Norway

A Norwegian friend I’d met through tennis, Anine, invited me to stay with her and her family in Oslo. Having a local to show you around makes an enormous difference because you experience everyday life instead of just the tourist highlights. Together with her twin sister, Helene, who looked nothing like her, we explored Oslo’s waterfront, admired the beautiful fjord, and even went for a swim. Oslo struck me as a calm, well-organized city with easy access to nature. While much of Norway’s fame comes from its dramatic fjords and mountains farther north, I found the capital to be a nice introduction to the country.