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khiemtranI had originally planned to get off the train at Stokke on my way in to the meeting venue, but I met another delegate at the airport who warned me that there wouldn't be any taxis at the station. Another colleague did go via Stokke (and, sure enough, did find there were no taxis there), and basically warned us off going there, telling us there was nothing there worth seeing.
Well, on the way back, getting a taxi wasn't a problem and it was the closest station to the meeting venue, so I ended up finally passing through there at the end of the week.
First of all, it turned out I had been slightly mislead. Although it had sounded like a tiny flyspeck town by various descriptions, it turned to be quite well supplied with supermarkets, paved roads and maybe even restaurants. The station was also quite marvellous, a fact entirely due to the station attendant, who seemed to be in a battle of popularity with the ticket vending machine outside. First she dragged us away from the machine and into her office (lined with handicrafts and books for sale), then chided us for using a machine ("A machine can't help you book a taxi!") and then using for the internet ("You paid exactly the same price as you would have here - but it took longer!"). After we had been suitably admonished for the march of progress, she offered us maps of Oslo and sightseeing advice, while she keep one eye out the next batch of travellers to approach the machine. Somehow, I imagine, that must be the worst performing ticket machine in all of Norway.
The trip to Oslo turned out to be quite wondrous too, coinciding with clear skies and the setting sun. The hills and houses just glowed, and the water, when we passed it, shone like a mirror. If we hadn't been speeding past in a train, it would be have a great evening for photography. At one point, we passed a fjord were the water was so smooth and still, it formed almost a perfect mirror. All the houses too, seemed ridiculously neat and kempt. I don't know if there's some sort of special bonus paid to home owners who live near train tracks or if all the houses are like that, at least in summer.
The train carriage was interesting too. We sat in what turned out to be a pets-allowed carriage, which was also a good place to meet friendly-looking people clutching dogs in various sizes. I'm not sure if we were doing the wrong thing by sitting there and depriving a pet owner of a seat, but the guard came through and asked for our tickets only and not to see our livestock.
Finally, some instructions on how to get a hot chocolate on an NSB train in Norway. First, stand up and walk to the door of the carriage. Press the door if you like, but nothing will happen. Next, you reach up with one hand, as though you're appealing for off-side, and your hand will set off the sensor and the door will slide open. If you watch other people moving through the carriages, they do this at every door. Walk up, raise hand, walk through, repeat.
Next, find the vending machine, and read the sign that says 20 Kronor. It claims it takes a variety of coins, but we found it was a bit temperamental when it came to some of them. It wouldn't take 20 Kronor coins unless the guard was watching, and had just said "put it in" after being told that it didn't work. The human staff of the NSB and their machines seem to have a bit of a strange relationship. Next, press the button for your drink. Then, and this bit is important, as the liquid starts to flow, notice that there is a supply of cups to the side of the machine and no cup under the nozzle. You need to put the cup there yourself! Otherwise your drink will end up in the drip tray and then over you. It may also be easier to put the cup there before you press the button, but I didn't get a chance to confirm this experimentally. Finally, waddle back to your seat, fold out the table from your armrest, and enjoy what's left of your drink.
Well, on the way back, getting a taxi wasn't a problem and it was the closest station to the meeting venue, so I ended up finally passing through there at the end of the week.
First of all, it turned out I had been slightly mislead. Although it had sounded like a tiny flyspeck town by various descriptions, it turned to be quite well supplied with supermarkets, paved roads and maybe even restaurants. The station was also quite marvellous, a fact entirely due to the station attendant, who seemed to be in a battle of popularity with the ticket vending machine outside. First she dragged us away from the machine and into her office (lined with handicrafts and books for sale), then chided us for using a machine ("A machine can't help you book a taxi!") and then using for the internet ("You paid exactly the same price as you would have here - but it took longer!"). After we had been suitably admonished for the march of progress, she offered us maps of Oslo and sightseeing advice, while she keep one eye out the next batch of travellers to approach the machine. Somehow, I imagine, that must be the worst performing ticket machine in all of Norway.
The trip to Oslo turned out to be quite wondrous too, coinciding with clear skies and the setting sun. The hills and houses just glowed, and the water, when we passed it, shone like a mirror. If we hadn't been speeding past in a train, it would be have a great evening for photography. At one point, we passed a fjord were the water was so smooth and still, it formed almost a perfect mirror. All the houses too, seemed ridiculously neat and kempt. I don't know if there's some sort of special bonus paid to home owners who live near train tracks or if all the houses are like that, at least in summer.
The train carriage was interesting too. We sat in what turned out to be a pets-allowed carriage, which was also a good place to meet friendly-looking people clutching dogs in various sizes. I'm not sure if we were doing the wrong thing by sitting there and depriving a pet owner of a seat, but the guard came through and asked for our tickets only and not to see our livestock.
Finally, some instructions on how to get a hot chocolate on an NSB train in Norway. First, stand up and walk to the door of the carriage. Press the door if you like, but nothing will happen. Next, you reach up with one hand, as though you're appealing for off-side, and your hand will set off the sensor and the door will slide open. If you watch other people moving through the carriages, they do this at every door. Walk up, raise hand, walk through, repeat.
Next, find the vending machine, and read the sign that says 20 Kronor. It claims it takes a variety of coins, but we found it was a bit temperamental when it came to some of them. It wouldn't take 20 Kronor coins unless the guard was watching, and had just said "put it in" after being told that it didn't work. The human staff of the NSB and their machines seem to have a bit of a strange relationship. Next, press the button for your drink. Then, and this bit is important, as the liquid starts to flow, notice that there is a supply of cups to the side of the machine and no cup under the nozzle. You need to put the cup there yourself! Otherwise your drink will end up in the drip tray and then over you. It may also be easier to put the cup there before you press the button, but I didn't get a chance to confirm this experimentally. Finally, waddle back to your seat, fold out the table from your armrest, and enjoy what's left of your drink.
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Date: 2010-09-08 10:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-08 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-08 10:30 am (UTC)