Rights: Ole Johnny Hansen for afroginthefjord.com

Dating in Norway: the Strangest things only Norwegian men say

All of these are true, either experienced by me or some of my female friends. Okay okay, some I made up, not that many actually. Hey, no one said it was illegal to have a little imagination 🙂 You can try to guess which ones I made up though, a good test to know whether you know Norwegian society well, or whether you know me … Continue reading Dating in Norway: the Strangest things only Norwegian men say

The Real Reasons why Norway is the Best Place on Earth

This blogpost is inspired by an article published in The Huffington Post stating 25 reasons why Norway is the greatest place on Earth. Here are my own reasons Norway is that place. Before I tell you why I think Norway really is the best place on Earth, let’s get this straight: Norway is not the best country on Earth for everyone. Norway is the worst place … Continue reading The Real Reasons why Norway is the Best Place on Earth

Illustration: Ole Johnny Hansen. No use is permitted on another platform without the consent of its author

All I want for Christmas is…more voices in Tre nøtter til Askepott

“Oh my God, I am so excited that Christmas is coming!” says my flatmate. “Me too” I told her. “I love Christmas because I meet my family and we eat oysters and snails”. As I guessed from my flatmate’s disgusted face, that is not what Norwegians eat for Christmas. I started an investigation in Norwegian Christmas: What do you guys eat? What do Norwegians watch? … Continue reading All I want for Christmas is…more voices in Tre nøtter til Askepott

Illustration: Kristine Lauvrak, all rights reserved © Kristine Lauvrak & Frog in the Fjord

Harrytur: the True Story of Rich Norwegians going Cheap

Our trip starts at 8.30 am on a Saturday. My first question is: why do we need to leave so early? It is Saturday for heaven’s sake, can’t we sleep in? “No no, we need to get there as early as possible to avoid queues” say my Norwegian friends taking me on my first harrytur. Queues? We are going to the Swedish border, where will … Continue reading Harrytur: the True Story of Rich Norwegians going Cheap

Annoying things (some) Norwegians do

1. You know how some media say the biggest problem of the 21st century will be the lack of clean water? Norwegians usually let the water run for many long minutes before they take a glass of water from the tap because it has to be cold. Very cold, like glacier water temperature. While the rest of the world is saving drinking water Norwegians just … Continue reading Annoying things (some) Norwegians do

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10 Tips to Visit Norway on a Budget

Many foreigners coming to visit Norway get a little surprised, or shocked is probably the best word, when realising the price of things in this country. From transportation to food in restaurants, everything except maybe for smoked salmon is more expensive in Norway than most Western countries. The kroners (NOK), Norway’s currency, confuse you at first and then when you convert it to euros or … Continue reading 10 Tips to Visit Norway on a Budget

FINLAND – What to do in Finland? Get Drunk in a Sauna

It is finally the summer holidays, why write about saunas and about Finland? Well this year I had this strange idea of spending parts of my summer holidays in Finland. Every Norwegian I meet is like “You are spending your SUMMER holidays in Finland? But why?”. Why spend your summer somewhere North of where you already live? I just thought I would check out this … Continue reading FINLAND – What to do in Finland? Get Drunk in a Sauna

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How to Integrate in Norway?

Trying to integrate in Norwegian society? Don’t bother dyeing your hair blond and buying a Marius sweatshirt to look like those guys on the picture. Rather follow these ground rules to make it in the land of the North: 1. Pay your tax,. Don’t complain about it or tell stories on how you screwed the tax over (those stories will make you a hero in … Continue reading How to Integrate in Norway?

Where on Earth is Syden?

When one asks a Norwegians where they went on holidays, some reply they had a great time in “Syden”. “Oh Syden! Yeah right. Everyone knows where that is”. Mmmh well, Norwegians all seem to know, but it doesn’t really ring a bell for foreigners. My Indian friend knew the answer right away. When I told him I was writing a blogpost on Syden he said … Continue reading Where on Earth is Syden?