Fredrikstad!

"Gamle Fredrikstad" ("Old Fredrikstad") is the charming, historical section of present day Fredrikstad, which is located about an hour and a half of Oslo by bus or train. Originally we were supposed to take the train down, but NSB canceled our train for some reason; still, they helpfully put us on a bus for no charge, and we were able to take the train back at the end of the day. And this, dear readers, is where we spent essentially the entirety of Friday--and it was beautiful.

The decision to make this trip was more or less impromptu; Thursday night found Tim and I trying to sort out what to do with our Friday morning and afternoon assuming the weather cooperated, and we eventually decided on this small town. I got the general impression, after we arrived, that this was the sort of place where everyone knew everyone else, their business, and their cousins' businesses, so I expect we stood out a bit as tourists. The gorgeous sunshine and relatively gentle cool breeze had everyone outdoors enjoying themselves, us included. We took tea (and coffee) at the adorable (and expensive) café across the street from this one, before popping over to the bakery for the best baguette I've eaten in my entire life.

The whole day was a series of "bests" to be honest. The best weather, the best baguette, the best rosé wine, etc. For a day excursion, I don't think we could possibly have done better if we tried, because so many different factors lined up to make the day fulfilling and relaxing in all regards. I even enjoyed "Gamlebyen"'s small museum and its exhibit on travel, which actually provided a pretty cool interactive element. On a flat map of the world was printed one question: "Hvor er det beste stedet du har vaert? Merk av på kartet." To translate, roughly, "Where are the best places that you've been? Mark them on the map." To my astonishment, someone had actually marked the area around Tuscaloosa in Alabama already--so I did my bit and planted a shiny green pin in Huntsville. :) It seemed only right, after all.

I must have a soft spot in my heart for small towns the world over, because whenever I travel it is always these smaller towns or communities that most leave an impression on me. Actually, I suppose that isn't a fair statement to make. I don't think any European city has gotten to me quite the same way Oslo has, since I've called it home for the past three months, and Oslo is definitely not a small town. But Fredrikstad possesses an incredible amount of personality and individuality that extends even to the small cemetery we found time to visit. (I've got a thing for grave photography, I guess. Maybe I'm too morbid for my own good.) I think I spend more time wandering around cemeteries than most people my age, save for perhaps my dear friend Joseph, and even though I always love my jaunts through Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, even the oldest headstones there don't have the same personal touch as the stones I wandered past. (Also, I didn't know this before I looked him up online, but Ragnar "Joker" Pedersen was actually a fairly well known Norwegian cartoonist who lived and worked in Fredrikstad, and even has his own Wikipedia article. På norsk, selvfølgelig. ;D)

Overall, one of the most delightful discoveries while planning this trip was how comparatively affordable it was--aside from one cringe-worthy moment where we discovered that a glass of Borg costed us a whopping 63 kroner. ..I'm glad I went for the rosé wine instead. Anyway, given how close the cities within the fjord are to Oslo, I expect we'll be heading off on more weekend trips like this in the future. Next time, perhaps Halden?

Oh yeah, and one more highlight:

The Google Earth car drove past us! Who knows, you might see me featured in Fredrikstad if you ever need to find your way along Kirkengaten, someday.

Hadet. <3