Shortly after their train left the Oslo station, Olga and Sven made their way to the dining car for dinner. During the course of the meal, a man seated near Sven started choking on a herring bone he had swallowed.
Sven quickly whipped out his Norwegian Army plunger and performed a modified Heimlich maneuver on the man, saving his life. The man, Ludwig Olsen, had this to say about Sven, “Yoou saved my life! Tank yoou, Sven!”
Sven and Olga were later introduced to our tour guide for the trip through Norway, Knute Willemsen. Knute is a native of Sandvika, the first stop to the west after leaving Oslo.
“Vee are gooing too haff a loot of foon,” said Knute as the train pulled out of Sandvika.
As the train wound its way through the mountains outside of Sandvika, Sven jumped up and shouted, “UF DAH! I foorgot der loogage!”
Yes, Sven had forgotten to bring the luggage which prompted an quick trip back to the Oslo train station.
Knute, the humorous tour guide, suggested that they visit Nordas Lake, the home of composer Edvard Grieg and also the location of the famous Fantoft Stavkirke. The stavkirke (stave churches) derive their name from the solid, upright timber trunks from which they are built. The Fantoft Stavkirke has been standing for nearly 700 years. Knute has been standing for nearly 50.
When Sven et al returned to Oslo for the luggage that Sven forgot, Knute the tour guide suggested they visit Oslo University while they waited for the next train.
Standing in front of the Olso University building is Dr. Mamoun Babiker, Professor of Computer Science. Before Sven left Norway for the United States, he was Dr. Babiker’s personal janitor at Oslo U.
Dr. Babiker is not a native of Norway, but comes from Sudan. Dr. Babiker had this to say, “Yumpin’ Yiminee it vass goot to see oold Sven again. I remember vhen he used to empty der trash in my ooffice.”
Next to Oslo University is the Oslo Sanitation Institute (OSI), where Sven spent several years as the head custodial engineer. After visiting with Professor Mamoun, Sven dropped in on the Janitorial Staff as OSI.
When they found out that Sven was going on the tour of Norway, all four immediately left their posts, packed, and boarded the train to accompany Sven and Olga on their journey.
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