Oslo: City of Love- Chapter III

The next morning I was alone in the garden house when there was a light knock at the door.  Marie entered and sat next to me.  For a brief moment I panicked.  What if she didn't recall what happened last night?  What if she did recall everything and thought it was a mistake!  I took her hand and held my breath.  She grabbed it tighter and I exhaled with joy and relief.   Then I leaned in and kissed her gently.  

Lee, Marie and I spent the day at Vigeland Sculpture Park.  Home to 212 sculptures of bronze and granite by Gustav Vigeland (take that Trebek!).  All of them, naked.  In a case of life imitating art, Lee and I posed next to several of the statues to the delight of the other park visitors (we did, however, keep our clothes on).

  

It was a beautiful day.  It was perfect.  It was more than that; it was movie perfect.  You know how in movies when the two main characters finally realize they're in love, everything changes?  Clouds part, sun shines, birds sing etc.  Well, that shit happens in real life!  The skies had been grey since we arrived in Norway, but today, like some sort of heavenly acknowledgement of how we felt, the clouds separated and blue skies were above. The universe was happy for me.  Here I was, in a  park full of the greenest grasses, roses of every colour, hundreds of naked people (in statue form), and the most beautiful girl in the world.

Marie was looking at me differently today.  Actually, she was probably looking at me exactly the same as she always had, but I saw it differently.  She has the most amazing eyes, I've always thought so.  They are so unique.  If the colour of her eyes could be found in a box of Crayolas the label would say 'Marie'.  Blue-silver with little flecks of red and gold.  Today, I could feel her eyes.  Like lightning.  The perfect balance of beauty and power; and when she looks at me, I mean really looks at me, it's like being struck by lightning.  I feel so alive when she looks into my eyes.  Yes, I'm aware of how cheesy that sounds, but I'm serious!  If I ever suffer from cardiac arrest, rather than hooking me up to a defibrillator just lock me into a staring contest with Marie.

As the day progressed, I started to realize what was coming.  The inevitable.  The goodbye.  

That evening, Marie drove us to the bus stop.  It is incredibly difficult to say goodbye to someone you've waited 5 years for.  But fate brought us back together once.  I have to trust that fate will bring us back together again.  And if not, I can only look back on those three days with absolute happiness, because for a brief moment in time, the girl of my dreams became a reality.

And then I held her in my arms one last time.  After a long embrace I gave her a kiss on the cheek and we said goodbye.  Watching her drive off I could feel a piece of me leaving with her.

THE END

Oslo: City of Love- Chapter II

Our first stop was Marie's house.  To drop off our bags and check out our new digs for the next two nights.  Lee and I would be staying in the Garden House.  That's right, the Garden House! Her family has an additional house in their garden.  It's an adorable little red cottage that appears to be right out of a Norwegian fairy tale.  The door is only about four feet tall and locks with one of those big old-fashioned keys that looks like it's more suited to open a book of magic spells or the door to a secret world.

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.  

Oslo: City of Love- Chapter I

And then I held her in my arms one last time.  

After a long embrace I gave her a kiss on the cheek and we said goodbye.  Watching her drive off I could feel a piece of me leaving with her..............

Intense, eh?  I know!  It was an intense three days in Norway.  Yes, thats right, I was in Norway.  I guess I'd better back it up a little: 

I have traveled to Norway to see a girl.  The girl.  Marie.  Five years ago, in central Florida, we met.  It was my first orientation at Walt Disney World.  A large group of young adults from around the world had gathered in a conference room at Disney University.  Excitement was in all of our eyes (and maybe a little anxiety in some).  I didn't know anyone but I felt right at home.  Working for Disney was my dream, and this was the beginning of that dream.  I took a seat at a round table on one side of the room.  I introduced myself to the couple of people already seated and then scanned the rest of the room with my heart beating rapidly.  And then it stopped.  For a split second my heart stopped, because there she was.  On the far side of the room stood the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.  I don't know what was brighter, her eyes or her smile (let's just say, had the power suddenly gone out we would have been just fine).  She was talking with a small group of people.  I imagined her saying something like, "Do you guys see that Canadian boy over there?  Isn't he cute?  I must have him!"  It was a reasonable assumption, only she didn't even know I existed yet.

The seminar began and the administrator started the agenda.  I listened intently, but all I wanted to do was burst out of my seat and shout, "Hi!  Young lady!  Yes, you!  I'm Jozef."  But I was patient, and when the first coffee break arrived she walked over to the side of the room and it was there that I met her.  I learned that her name is Marie and she is Norwegian.  I was so overwhelmed I can only hope that I pronounced my own name correctly.

And so, on the very first day I already had my very first Disney crush.  We became friends and hung out a few times within the first couple of weeks.  And one night, on the couch in her apartment, we kissed.  I'm sorry, that's not nearly enough excitement.... WE KISSED!!!  Now, I was 19 years old at the time, and my list of kissing partners was quite short (some might say embarrassing) but I had never, EVER felt a kiss like this.  I've never really been the guy who gets the girl, so I couldn't believe this was happening to me.  This really was a magical place where dreams come true!  Only, that was the peak of my romantic relationship with Marie.  One single kiss, never to be repeated.

Our friendship also hit some rocky ground and when I left Florida I wasn't sure if I would ever see her again.  We fell out of touch.  She was out of sight, but not out of mind.  Eventually, we regained contact through e-mail.  Then MSN.  Facebook and Skype to follow.  Over the years we started to chat more and more.  As the frequency of our conversations increased so did the intensity.  We shared confessions and apologies.  We spoke of the shared wish that we would one day see each other again.  Worlds apart, we were closer than ever.

A couple of months ago, as I was preparing to move to the United Kingdom at the end of the summer, Marie was preparing to move to Spain in the fall.  She insisted that I come visit her in Madrid.  I had to think about this carefully;  would I like to go visit the girl who I've been thinking about for five years in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world?  Yes, yes I would.  I agreed and started casually looking at flights from London to Madrid.  While I was searching I came across an incredible deal from London to Oslo.  I sent Marie an instant message letting her know and asking if I could come and see her in September in Oslo or if I should just wait until November and meet her in Spain.  "OSLO!!!!  Come to Oslo!!!"  She was so excited to be the one to show me her country for the first time.  She's so cute when she gets excited.

September 10th, 2oo8.  I stepped off the plane and let out a deep exhale.  I can see my breath!  I'm in Norway!  Lee and I have to take a bus from the airport to Lysaker where Marie is picking us up.  The bus driver speaks over the P.A. system and announces the stops.  He says, "Lysaker 1:25".  1:25!!!  What does he mean, 1:25!?!  It's just past 10am!  We thought the bus ride was going to take about 2 hours or less, and now we're being told that we've just begun a 3-hour cross-country tour.  I text Marie to let her know it's still going to be a few hours before we meet again.  At about 11:45 the driver calls, "Lysaker" over the speaker.  WHAT!  Already?  But he said 1:25!  Oh no.  I told Marie 1:25!  Apparently, I've just had my first "lost in translation" moment.  When the driver said "One twenty-five," he must have meant the journey was going to take an hour and twenty-five minutes!  I'll have to call Marie and tell her the mistake I made.  I step off the bus and reach for my mobile phone.  Before I can grab it my eyes lock in to hers.  Marie is standing right in front of me!  Out of pure instinct I wrap my arms around her.  I'm shocked.  Absolutely shocked!  Lee has to retrieve my bag from under the coach because there is no way I'm letting go before that bus takes off.