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Scandinavia in a nutshell

Part Dos: Scandinavia 
The Scandinavian adventure began in Oslo, Norway. After quickly learning our Canadian manners had no place here... We loaded up our bags and set our sights on fancy pants Oslo. And were we ever disappointed. It is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world.... Why? Beats me. I expected to get off the train and be blinded by blonde hair and blue eyes. WRONG. This place gives melting pot a new definition and makes Edmonton look like nothing. After cruising through downtown Oslo we finally arrived at our prison cell... I mean hostel... For serious this place had to be a prison in the past. 
Anyway.. Oslo is fucking weird. They have naked people statues EVERYWHERE. We visited Frogner 
Park... Which was littered with naked men/women/child/baby statues. Some of them were super fucking weird. Refer to pictures below. We also saw a guy dressed like teen wolf in the park, and people were bringing their children over to say hi to it. Yeah because children wouldn't be scared to death of a big ass wolf with beady eyes. Apparently not in Oslo. Also I'm pretty sure every female we saw had a stroller or was prego... Children EVERYWHERE. Oslonians love to reproduce. 
We got tickets for the opera house for the ballet Swan Lake. Although it was super cool... I'm not sure how it related to the original whatsoever. There was a lot of dancing in a lake on the stage with beach-balls, a giant slip and slide, and banana hammocks. In conclusion: Oslo you puzzle me. 

      Downtown Oslo sunset

 Uhhhhh.... Baby tea bag?

    When in doubt... Kick the baby? 

Plethora of weird inappropriate statutes....

   Nailed it. Babies = evil in Oslo apparently.

Next on the Scandinavian circuit: Malmo, Sweden. We took a scenic bus ride, quite beautiful landscape. Trees, cliffs, coastline, canola, farm land, wind turbines and then BAM Ikea & McDonalds in the middle of no where. so magical. FINALLY we got some sun, the weather has been pretty miserable until now. We cruised down to the only tall building, which is apparently a Scandinavia pride and joy. We walked along the marina and gazed at the beautiful unique bridge connecting Sweden to Denmark. Any of my Top Gear watchers will recognize this... It's pretty cool its half above ground and then dips into the water into a tunnel to keep shipping port open. I was ridiculously excited to ride the train on it.

     The Turning Torso

    The Oresund Bridge

     Bridge lovin'

And the final stop on the tour: Copenhagen, Denmark. Said to be the drunk/laid back sibling of the Scandinavian countries. First thing I noticed was BICYCLES everywhere. I've been to Amsterdam, which I thought was supposed to have the most bicycle traffic, but it has nothing on Copenhagen. It's a sea of parked bikes and people riding bikes. I did a little research being the nerd I am and discovered 35% of the population here rides bikes to commute and they are trying to up that to 50% by 2015. Super cool! Too bad Canadian cities are gigantic and our public transportation blows. Next thing I noticed: the Danes definetly take the cake on the best looking of the Nordics. Yowza. Although I did love the rugged gruffness of Iceland... Danish know how to dress and are super tall and slender and just stunning. It's so amazing the lack of obesity over here. The family dynamic they have here is also wonderful. Shared parenting is a must and primary focus, most times even put before jobs. Families are always out in full force doing activities together. Just so different. Anyway... Less rambles, more pictures!

        Copenhagen Harbor

     So. Many. Bikes.

     The Little Mermaid


Germany was going to be the next destination, but I've been there before, flights are so cheap, and I want sun.... So fuck it, bring it on Spain!











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