Up, Up, and Away

  • Comments posted to this topic are about the item Up, Up, and Away

  • Hope you enjoy Oslo, Norway. I was able to relocate there for the company I worked for 4 years ago. It was also my longest business trip before I decided to move there. It's always fun being on longer trips overseas than within the same country you live in.

    Just remember, the airport is not in Oslo. Take the train, not a cab unless you want to pay over $100 for the ride. It's 3x more expensive than the US becuase of the Norweigan Kroner. McDonalds is going to cost you like $30 :w00t:

    Some tips from me

    Apotek 1 = Pharmacy chain in case you need meds.

    Gate = Street

    Salad = Lettuce in case you order a cheeseburger hold/add the salad.

    Taco = they call burritos tacos.

    Many know English, I believe they are taught it in school.

    Buy smokes at the airport duty free. Otherwise, prepare to spend $$$ for packs at stores.

    Most general stores and 7/11's carry everything you need including good food.

    Anything to Nationaltheatret is downtown Oslo.

    Visit the Operahuset when you can. This stands for the Opera House.

    Visit the Aker Brygee area if you have some time and want to see the waterway. Plenty of bars around to hang out.

    Visit The Dubliner for a good pub. This is the local favorite and has got mo co-workers drunk for years.

    American favorites can be found downtown either at Hardrock Cafe or Fridays beside it.

    You have to try the kebab street food that comes in a big pita you can carry. Put everything in it, don't hold out. It's absolutely amazing.

    Stay away from the lutefisk and rock salts. Do not trust the Norwegians if they tell you it's tradition and or good. They are trying to trick you! :hehe:

  • I traveled a lot before my daughter was born and loved it. Since my daugther was born, I only travel when then wife and kid can come with. We're all going to be in Seattle this year for PASS (they'll be getting rained on somewhere in Washington while I'm attending PASS). I would make a lot more if I was willing to travel but no amount of money can make me as happy as I am when I'm with my daughter and wife.

    Norway is expensive. Be warned.

    Have fun Steve!

    "I cant stress enough the importance of switching from a sequential files mindset to set-based thinking. After you make the switch, you can spend your time tuning and optimizing your queries instead of maintaining lengthy, poor-performing code."

    -- Itzik Ben-Gan 2001

  • You can get the best pizza in Edinburgh at a small Italian cafe called NovaPizza on Howe Street.

  • I'm sure you are completely sorted Steve but:-

    Edinburgh Fringe finishes Monday - meaning plenty of free street entertainment but also the "best" of British comedy will be in town - most shows are short - the quality can be anything but all in all it's a great experience

    Scotland to me is about the great outdoors though. If you are a walker then you could bag a munro - If you hire a car then you could be in very different country within an hour or two - and outside the stress of the city you'll get used to driving on the other side fairly quickly (concentrate at roundabouts though) - We've done the reverse a few times driving on the right in Canada (bonkers completely bonkers)

    Have a brilliant time Steve - and don't worry about us struggling with our SQL problems without you!!

  • You must, must, must... try and get north of the Great Glen. The scenery is EPIC, and there's a train (you can hire at Inverness). There should be the first frosts which will calm the midges down (but take insect repellent anyway). Fort William, Skye, Ullapool - they're quite a long way but so, so beautiful. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlloyd4075/24571777571

    http://www.invernesstours.com/images/overthebridgetoskye.jpg

    Most of all though, have a good time!

  • Have a safe, enjoyable trip Steve and I hope to run into you at Summit! 😎

  • xsevensinzx (8/25/2016)


    Hope you enjoy Oslo, Norway. I was able to relocate there for the company I worked for 4 years ago. It was also my longest business trip before I decided to move there. It's always fun being on longer trips overseas than within the same country you live in.

    Just remember, the airport is not in Oslo. Take the train, not a cab unless you want to pay over $100 for the ride. It's 3x more expensive than the US becuase of the Norweigan Kroner. McDonalds is going to cost you like $30 :w00t:

    Some tips from me

    Apotek 1 = Pharmacy chain in case you need meds.

    Gate = Street

    Salad = Lettuce in case you order a cheeseburger hold/add the salad.

    Taco = they call burritos tacos.

    Many know English, I believe they are taught it in school.

    Buy smokes at the airport duty free. Otherwise, prepare to spend $$$ for packs at stores.

    Most general stores and 7/11's carry everything you need including good food.

    Anything to Nationaltheatret is downtown Oslo.

    Visit the Operahuset when you can. This stands for the Opera House.

    Visit the Aker Brygee area if you have some time and want to see the waterway. Plenty of bars around to hang out.

    Visit The Dubliner for a good pub. This is the local favorite and has got mo co-workers drunk for years.

    American favorites can be found downtown either at Hardrock Cafe or Fridays beside it.

    You have to try the kebab street food that comes in a big pita you can carry. Put everything in it, don't hold out. It's absolutely amazing.

    Stay away from the lutefisk and rock salts. Do not trust the Norwegians if they tell you it's tradition and or good. They are trying to trick you! :hehe:

    I make it a point not to eat at any "American" franchise restraunts when travelling, and I wouldn't drive five minutes for McDonalds or Hardrock Cafe, much less fly for it.

    But that lutefisk thing looks interesting. I think you should try it, Steve. 🙂

    "Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho

  • alastair.beveridge (8/26/2016)


    You can get the best pizza in Edinburgh at a small Italian cafe called NovaPizza on Howe Street.

    Thanks, will look for it.

  • kerry_hood (8/26/2016)


    You must, must, must... try and get north of the Great Glen. The scenery is EPIC, and there's a train (you can hire at Inverness). There should be the first frosts which will calm the midges down (but take insect repellent anyway). Fort William, Skye, Ullapool - they're quite a long way but so, so beautiful. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlloyd4075/24571777571

    http://www.invernesstours.com/images/overthebridgetoskye.jpg

    Most of all though, have a good time!

    Thanks, we are thinking to try and get up to Inverness and maybe beyond

  • trevor.adams (8/26/2016)


    I'm sure you are completely sorted Steve but:-

    Edinburgh Fringe finishes Monday - meaning plenty of free street entertainment but also the "best" of British comedy will be in town - most shows are short - the quality can be anything but all in all it's a great experience

    Scotland to me is about the great outdoors though. If you are a walker then you could bag a munro - If you hire a car then you could be in very different country within an hour or two - and outside the stress of the city you'll get used to driving on the other side fairly quickly (concentrate at roundabouts though) - We've done the reverse a few times driving on the right in Canada (bonkers completely bonkers)

    Have a brilliant time Steve - and don't worry about us struggling with our SQL problems without you!!

    Thanks, hiking is on the agenda.

  • Aaron N. Cutshall (8/26/2016)


    Have a safe, enjoyable trip Steve and I hope to run into you at Summit! 😎

    Thanks, Aaron

  • Eric M Russell (8/26/2016)


    xsevensinzx (8/25/2016)


    Hope you enjoy Oslo, Norway. I was able to relocate there for the company I worked for 4 years ago. It was also my longest business trip before I decided to move there. It's always fun being on longer trips overseas than within the same country you live in.

    Just remember, the airport is not in Oslo. Take the train, not a cab unless you want to pay over $100 for the ride. It's 3x more expensive than the US becuase of the Norweigan Kroner. McDonalds is going to cost you like $30 :w00t:

    Some tips from me

    Apotek 1 = Pharmacy chain in case you need meds.

    Gate = Street

    Salad = Lettuce in case you order a cheeseburger hold/add the salad.

    Taco = they call burritos tacos.

    Many know English, I believe they are taught it in school.

    Buy smokes at the airport duty free. Otherwise, prepare to spend $$$ for packs at stores.

    Most general stores and 7/11's carry everything you need including good food.

    Anything to Nationaltheatret is downtown Oslo.

    Visit the Operahuset when you can. This stands for the Opera House.

    Visit the Aker Brygee area if you have some time and want to see the waterway. Plenty of bars around to hang out.

    Visit The Dubliner for a good pub. This is the local favorite and has got mo co-workers drunk for years.

    American favorites can be found downtown either at Hardrock Cafe or Fridays beside it.

    You have to try the kebab street food that comes in a big pita you can carry. Put everything in it, don't hold out. It's absolutely amazing.

    Stay away from the lutefisk and rock salts. Do not trust the Norwegians if they tell you it's tradition and or good. They are trying to trick you! :hehe:

    I make it a point not to eat at any "American" franchise restraunts when travelling, and I wouldn't drive five minutes for McDonalds or Hardrock Cafe, much less fly for it.

    But that lutefisk thing looks interesting. I think you should try it, Steve. 🙂

    Hah, I only say that because unfortunately, the food is not that great unless you get some fresh seafood. Most of the really good stuff is really expensive due to the high taxes of the country. I ended up eating a lot of American food while there. But then again, I am a spoiled American. 😀

  • After reading up on the process of how 'Lutefisk' is prepared, I'm left with the impression that it's nothing like the popular Spanish dish 'Ceviche'.

    http://mylittlenorway.com/2009/12/lutefisk/%5B/url%5D

    "Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho

  • Driving on the left isn't so bad. The trick is to keep paying attention after you think you've got the hang of it (it only takes a glance in the wrong direction as you're pulling onto a road to get hit). When I'm driving in Britain and need to change gears suddenly, I often find my right hand hitting the door. It's always a good reminder. As long as you're concentrating, driving on the other side is a lot of fun.

    The challenges I have when I go to Britain are the small differences. The roads are smaller and windier and with higher speed limits and there can often be a lot going on, especially in towns & villages. There can be a bazillion roundabouts on what should be a short journey. People stop for pedestrians even when they're not "in" the road (compared to the USA). When the speed limit drops, people brake much more suddenly than in the USA. And when you turn left at a red light, a lot of people stare. :hehe:

    Leonard
    Madison, WI

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 23 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply