The first ten days - Oslo becomes home

20/08/2013, Oslo

So I guess this is my first Blog entry ever... Hey there!

Actually I never thought of writing one before, but it's a nice way to share my impressions, cause seriously, even long Whatsapp or Facebook messages can't really tell a lot.

As you may know, I am staying in Oslo, Norway five months for an exchange. Now I am already here for 1,5 weeks and time just flies by, it's crazy!!

When I first moved into my apartment 11 days ago...let's say...I had better days than this one I guess! I always liked my flat at home, loved my roomates to the moon and back, but when you move into a flat with 6 other people and you only dare to step into the bathroom with shoes...then you appreciate it even more haha!! But I guess not having the biggest street of Mannheim in front of your window, but instead a tree and grass, makes up for it. And if not, it is the company that surrounds me in my student village for sure :-).

This little student village Sogn is slowly becoming home. Actually, I always don't like the first few days as much as other people do. Everything is new, overwhelming and sometimes you wonder if those five months will really be as amazing as everyone says...I guess that's the "Erasmus pressure"... :-D
But within the last ten days I started to feel home. You know, when you start to get used to everything. I totally enjoy this phase!! Having those weekly rituals as the shopping trip to Gronland, a place where you buy cheap vegetables and fruits and all sorts of things basically (other than the first days where everyone was starving because no one dared to pay 5 Euro for bread haha. I shouldn't mention that beer seemed to be the new food, but it was (still is?) true sometimes). Or when you finally make the way to the city without having to ask someone or looking at the map every 5 minutes (still not completely there though, but I try!!). When you experience a Norwegian Hip Hop concert, go to the student pub to get a coffee, talk about the upcoming elections here and at least partially act like every Norwegian student. And of course, when those acquaintances from the first days are becoming friends. I guess then, at least I personally, start feeling home. It is the little things that make you feel home in the end. Travelling and Sightseeing is just the extra bonus that makes you fall in love with the country and bonds you and your friends even closer together.

I guess that's it for the beginning, cause I'm gonna try out my first sports course today.

Hope everyone feels as good as I do (until the Cardio Class)!

Bye and best (but rather cold) greetings from Oslo