-18 in Oslo

The mystery around me is snow and ice. I slip with my heavy bag. Why is no one else slipping? I’m clearly the newcomer here, my first time in temperatures of -18.  ‘Welcome to Norway, Sean my dear’ – It’s great to hear Nizam’s voice again on the message he leaves me – but impossible to comprehend how he can tolerate this cold. How did the ‘Road to Damascus’ with him 6 months ago lead me here?

I’m freezing. My ears worst, then my nose. My nose runs a little bit, and then it freezes on some nose hair. A brave painful tug removes the tiny snot ridden icicle.  A homeless guy sits staring at me. How can he sit there in this weather?

I continue delicately making my way down a dirty public staircase. Is this the clean Norway life Nizam told me about? I spot a film of oil that makes beautiful colours down the dirty stairs. Oil can’t freeze I think. Then it dawns on me that this is another oil rich nation I find myself in, just like Iraq. Iraqi’s always blame the oil for the war – ‘we had to share it with the American’s’ – but here in Norway it’s peaceful. Why don’t they have to share their oil with the Americans? Maybe Norway will be invaded next?

I doubt it; it’s far too cold for American soldiers here. With a tiny population of 5 million it is one of richest countries in the world. I’m always fascinated where the oil money goes and how it reaches the people. Money goes to provide better social services I’m told. That’s why immigrants want to come here I guess. About 10% of population is immigrants and it’s visible that they all live in Oslo. I pass a diverse mix; lots of black prostitutes stand in the freezing cold outside my hostel. From Africa to Antarctica – how can they have sex in this weather? I disappear into the hostel to wait for Nizam.