Day 7: Oslo

In front of Slottet
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Today we started off on a bit of a late start since we arrived back from our Norway in a Nutshell trip at about 6:00 a.m. this morning.  We took a quick nap, and then headed on out towards the palace, or Slottet.  Luckily, everything major in Oslo is really within walking distance from each other.  We arrived at Slottet just in time for the changing of the guards.  It's definitely no Buckingham, but in a way, we enjoyed it more.  The guards seem a bit (and really, just a tad bit) less uptight than the English ones (they would whisper to each other occasionally), but their procession seems much fancier in a way.  Equipped with two different marching bands and all, the whole ceremony lasted quite long.  We also enjoyed it slightly better than the changing of the guards at Buckingham only because we were able to get up so close.

With the guards of Slottet
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We started to head out for some museums, but unfortunately something was wrong with Melissa's ankles.  We couldn't figure out whether the rapid descent from high altitudes (from the way back on the Norway in a Nutshell trip) did it, or if it was the extreme amount of walking we had been doing for the past week, but Melissa's ankles were throbbing and swollen.  Melissa wanted to continue on since it seemed a waste to miss most of the day, but TJ insisted on going back and resting for a couple of hours.  Melissa obliged.  We rested for a couple of hours, making sure Melissa's legs were propped up to decrease the swelling.  At about 5 p.m., we headed on out to the area known as Aker Brygge.  Since we knew from the start there was NO way we'd be able to drink anything besides FREE water (except the nice white wine Melissa's uncle bought us a couple of evenings ago), we decided to try to find something relatively "cheap" to dine on and just people-watch instead.  We found a great little boat-turned-restaurant right on the water (duh, it's a boat).  We couldn't afford much else but two appetizers, which we'd share (we figured we'd buy a quick "cheap" sandwich at Deli de Luca later if we were still starving).  We got the calamari and fish and chips.  The atmosphere was amazing.  Throngs of people on a weeknight.  We sat and enjoyed our view for a while and then proceeded to one of the many ice-cream (or "iskrem" as they call it) stands they have in the city.  Good thing, too, since Oslo is so incredibly hot right now (about 92 degrees!).  We were sweating hot and decided to order a "soft is" (soft serve ice cream) and sat along the pier with the other masses of people to enjoy our ice cream.  TJ was still worried about Melissa's ankles (they had only partially decreased in swelling) and insisted they rest some more.  Melissa said ok..... tomorrow it is.