It doesn't take us long to get settled and then we're off to the city to meet Hildegard! Hildegard is another Disney alumni like the rest of us, and she completes our foursome. We meet her at a big fountain in Oslo's city center that reminds me of a peacock's feathers. After a quick lunch we begin to take in the sights. First stop is the Royal Palace; home of King Harald and Queen Sonja. On our way there, we pass a marching band. The girls can offer no explanation as to why there is a marching band parading through the streets today, so we can only assume that they have been assembled to welcome me and Lee to their country. Humbly, I say 'thank you' as they pass, although this was quite unnecessary. Up next is the Nobel Peace Center. This is a big one for me; I love peace. Then we spend time exploring Akershus Fortress, overlooking the fjords, and the brand new, stunning, Oslo Opera House.
The attractions of Oslo were fantastic, but my favourite moments of the day were the little conversations that I had with the girls as we traveled from place to place. We often walked in pairs. Hildegard and I would be in front with Lee and Marie a few yards behind. Then, in an act of flawless choreography we would switch and I'd find myself next to Marie.
The girls prepared dinner for us that evening- a secret recipe of Marie's design. This was definitely the highlight of the day. A unique and delicious meal, shared by friends long separated, over great conversation. This was also when Marie and I started to steal little moments of intimacy; a romantic glance here, a gentle touch there, a quick holding of hands here and there. I couldn't believe it. This is exactly how I had imagined it going in my head, countless times over the last few weeks. But was it really happening?! Was it possible that all of the years and all of the miles apart hadn't changed a thing? Or was it a dream that I would soon be waking up from?
And then I woke up... but I was still in Norway. In the Garden House. Yesterday was real! And Marie was next door, inside the main house. I joined her for breakfast and we planned Day 2. This included a trip up to Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the pride of the 1952 Winter Olympic Games, followed by hot chocolate at a gorgeous log-cabin cafe overlooking all of Oslo, and a tour of the Viking Ship Museum. It was another perfect day.
Lee and I decided to return the favour and cook for the ladies that night. As we fumbled around the kitchen, Hildegard and Marie dipped into the wine. Once Lee and I had things under culinary control I cracked open my first Tuborg of the night (it's a beer) and let the festivities begin. Over dinner and drinks the four of us reminisced about our adventures in Florida. We told embarrassing stories that involved people who weren't there to defend themselves. Lee and Hildegard had a chocolate orgasm.
It was almost time to go out. To a student bar at University of Oslo where Hildegard studies law. A few more photographs, a few more shots of Boris Jelzin vodka (no, seriously), and we were off. This was my first taste of Norwegian night life and I liked it it. The bar was beautiful, the people were friendly, the dancing was odd. We found a table and started ordering pints. Now, I don't need to school anyone on the affects of alcohol, but just keep in mind that by this point some of us may have had our inhibitions lowered and our confidence increased.
Lee and I were dancing machines!!! We had seen enough Euro-moves and decided to show these Norwegian fellas how things are done. No one came near us, clearly intimidated by the noise and/or funk we were bringing. I didn't want to embarrass these guys in their own country, so I took a bow and rejoined Marie at the table. We started to talk about our feelings. Likely, due to the same enhanced state that had caused me to believe I was the hybrid offspring of Usher and that old guy from the Six Flags commercials only minutes ago. We spoke of the past, the present and the future. And 5 years to the month later, we kissed.
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