The 6th morning proved to be quite sluggish and lathargic. I spent the morning finalizing the Oslo Urban Adventure Race I organized. Nearly one month before arriving I decided to put together an adventure race in Oslo. I thought it would be a good way for me to get to know Oslo in the week I spent there. During the week when I was walking about getting to know the town I took note of some interesting sites. I made a list of 20 tasks that requried a small group to run around all of Oslo taking pictures and videos.
Of the 20 questions half were tasks that were local realted tasks such as take a photo with a particular statue or take a group photo next to the gaurd at the Royal Palace. The other 10 questions were general fun things that could be accomplished in any city. Things such as videotape someone in your group giving a piggyback ride to a stranger, find and put on a pair of handcuffs, find a group of strangers and have them spell with their bodies "REBUS" (the Norwegian word for Scavenger Hunt), perform some sort of talent in the street in order to earn at least one coin from a stranger etc. I advertised the event on the couchsurfing website. When I showed up to the Musuem where we were to meet I thought maybe 10 or 15 people might show up. My jaw dropped when I counted and there were 50 people standing before me ready to give instructions. I was taken aback! I even had to run to a nearby hotel to ask if they would make photo copies because I ran out of forms.
I split the group into those who live in Oslo and those who were traveling that weekend. I was surprised to see it was nearly half and half. I asked the groups to join to make the teams 4 or 5 people. I stood on the wall of the landing and gave out the instructions. I handed the sheets to the group and then sent them on their way. I did not see any of the groups over the next 2.5 hours as I got in some last minute sight seeing. I took the bus to have a nice view of the fjord and enjoy the sunshine. It was the most brilliant weather anyone could ask for!
The groups had to meet at a particular pub at 6:00pm or they were disqualified. I had sooooo much fun looking at all of their photos, videotapes and hearing them tell of their adventures from the day. For many groups, the members did not know one another and by the time they were at the pub many had made some new friends. It was by far one of the happiest moment I felt during my time in Oslo. I was also very happy because it was such a big thrill and I did not have to spend any money :)
Another couchsurfer from Oslo organized a social event starting at 6:00pm at the pub where we ended the race so at one point we had nearly 70 couchsurfers in the pub. I spent the rest of the evening meeting couchsurfers from all over the world and hearing more stories from the adventures people enjoyed that day.
There was an Italian man, Nick, who made my day and helped me realize how much my efforts were appreciated. He said, "This was my first time in Oslo and it was only a short weekend. It was a last minute trip so I did not make many plans. Because of the event you organized I got to see all of Oslo in 3 hours and meet some amazing people." It was a proud moment.
Of the 20 questions half were tasks that were local realted tasks such as take a photo with a particular statue or take a group photo next to the gaurd at the Royal Palace. The other 10 questions were general fun things that could be accomplished in any city. Things such as videotape someone in your group giving a piggyback ride to a stranger, find and put on a pair of handcuffs, find a group of strangers and have them spell with their bodies "REBUS" (the Norwegian word for Scavenger Hunt), perform some sort of talent in the street in order to earn at least one coin from a stranger etc. I advertised the event on the couchsurfing website. When I showed up to the Musuem where we were to meet I thought maybe 10 or 15 people might show up. My jaw dropped when I counted and there were 50 people standing before me ready to give instructions. I was taken aback! I even had to run to a nearby hotel to ask if they would make photo copies because I ran out of forms.
I split the group into those who live in Oslo and those who were traveling that weekend. I was surprised to see it was nearly half and half. I asked the groups to join to make the teams 4 or 5 people. I stood on the wall of the landing and gave out the instructions. I handed the sheets to the group and then sent them on their way. I did not see any of the groups over the next 2.5 hours as I got in some last minute sight seeing. I took the bus to have a nice view of the fjord and enjoy the sunshine. It was the most brilliant weather anyone could ask for!
The groups had to meet at a particular pub at 6:00pm or they were disqualified. I had sooooo much fun looking at all of their photos, videotapes and hearing them tell of their adventures from the day. For many groups, the members did not know one another and by the time they were at the pub many had made some new friends. It was by far one of the happiest moment I felt during my time in Oslo. I was also very happy because it was such a big thrill and I did not have to spend any money :)
Another couchsurfer from Oslo organized a social event starting at 6:00pm at the pub where we ended the race so at one point we had nearly 70 couchsurfers in the pub. I spent the rest of the evening meeting couchsurfers from all over the world and hearing more stories from the adventures people enjoyed that day.
There was an Italian man, Nick, who made my day and helped me realize how much my efforts were appreciated. He said, "This was my first time in Oslo and it was only a short weekend. It was a last minute trip so I did not make many plans. Because of the event you organized I got to see all of Oslo in 3 hours and meet some amazing people." It was a proud moment.
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