Postscript: Conversations

One of the best things about travelling, whether it's at home or abroad, are the conversations had with strangers. It's one of the best ways to learn things about wherever you are. I'm known for striking up conversations with strangers in all sorts of places. Here are a collection of some of the things I've learnt to date.

Helsinki, Finland

Our Ecuadorean taxi driver gave us some tips for where to eat in Helsinki, which included sushi and Italian, but not traditional Finnish food.

One of the Market Square stall holders selling cat tail key rings, reindeer hides, mink hats and fur-lined gloves, told me the cat tails were actually kittens, then showed me the fox tails. He told me they were farmed, including being given hormones to make them big enough to produce impressive pelts and tails.



Market Square, Helsinki

The taxi driver who returned us to the airport in Helsinki, said that when they do road works through the old city, they pull up the cobblestones to undertake work, before painstakingly replacing them again. These are cobblestones that while having witnessed incredible history are hell on bikes and high heels alike.

Copenhagen, Denmark

I asked the ticket seller at the canal cruise box office for two tickets for the cruise. He asked me how big was the boat? I look puzzled, until he shrugged over his shoulder towards the canal and said, "Oh, that boat! Sorry, I just had someone asking about a cruise ship. My boat isn't that big." OK, I didn't really learn anything except that young, Viking-looking Dane ticket sellers have a sense of humour.


Enjoying a beer on the smaller cruise, Copenhagen

Asking a museum attendant at the National Museum where the Viking exhibition was, he promptly asked us to follow him (at quite a pace) through a series of rooms (from end to start) until we reached the entrance of the exhibit. On the way, he prompted two visitors to remove their backpacks from their back at the same time as telling me the exhibition (which filled some 6-7 rooms) didn't show as much as some would expect as they (archaeologists) hadn't found as many Viking artefacts as some people have thought. I was impressed all the same.

Viking war ship, National Museum, Copenhagen

On Day 5 in Copenhagen, we wandered the streets only blocks from our hotel, looking for a quieter day. After going our separate directions for an hour we rendezvoused back outside the Round Tower. Seeing stall holders under a colonade nearby, we wandered over to be lured into tasting a wide range of Viking drinks - most of them alcholic mixes, including brandy. The name of the stall and drinks grabbed my attention - Valraven. Keen to glean some local knowledge of ravens, I asked about the ravens relationship to the Norse Gods, after whom the drinks were named. Ravens are shape changing, all knowing creatures who can be messengers to the gods or the gods themselves. After some discussion, I found out that ravens are in fact rare in Denmark, with the crow more commonly seen. Apparently, ravens are more commonly seen in Sweden though.


Valravn, traditional Viking Drink


This jackdaw (sorry, not a hooded crows as previously thought) was photographed in Helsinki, but appears very similar to the ones seen around Copenhagen

Stockholm, Sweden

I called into a Scandinavian design store in central Stockholm to grab a belated birthday present for Cam (it was actually on the day, and he was with me in the store). Having successfully smuggled a gift towards the counter to pay, I ended up in conversation with the retail manager about my shoes. My city walking shoes are metallic sneakers by Aussie brand, Frankie 4 - a brand I'm particularly fond of. She explained that she's more of a heels type of girl but her boyfriend had convinced her to wear sneakers, which she was now wearing at work. I said I'd noticed many people wearing sneakers with all types of outfits across Denmark and Sweden. She explained that people are seeking more comfort in their lives and keen to be able to travel by bike around the city. I hear ya about the comfort thing! I said I couldn't imagine wearing heels on the cobblestone streets of these Nordic cities. She agreed it was difficult but it was still her preference.

We then got into a conversation about my residency in Iceland and she advised me to take lots of warm layers and stock up on good food! Not having been there herself, her friend is living there. Apparently she doesn't think much of the food. I was advised Swedish ryebread would be a good alternative to rice, pasta and couscous.

Oslo, Norway

Ducking into a food market in Oslo S (Central Station) after securing seat reservations for the train to Bergen, we got into conversation with the owner of the store about the Bundaberg drinks on the shelf, which she said they love. She mentioned there'd been a lot more Australian tourists coming through Oslo over the past couple of years. We commented about the big number of Asian tourists we were encountering in Oslo, who move as a solid pack wherever they go. She laughed and said that they certainly cause a few issues when they move en masse through the store (she also has another store at the airport). Our conversation covered the weather as well. She said last summer was extremely hot in Oslo with temperatures in the 30s. Fans sold out across the city.


Bundaberg drinks on sale in Oslo, Norway