In June 2012, I set out on to explore Scandinavia: 5 countries, 8 cities, and a countless numbers of boat rides and road trips. I ate strange foods, hiked mountains and glaciers, and met up with friends old and new. 

Someone once told me that a photographer is a professional people watcher. I think that a good people watcher also makes a good traveler.

In 2010, during my first 4 months of serious traveling, I spent a lot of time in museums, cathedrals, and art galleries. I toured in haste, like most other travelers on a set schedule. Those months tired me out. While I had been to a lot of places, I felt that I saw very little. When I decided combined my methods as a photographer with my ways as a traveler, I happily traded busy sightseeing for people watching. I finally realized that the best way to understand a place is to observe its people.

While in Oslo, I made sure to document little details as well as obvious tourist sights. Just when I thought I had seen enough of Norway’s capital, seeing Oslo as a photographer allowed me to uncover more of the city’s quarks and beauties.

In June 2012, I set out on to explore Scandinavia: 5 countries, 8 cities, and a countless numbers of boat rides and road trips. I ate strange foods, hiked mountains and glaciers, and met up with friends old and new. 

The first stop on my great Scandinavia trip is the Norwegian capital, Oslo. The city is, in one word, sleek. With its nice blend of modern and medieval architecture, Oslo felt very young and hip. I immediately eased into the laidback atmosphere of coffee breaks, welcoming smiles, and slow paces.

Despite this being my first time in Oslo, I knew my way around the city immediately. The entire capital felt unusually familiar to me. After a year away from Europe, it was as if the continent was saying “Welcome Back”.