge it was worthwhile.  As always, the war is always a grim reminder of how good we have it these days, even during harder times.  As for the Vikings, the museum had ships that were remarkably well-preserved; the Oseberg ship, for example, was buried in the year 834.  It’s rather amazing to think that 30+ people would climb into what is essentially an oversized rowboat and sail all the way from Norway to Greenland.

We also visited the Kon Tiki museum and saw the raft that Thor Heyerdahl sailed from Lima to Rapa Nui in 1948, as well as Ra II, the papyrus boat he sailed from Morocco to Barbados in 1970.  Both looked more like props from Gilligan’s Island than something you’d actually use to cross an ocean.  Small wonder Heyerdal had a hard time convincing people it was possible.

Our last stop was the Vigeland Sculpture Park, home to the work of sculptor Gustav Vigel.  Easily the best place in Oslo to see many, many naked statues.  Not my cup of tea per se, but a good display, and a pleasant day (if chilly) for a walk in the park.

Dinner at Brunello’s Pizzeria.  I can recommend the Gorgonzola pizza. 

Europe 2010, Day 1: Oslo, Norway

In Oslo today, the first day of a two-week European rail tour extravaganza.  Got about two hours of sleep on the flight over, between the two meal services and assorted other distractions, so a seriously jet-laggy day all around.  A whole lot of coffee and a relatively early turn-in should take care of that.

One thing I was looking forward to on this trip was escaping US politics for a couple of weeks--so naturally, the first place we go here is the Nobel Peace Center, currently decked out in giant images of the sitting US president.  The exhibit was well done, showing the evolution of race relations in America from the days of segregation and the rise of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the election of President Obama.  The permanent exhibit was good too; I liked the display of Nobel’s will, which outlined the charter for the prizes that bear his name, and the LCD wall with pictures and bios of past winners.  One thing that struck me: the degree to which some Peace awards stretch he scope of the prize, as if the committee wanted to honor people whose great works didn’t fit the scope of the other prizes Nobel assigned.  Normal Borlaug’s work was a triumph of biology, for example (he developed dwarf wheat and arguably helped feed millions) but there’s no Nobel prize for Biology. 

Dinner was at Brasserie 45, on the way back to the hotel.  Catfish: good.  White chocolate mousse with mixed berries: fantastic.

Random observations:

• Lots of unfamiliar candy brands in the airport stores, including some unusual gum flavors (Eucalyptus and Salty Licorice, hmm.) 
• Lots of winter sports on TV.
• Oslo may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it hasn’t hit me yet; dinner was pricey, but I wouldn’t say more so than a nice tourist friendly restaurant anywhere else.  Maybe it’s rent that makes it pricey.
• Overall first impression: Minnesota with mountains.

Tomorrow: Vikings.

The Future of Airline Travel?

Frequent flyers should check out Andrew Lark’s post on Air New Zealand's futuristic new interior design, on its way to a 777 or 787 near you—if you’re in New Zealand.  I’d like to think this is a preview of things to come in the US market, but with our domestic carriers doing as poorly as they have in recent years, it’s hard to say when, or if, they’ll make the investment.

Ancient “Secret Bowling Alley” in Queens

A prohibition-era bowling alley has apparently turned up in a basement in Queens.  So cool.  History: one of so many reasons I love New York City.  (Via Guy Kawasaki.)

Pet Friendly Cities

I’m a little surprised to see Houston so high on the list… (we have pet friendly restaurants and hotels?  Good to know!)  But Boston is listed as number 3 because “leashed dogs and felines are welcome on the subway and harbor tours”??  I’m sorry, but I’m trying to picture taking a leashed cat on the T , and I’m not seeing it ending well.

Air NZ Staff Deliver Safety Video Wearing Only Body Paint

From Stuff.co.nz (via @GuyKawasaki); "The airline has decided to expand its use of body painted staff from advertisements to the in-flight safety video used on 737 domestic flights. It hopes to catch the attention of travelers ...who often ignore the safety video despite being told they need to watch it even if they are frequent customers."

Coppertone Sport SPF 50: Miracle of Modern Science

In the Florida sun for hours on end yesterday; with no sunburn at all.  Those of you who know how pale my skin is will realize just how impressive this is.

Should A Dome Cover Houston?

Well first, let me answer that for you.  YES! 

Those people who know me well know I am not a fan of Houston weather, though I’ve lived here off and on for many years.  I hate… and I mean hate the heat.  The humidity is worse.  I’ve joked more than once that I’d welcome summer in Houston as soon as somebody stuck a dome over it and fired up some air conditioning.

You know, though, guys… I was actually just joking. 

KPRC 2 Houston:

It seems like an idea from science fiction, a comic book, or even The Simpsons movie -- a 21 million-square-foot dome encompassing a city and insulating it from hurricanes, humidity, and heat. The Discovery Channel program Mega Engineering recently explored the possibility of a dome that would stretch out over downtown. It would be made out of Ethylene Tetrofluoro-ethylene or ETFE -- a light, durable material that withstand winds up to 180 mph, which is well above the speed for a Category 5 hurricane. …Air vents would regulate the temperature and massive doors would allow transportation in and out of the structure.

Bottom line: possible, but probably not for another fifty years.  Crap!

All Coffee Should Come In Cups This Size