May 13, 2013 - back in Alaska?

The sail down Oslo Fjord reminded us of last summer in Alaska. Cool temperature, low hanging heavy clouds. Close examination of the buildings showed a different architectural style; picturesque homes dotted the green hillsides. If there was a flat spot, someone had built a home there. We were also left with the impression that every Norwegian must own a boat. Oslo is a wonderful city to visit by cruise ship. The dock is right down town; many stores and museums are within walking distance. However, this is definitely a window shopping sort...

Sep 4, 2012 - Oslo

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND The city was founded in 1049 by King Harald Hardråke (Harald Hardruler). The name was derived from Old Norse word for God Ås and lo (meaning pasture). For that reason, Oslo could mean ‘field of the gods’. In the late 13th century King Håkon V built the Akerhus Fortress in order to establish a military presence and hopefully deter the Swedes threatening from the east. The bubonic plague wiped out half the population of Norway in the middle of the 14th century, and as a consequence the country united with Denmark. From 1397...

Sep 3, 2012 - On To Scandinavia

@@@@@@@ We really had a day and a half in Iceland because we arrived early the first morning, but booked our flight to Oslo in the late afternoon thinking we would be able to see even more of the area surrounding the airport. However, after a gloriously warm sunny day, we awoke to driving rain and high winds. What a difference a day makes. We sat looking out the windows in the sitting room at our guesthouse and noticed some poor tourists dragging their suitcases behind them as they walked around the tiny harbour and into the little town of...

Aug 1, 2012 - Downtown Oslo

Today is our first day at grandma and grandpa's house in Oslo. It was a beautiful day but I was a little shocked to see the sun shining since the forecast had predicted rain. After a nice breakfast we decided to go into town. We have some fun things planned for these 6 days we are going to be here. Today Eric wanted to go into town and we all thought that was a good idea, even Milo, the dog =) We walked around a few stores, had lunch and walked by the parliament building that got blown up last year right before the massacre out on utoya...

May 21, 2012 - Oslo, Norway - Day 13

On the last day in Oslo, the team visited University of Oslo. During the visit, we discussed the curriculum of Norway for student pharmacists with Professor Espen Molden and Professor Sverre Sande, head of the pharmacy school. Both Professors were able to educate the team on many aspects of academia relating to pharmacy. Some of the interesting facts learned by the team include: • Norway, since it is a relatively new independent country, is able to make dramatic changes to the practice of pharmacy • The masters of pharmacy is an integrated...

May 20, 2012 - Oslo, Norway - Day 12

Sunday, May 20th is a leisure day for the PharmScan team. I enjoyed breakfast at the Anker Hotel (right next to the Anker Hostel). From the Buffet, I selected the pickled herring. Delicious. I had American-like items too, like scrambled eggs, sausage, jelly on toast, juice, and coffee. Although I haven't seen any of the students today (2:00 pm) local time, I know that they are enjoying today's beautiful weather. Some are hiking, sight-seeing, shopping (yikes-very expensive), some are doing laundry or just relaxing. We have a group Academic...

May 18, 2012 - Oslo, Norway - Day 10

The team’s second day in Oslo, Norway was spent with various leaders in community and administrative pharmacy. The first visit was to Apotek1, which is the third biggest pharmacy in the largest of 3 national chains that have the majority share of community pharmacy. While visiting the pharmacy, the team learned of the unique situation community pharmacies are in. In Norway, the push for community pharmacy has been to increase the sales of OTC and beauty products. This is primarily due to a structured decrease in margin for generic...

May 17, 2012 - Oslo, Norway - Day 9

Oslo, Norway The 17th of May is Constitution Day in Norway. For members of PharmScan2012 it started by taking the metro train to the University of Oslo Pharmacy building. While on the train, the team was lucky enough to encounter some of the band members that would be playing in the parade. They played music during the trip and made the morning commute quite memorable. First year student pharmacists Magnus and Krister were kind enough to escort the team to the school from the rail station. Once the team arrived, we were very impressed by...

Feb 18, 2012 - Schizo Scandanavia

Quick update here...in Oslo, finally figured out my transport after a missed plane flight and cruise ship (pay for neither fortunately). Stop in Gotenburg (Sweden) tonight, Copenhagen tomorrow, and a night train to Amsterdam tomorrow. Can't wait for Monday :)

Feb 16, 2012 - Rail Time

Not too much to update...lots of time on trains the reason. Stockholm to Oslo yesterday, Oslo to Bergen last night, and Bergen to Flam this morning (still there). Norway is quite expensive so I've had to be quick and careful. Yesterday, saw the Skansen folk museum and the Vasa warship in Stockholm...a ship that never sailed because it was too heavy from the cannons, dumb engineers. Today, rode a boat through the fjords between Flam and Gudvangen. Breathtaking views of the mountains speckled with tiny waterside towns. Tomorrow will spend...

Jul 31, 2011 - Oslo, Norway

Oslo is the capital of Norway. With a population of only 460,000, it is the least densely populated capital city in Europe. The approach and departure within Oslo Fjord affords cruise ship guests a wonderful opportunity to view the natural scenery as well as little villages, historic Oscarborg Fort and the environs of Oslo itself. It is another beautiful day, quite warm. We walked off the ship and took a ferry to the Fram Museum, the Maritime and Kon Tiki Museums which are all in the same area. They were all very good. We then walked to the...

Jul 22, 2011 - A Sad Day in Norway

Our time in Norway certainly ended on a sad note. We were on our way back to Oslo from our hiking trip on the day of the bombing and shooting. The news was a shock to us and even more so to our Norwegian hiking friends. When we arrived late in the evening in Oslo everything seemed calm. But, a few blocks from the train station, while walking to our hotel, we started to see broken glass on the streets and police tape and barricades everywhere. We were about 3 blocks from our hotel when we realized our hotel must have been in the blast zone....