Atlantica - 01.06.2002, Page 34

32 A T L A N T I C A
summer day, is Norsk Folkemuseum (The Norwegian
Folkmuseum), which is the largest open-air museum in the coun-
try. There, more than 150 buildings have been gathered together,
mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, including a grand stave
church, farm houses, school buildings, barns and outhouses.
Ancient farming equipment, artefacts, clothing and furniture are
also on display. The staff liven up the museum by performing
age-old chores and tasks, and by wearing period costumes. I can
now safely recommend flatbread with a generous helping of but-
ter, mixed and kneaded without the help of a Kitchen Aid, and
baked over an open fire.
The beaches of Huk and Paradisbukten are packed with sun-
thirsty city dwellers today. Part of Huk is even reserved for those
wanting to bronze their birthday suit. I would not have believed
that there is a nude beach practically in the middle of Oslo with-
out seeing it with my own eyes. Though the beach is crowded
(both the nude and no-nude part), the atmosphere is comfortably
relaxed and family orientated. Many families are carrying well-
endowed lunch boxes and hearty packs of grill meat. As the day
progresses, the engangsgrill, or disposable barbecues, are fired
up, one after the other, and the scent of steak begins to linger in
the air. But Bygdø is not just a popular outdoor activity and
museum spot: many of the well-to-do (including the royal fami-
ly) own summer getaways on the peninsula. The Huk beach is,
for example, framed on both sides by glamorous villas, standing
on the oceanfront.
It is evening and since my hotel is only a few footsteps away
from Aker Brygge, I decide to stroll there with my photographer
for a nightcap. Every place in sight is swarming with tanned and
healthy-looking people, but we’ll have to stick to just the one
beer tonight, because tomorrow we plan to explore the heart of
the city.
IT IS EASY TO SELECT THE STARTING POINT for a walk around the
city centre. In fact, you have two options to choose from. They lie
on different ends of Karl Johans gate, which is not only Oslo’s
main street, but also the main street of the whole of Norway. This
is the street which hosts the country’s parades, whether on
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: INNER CITY LIFE; GRØNLAND, OSLO’S ETHNIC NEIGHBOURHOOD; AL FRESCO DINING AT AKER BRYGGE .
028-036 ATL402 Oslo 24.6.2002 15:44 Page 32