I WISH TO GET LOST AGAIN

by JOSEPHAT SELEMAN HEMA (Germany)

Making a local connection Norway

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I saw rain drops, not fluffy snow, contrary to the weather forecast, “This is so disappointing”, I murmured as I got out of the Long distance Bus that I booked from Stockholm the last night. My sleepy eyes struggled to look on my phones’ screen. The GPS showed that I needed an 8 minutes’ walk to catch up the free walking Tour, what a poor timing! I had to run. Right in front of Oslo Central Station was a statue of a giant Tiger. Some people surrounded a tall guy holding a card written FREE WALKING TOUR IN ENGLISH.I joined the group. The tall guy who introduced himself as Merlin started talking. He blamed the Climate Change. “It should have been snowing not raining”, he said. He then asked where we came from. I heard different countries; Sweden, Ireland, Denmark and Germany. I said “Tanzania” and he froze a bit looking at me, “All the way from Tanzania! Aren’t you freezing pal?” Merlin had a good sense of humor. He made so many stereotype jokes especially on how guttural Germans sound and I could easily relate since I live in Germany and speak a little German. After a visit to the Opera house, Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo City Hall and Franklin Roosevelt monument we headed to the National Theater where I saw the little statue of “The Fearless Girl” on the way. When we reached the National Theatre I saw HEINRIK IBSEN’s statue. I knew him when I was 8 from my Father’s books. I asked one girl amongst us to take a photo of me there because I wanted to show it to my father back home. As she handled the camera back to me I looked on her face and asked her, “Are you from Germany too? “She agreed. "Wo in Deutschland?” I asked in German, meaning "Where in Germany?" Her eyes were enlightened as she replied in German. We were talking while heading to the Norwegian Royal Palace; the last point of the tour. We both found ourselves standing in front of the Queen Maud’s statue. "Ich bin Lisa,und wie heisst du?”,She said her name and asked mine, I told her. "So what is your plan? “Lisa asked more. "I want to see Snow, much Snow”. "Then let’s go to Oslo Vinterpark". We set off. After about 15 Train stations we arrived at Voksenkollen and we then took a Bus till Vinterpark.We took many photos there and made a huge Snowman. I felt hungry, I saw a little Waffles’ shop nearby and reached up to it, I ordered waffles. As the Waffleman(he called himself so) gave me a warm waffle I reached out my pocket and gave him the coins I had, he said that was 1 less Norwegian kroner but “No problem”. I felt a bit shy. He was so friendly and talkative. I tried my Bank Card on his machine because I needed more waffles. It didn’t work but he offered me one free waffle, I was happy. Lisa came, freezing. She wanted to catch up her train to Bergen. The Waffleman offered both of us free hot chocolate to drink on our way, saying, “It’s very cold, this will help a little" "Tusen takk", I thanked him. The only Norwegian words I learnt earlier from the Tour guide. “You’re always welcome, I hope next time we’ll have much more snow. This is the least we have ever had, because of Global warming”, he added before we left.It was getting dark. On our way back I saw the incoming text message from Robert;my Zambian friend living in Oslo, asking if I am lost somewhere. “Yes I’m lost in the forest of Human goodness, and the warmly welcoming cold Snow Park”. I wrote him back. We finally stopped at The Central Station, and Lisa had to leave. "I hope you enjoy your remaining days here, don’t get lost okay?” she joked. "If I ever got lost today, I wish to get lost again”, I joked back. We hugged, she left. I opened up my GPS again to find my way to Robert’s place;Grønland. We would cook Ugali that night, an African traditional meal.Zambians call it Nshima.