Dear Oslo, I’m Sorry

Dear Oslo,

You are cool, there’s no denying that. You’ve got the hip, edgy vibe going on (maybe it has something to do with your angular Opera House) and you’ve impressed all the travel bloggers. A rising Nordic star, you’re pulling out all the stops with a distinctly disinterested attitude. Oh Oslo, you are so very cool.

But you’re just not for me.

I feel a little bit guilty, Oslo, because you never really had a chance. My love affair with Tallinn hadn’t run its course yet (still hasn’t) and being forced away from it before I was ready put me in a terrible mood.

Though, to make things fair, you didn’t make it too easy on me either. Overcast and cold weather? In September? (Ok, I should have researched that, shame on me.) My number one tourist attraction, the Mathallen Food Hall, closed on Mondays? When that was my only full day there? (Well, I guess I could have looked that up too.) And being forced to throw away my reindeer sausage at JFK because I trusted the butcher when he said I could bring it through customs?? (Though I think the customs guys might have been in the wrong there. They were too busy talking to each other to hear me explain that it wasn’t pork – three times.)

Maybe the blame does fall all on me.

Intellectually, you were very right for me. My first decent coffee of the trip, complete with friendly baristas to chat with. Brick-and-mortar bookshops, where I witnessed the most epic fight between an old man and old lady that culminated on her spitting on him! And, despite your general high prices, enough free sights and culture to satisfy my budget needs.

But I was sitting there alone in a warehouse-style, Brooklyn-esque, very hip bar, drinking my tropical thunder sour beer and wasabi stout, just waiting the hours out. And I realized I felt relieved to be going home. That was a new feeling for me and one I felt uncomfortable with. Happy to be going home? No, that wasn’t it. I was just happy to be leaving you.

I know it’s harsh to say, but not every place is for every person. Even if you can appreciate the culture and character of a destination, that doesn’t mean it moves your heart. And it’s important for people who travel to be honest – sometimes a trip isn’t amazing, sometimes you don’t fall in love, and sometimes you wish you were anywhere else.

I’m not giving up on you, Norway. I think we can still be friends. But next time I may skip your capital and go straight to your stunning countryside. You are so cool Oslo, but sometimes I need a little drama.

Have you ever been to a place that just didn’t click with you? What did you do?

Plenty of people really enjoy Oslo. If you’re headed to Oslo and Norway, here are some posts you might want to check out:

Five Things I Love About Oslo by Matt at Landlopers

72 Hours in Oslo by Amanda at A Dangerous Business