Geezers @ Sea: Architecture Edition

For our extension in Oslo, Viking put us up at the Radisson Blu Hotel across the street from the train station. We were told repeatedly that it was "a short walk" from the train station to the hotel. It was if we were normal--but as you know nothing about is "normal." One of our fellas is in a wheelchair and the other uses a walker. This is a fine set-up for the US--but overseas handicapped means something different. It seems as if each country has a different definition of "handicapped." Granted, we don't exactly know what "it" means, but it's not the same definition that the US uses. Welcome to the wonderful world of travel.

We rolled thru the train station, getting on an elevated moving walkway (which had a small "tripper" step at the beginning of it for added interest) before we got to the street. Then we had to maneuver a corner and some uneven cobblestones to find a long and winding ramp (not the more direct stairs) that led to the lobby of the RB. Everyone was trying to get off the train and into the hotel at the same time, and I swear "they" were trying to kill us. I asked one man if I could walk with the other DrC and he said sure...let me go first...so I did. We survived. There were no slightly sloping ramps. There were no curbs even with street level. There were no "lanes" for walkers or wheelchairs to use. We were sheltered on the ship...but now we were in the big bad world.

We finally got checked into the hotel and lucky for us we scored handicapped rooms. Except there's a 2 inch threshold that needs to be navigated. The shower was pretty good as was the surround around the low toilet. Again, every country has its own idea how to provide for handicapped people. Norway is no exception. Today we explored the hotel some, relaxed and re-organized our luggage for the umpteenth time. We were directed that we needed to leave the hotel at 4:15 AM tomorrow...our luggage would be collected at 7 PM tonight.

As of now, our luggage has been collected and I think we are ready for the flights tomorrow. Of the 4 of us, only 3 have been allowed to check in early. We have NO idea why the fourth member of our party cannot check in. 

To celebrate getting thru Norway without too many scrapes, we had dinner at "The Top" of the RB, a terrace restaurant. The views of Oslo were amazing. The Top is 34 stories above the city. It was a clear day and we took our time playing tourist and taking pictures of the cityscape. Oslo has some interesting architecture. Take a look:

The distinctive crazy-shaped windows decorate the white Deloitte building

Each terrace has it's own patch of lawn and there's a lawn on top of the building too

Oslo is a port city, so you can see the container facility...but I like the gray stripy building that looks like it is a wavering cash register...no idea what it's called.  

Lots of tall buildings...and there are cranes getting ready to build more

I have no idea what the big skylight is for...but it's there

The huge railway station with 20 or more tracks and 2 very interesting bridges--you can see the Deloitte building again

Lastly, tucked away in the modernity, is an old copper covered spire...it might be a church...it might be the old City Hall. I don't know. If you deeply examine the cityscape, you can see the growth of the city by the different architectural styles.

We have an early get up tomorrow, so I'll close for now. It's been a good adventure following the trade routes of ancient Europe (which was the name of our cruise).