Out and about in Oslo - Day 2

It’s overcast but not, as forecast, raining. We have a full slate to use our Oslo Card to full advantage – The Ski Jump and Museum at Holmenkollen; The (Edvard) Munch Museum; The Nobel Peace Museum; and a Guided City Walk. We will cover the city from West to East and back to the centre.
On the way to the Ski jump we are somewhat by the fact that the T-Ban (underground) line is closed for work and we have to complete the journey by bus (shades of the Skytrain anyone?) which unceremoniously dumps us in the midst of road works too. Nevertheless we undaunted intrepid travellers take it in our stride and eventually reach the ski-jump which is so deserted that we wonder if it is open – it is! Turns out that this site of the first ever ski jump competition in the world c. 1898) is hosting the 2011 World championships again so everything is getting an upgrade. There is also a newly opened ski-jump simulator just like pilots train on – it is seen to pitch and yaw so much on the Super Slalom downhill simulation that FG wimps out – too hard on the back muscles! It’s cold and foggy, but we take the elevator to the top of the jump and peer down the ramp into the bowl at the foot that we can barely see. Afterward the museum of ski jumping – The national Norwegian sport that began with some hunters from Telemark jumping off heavily snow clad roofs. In the very first completion there Telemarkers walked off with all the prizes before they passed on their technique to the rest of the world.
Next we reverse our bus and T-Ban trip and head out East to Toyen and the Edvard Munch (Moonk) Museum, that was the site of a barefaced robbery in 2004 when Munch’s two best known works – The Scream and The Madonna – were spirited away, only to be found two years later. It’s hard to get enthused about Munch’s style however, and despite the guides best efforts this was more of an experience than a pleasure – Frankly one has trouble how anyone can get worked up by his work, except in a negative way – perhaps that’s the point!
It’s now pushing 2:00 pm, so we head back into town, to the Nobel Peace Prize Museum – Alfred I Nobel, although a Swede who made his fortune from the manufacture of Dynamite, left the bulk of his fortune to the Nobel Foundation which annually awards Prizes in 5 categories – Physics, Chemistry, Medicine/Physiology, Literature and Peace. The first four are decided on and awarded in Stockholm, whereas for reasons that remain unknown The Peace Prize is decided on by a Norwegian Committee and presented in the Oslo Radhus (City Hall). OK, so can you name the only Canadian ever to have won the Peace Prize, in which year, and for which reason? (Answer below).
It’s now (early) dinner time so we head back to Hotel Permalinen then, suitably recharged, return to the City Hall for the walking tour that, even after 2 days in the city, is very informative. We end up back in Christiana Square right by our hotel sipping wine and people watching. Seems that in the 17th century after the old city of Oslo had burnt down for the 16th or 17th time King Christian decided that the town should be rebuilt at the site of that square, and for good measure he unabashedly renamed the city – Christiana, which name persisted until 1925! The spot in the centre of the square has recently been recognised by a statue of a somewhat poignant forefinger. Then it’s off to bed with our travelling companion on “The Transcontinental” lulling us to dreamland once more!
PS – The only Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace is Lester B (Mike) Pearson, in 1957, for services to UN Peacekeeping. He had been Minister for External Affairs in the Government of Louis St Laurent, but when “Dief the Chief” was elected he went to the UN where he is regarded as “The Father of UN Peacekeeping” that began with the 1956 Suez Crisis. He got the nickname “Mike” from his flying instructor in WW I, who felt that Lester was too “pansy”-ish!