Norway part 1: Bergen

And now for something completely different: Bergen, Norway. Bergen is the opposite of Cairo: it rains at least a bit every day. It's cold, clean, green, efficient and quiet. Some of this has to do with being in Norway, and some with having only about 2% as many people as Cairo. This is looking down on the city from a viewing platform at the top of the trolley. We walked up a public trail that was filled with locals getting some exercise, and then rode down the funicular.

Bergen has lots of bikes, despite the fact that nothing seems far enough to justify not walking, and parking is as artistic as it is practical.

This is the reason I was in Bergen: Rex Sean O'Fahey, the world foremost expert on Zubayr Pasha. At least for now. He is warm and amazingly helpful.


Bergen has great cobblestone sidewalks in interesting patterns, though this one takes the cake. The houses, especially at night when lit from within, look warm and inviting - almost fairy tale like.

Because of the huge amount of rain, the hills around the city are full of waterfalls. This was taken on our hike beyond the platform above.