Sep
08

Oslo the black and white city in photos.

I never really had plans to visit Oslo at least not now because I knew it wasn’t cheap, but was already in Stockholm and had a friend in Oslo. I had met her during a Street Art Tour in Buenos Aires & she offered to open her home and give me a place to sleep. So I thought why not I’d have a place to sleep and see a good friend so I went!!!

Even before arriving in Oslo I was already in a black and white mood. It was a transportation day and my first actual day being alone since arriving in Europe and as usual felt a million emotions. See transportation days always seem to be when my mind runs a million miles per hour and my thoughts catch up to me as I get lost in a gaze starring out the window. That’s one of the reasons I don’t like them. I had a fabulous time during Stockholm Gay Pride and exploring Stockholm’s Old Town, Gamla Stan, but for some reason on my way to Oslo… just couldn’t get a few things out of my head. I don’t think I need to explain what because by now I think most of you know what I am dealing with inside… anyway my feelings changed as soon as I arrived in Oslo, but I was still seeing in black and white.

I arrived after a 6 hour train ride and realized it was dark, gray and a bit chilly outside. I also immediately noticed people wearing black and just a lot of black in general everywhere. I arrived at the right metro stop and my friend was waiting for me. I was so excited to see her. That afternoon we spent it at home catching up and only stepped out to visit the grocery store to buy things to make dinner. The next day though she took me out and we walked everywhere. As we walked around I couldn’t help but see everything in black in white. The grey clouds helped a ton making me see it like that, but truly it was just one of those places where everything in my mind turned everything into black and white. My mind does that to certain cities and I don’t know why. It even turned New York City in black and white too. The next day she was leaving to Geneva, but let me stay in her place and I made plans to meet up with one of my Instagram followers. I met up with her and spent yet another day walking around Oslo and still seeing everything in black and white. Well almost everything…

Oslo Black & White

—That long gaze I get looking out the window on long journeys to another city.—

Oslo Black & White

—This is Hegdehaugsveien behind the Royal Palace.—

Oslo Black & White—An older couple walking through the Royal Palace Park in Oslo.—

Oslo Black & White

—Random houses I liked with a bit of tagging on them & construction going on along Akerselva near central station.—

Oslo Black & White

—Minaret from Central Jamaat-e Ahl-e Sunnat the largest mosque in Scandinavia. Interesting fact “Islam is the second largest religion in Norway after various forms of Christianity, with Muslims representing 2.4% of the population according to official statistical data.”—

Oslo Black & White

—The Oslo Opera House home to The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. It’s a very unique building. It was designed by the famous Snohetta architect company. They also designed the 9/11 Memorial in NYC and Alexandria Library in Egypt.—

Oslo Black & White

—Being a model inside the Oslo Opera House.—

Oslo Street Art

—Some parts of Oslo are literally an urban jungle!!!—

Oslo Street Art

—“Here comes trouble” – Found this painted behind a school while walking around Oslo!—

Oslo Street Art

—A fenced phoenix or owl by Chilean street artist @frankymiedo.

Oslo Street Art

—Random street art behind a piano and dumpsters in one of the back alleys of Oslo.—

Oslo Street Art

—Y’all know I believe. Do you??? • Found on the streets of Oslo. • They’re here already!!!—

Oslo Street Art

—Oslo was one of those cities that when I arrived I just saw it in black and white but it did have a few exceptions!!! • Loved this peacock painted on the side of a building by @frankymiedo & @vildejessrodin.—

Oslo Street Art—Rats and jazz!!! • Sometimes I struggle turning a photo black and white. This could easily be in b&w, but I really like the color of the art on the sides so couldn’t.—

Oslo Street Art

—Michelangelo’s David in Oslo!!! • This is my favorite shot during my time in Oslo.—

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Okay so the last 3 photos are not black and white, but I just couldn’t convert them. I honestly have a very difficult time turning any photo into black and white. If you know me you know I love bright vibrant colors. It’s just who I am, it’s what I love and so my personality too. Anyway… after seeing these photos I think you can understand why I think Oslo is a black and white city. Honestly as I walked around not only did I notice just about everyone wearing black and very muted color tones, but so many of the buildings and architecture are that way too. I think it just proves the Scandinavian style and what’s crazy is that I absolutely love the way they design things. Even though I love bright colors my minor OCD loves the way they are perfectionist in just about everything.  The last 3 photos are the brightest colors I saw during my 3 days there. Oh and I was also very shocked at the  amount of street art I found. Even in black and white Oslo is a beautiful city with lots to see and do. My time there was up before I knew it and it was time for me to carry on.

So now I’m wondering have any of you visited a city and see it in black and white too?

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Comments

  1. Hey Jaime! I love this blog, very fun to read, I’ve enjoyed it. I may have missed this in one of your blog posts but, Why do you choose lonely planet guidebooks when planning your trips? Are there other resources you use when researching a destination?

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Hi Matt, thanks for following along and am glad you enjoy my blog! As for why I choose LP. Honestly because they are so easy to navigate through and read. They get straight to the point. I mostly read through them before a trip to get an idea of the things and places to see. I don’t buy many but the ones I do buy I like to write in them and keep them as a souvenir. One day I’ll like to have them in my book shelf when I have a home…lol. The other resource I use is google. Just google a place and see what the web says about this place or do no research at all and just arrive in a place and figure out what to see and do then. Hope this helps. Any other questions let me know!!!

  2. Wow.. all pics are very beautiful and good stuff. really i loved to see all those pics.. after reading this article.. Oslo is very beautiful city if i will get a chance definately i will cover those places.

  3. Hey, they’re such nice photos, I totally understand you, there are some times when even my own city turns black and white. Anyway when a photo is good it doesn’t matter if it’s black and white or full color.
    Thanks for sharing

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