Slow Boat to Oslo, July 10

Finding the harbour and the right pier was a fairly simple task, I managed to not get lost and was there at a reasonable time. The path was well marked and the cruise ship-sized ferries were a pretty good give away. At the ticket window, I happened to overhear the person next to me order her tickets in English. Perfect, I had found a traveling partner. Although, I didn't yet know it would take 8 hours to get to Oslo and how much I would appreciate talking to some one along the way. I dawdled long enough so we boarded at the same time and I could make some inane comment about being unsure of where I was to go.

It wasn't long before we were friends and were sitting comfortably on the top deck with a beer - it was passed noon somewhere, if not where we were- and some sandwiches. My new friend was from Arizona and was on an internship representing a horse breed association during training camps put on throughout Europe. It was basically two months of traveling and meeting people who love the same things she does. Not only was it all expenses paid, but it was also a paid position. It is a pretty tough job right after college.

Our day was spent meandering and exploring the ship that was as big as I have ever been on. It had ten decks, two for cars, sleeping berths, four or five restaurants, a cinema (playing something in Norwegian I think), stores, a promenade deck or two, and where ever else we didn't bother to explore. There was enough keep some one unable to sit still, like me, busy for a while.

In Oslo, my friend had the foresight to grab a map, for some reason I opted not to. Perhaps I knew it would be a lost cause anyway. As it was, she had a worse sense of direction than I did. After some time and much wandering, she surrendered the map to me and I found our way to the train station. She was off to another city and I needed to find a place to stay.