From Dream to Reality: My Unexpected Journey to Norway

Debbrata Kumar Adhikary

I envision myself as a world traveler, dreaming of exploring the planet with two eyes. However, I have yet to set foot on any such journey out of Asia. My recent efforts have been focused on preparing for a trip to the Himalayan Kannya Nepal, as venturing further beyond my means is not feasible at this time. It seems impossible for a middle-class individual to combine dream and affordability for travelling to far-off destinations.

The idea of traveling to Europe, America, or the Northern Hemisphere remained a distant dream, but fate had other plans for me. One night, I woke up to an official invitation on my phone to travel to Norway. I had to pinch myself to confirm whether it was real or just a dream. Life has a way of surprising us, like discovering a fortune of unexpected opportunities.

Although the purpose of my visit is to attend official work, I intended to explore and enjoy Norway's rich culture, heritage and natural beauty. I had hoped to venture into Denmark as well, but as a first-time visitor to a Schengen country, personal travel is not permitted during business trips. Nevertheless, life was  still beautiful, and I was grateful for this opportunity.

My colleague and I started our journey on 12th November, 2022. However, during our immigration of Dhaka airport we faced some unexpected situations.  Our immigration officer didn’t know what was Schengen visa, and how many countries covered it. So, he requested assistance from his supervisor. Unfortunately, the supervisor was also not aware and responded amusingly, "I'm not sure if Norway is covered by the Schengen visa, but look at their official ID card. Allow them to proceed if everything is in order." I laugh at the situation and questioned about the relationship between the Schengen visa and official ID cards, and informed them that everything is available in internet regarding Schengen visa.”  They seem didn’t happy on my response, so they asked me again what is the capital name of Norway. It felt amusing to us but that was not the case for them, and eventually obtained our approval and successfully boarded in the flight. However, the immigration officer was extremely friendly when we arrived at the Oslo Airport. she told me “Enjoy your time; Norway is a very beautiful country.”

The city of Oslo was exceptionally beautiful, and their transportation system caught my attention. I noticed that the system placed a strong emphasis on ensuring safe travel for persons with disabilities. One example was the provision of an audible signal during red lights, which was particularly necessary for people with visual impairments.

The unfortunate truth was that we didn't have much free time to explore during work hours. Our workshop ran from 9am to 5pm; and during the winter season in Oslo, daylight hours were limited. It was still dark at 8am and darkness set in as early as 3pm. As a result, we had to do our Oslo city sightseeing over the course of seven days after work, mostly in the dark.

We spent every evening wandering around the lovely city of Oslo on foot for a good 3-4 hours, as it is often said that walking is the best way to get to know a new place. We were lucky to have a Bangladeshi colleague working at our Norway office who generously offered to show us around. He was a great guide and took us to some really cool spots like the King's House, Parliament House, Peace Prize Centre, and Ship jetty.

The city was stunning at night, especially during Christmas time when everything was decked out in twinkling lights. You could feel the holiday cheer in the air! I can't deny that it was a bit chilly out there, but it was worth it to take in all the beauty that Oslo had to offer.

When we visited the Parliament House, we were surprised to learn that any citizen could meet with the Minister, MP, or even the Prime Minister there and share their concerns or opinions. It was really cool to see how accessible and open the government was to its people, and it made me appreciate the strength of democracy in Norway. I realized then, how lucky the Norwegians were to have such an inclusive and responsive system of government.

After touring Oslo City on November 16th, we had the pleasure of visiting the renowned Munch Museum. This museum was dedicated to the life and work of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, who was famous for his iconic painting "The Scream". The museum housed a vast collection of Munch's paintings, drawings, and prints, providing a comprehensive overview of his artistic career. We were amazed by the depth and breadth of the collection, and it was fascinating to see how Munch's art evolved over time. All in all, it was a truly unforgettable experience that gave us a deep appreciation for the work of this talented artist. During our visit to Oslo, we had the chance to explore some of the city's iconic landmarks, including the Oslo Opera Center and the Central Library. While both were impressive in their own right, I was particularly struck by the Central Library. The organization and layout of the library were top-notch, and I was impressed by the sheer number of resources available to the public. There was a palpable sense of studiousness and dedication among the library-goers that was truly inspiring.

We visited the site of the executive government quarter, which was the site of a tragic attack in 2011 where 77 people lost their lives. The attacker, a right-wing extremist named Anders Behring Breivik, had demands that included expelling Muslims from Europe and ending multiculturalism. To learn more about the attack, check out the movie "July 22" on Netflix.

On the evening of the 17th, we were invited to one of our Norwegian colleague's home for a social dinner. We were thrilled to learn about Norway's rich culture and heritage, and our colleague's warm hospitality and amazing cooking skills made the experience even more special. It was a truly unforgettable evening that allowed us to connect with our colleagues on a deeper level and we felt so grateful for the opportunity to share such a meaningful experience together.

On the evening of the 18th, we had the pleasure of visiting Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of the largest sculpture parks in the world guided by one of our Norwegian colleagues. The park was located in Oslo and was created by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland. It was an incredible collection of sculptures that depict the human experience in all its beauty, pain, and complexity. As we walked through the park, we were struck by the sheer size and diversity of the sculptures. There were sculptures of people in various poses. It was fascinating to see how the artist captured the essence of human emotion and behavior through his work. We also learned that Vigeland had spent most of his life working on the sculptures in the park, and it was inspiring to see the dedication and passion that went into creating such a breathtaking masterpiece. We left the park feeling inspired and grateful for the opportunity to witness such incredible artistry firsthand.

The 19th of November was the day of my return, the thought crossed my mind that I must come back to Norway again. Although I had a great time exploring the city of Oslo, I realized that there was still so much more to see. The beautiful countryside of Norway, aurora, the stunning fjords, and the enchanting forests are all waiting to be discovered. I dream again in my heart, that one day I will have the opportunity and the ability to take a solo trip to Norway. The idea of exploring the stunning landscapes, immersing myself in the rich culture, and connecting with the warm-hearted people of Norway fills my heart with excitement and anticipation. I hope that one day I can turn this dream into a reality and experience all the wonders that Norway has to offer.