Where did everyone go?

Life is full of small ironies.

Case and point, Norway is a Christian nation, but religion is not something that really is important to many of Norwegians.  Which is in contrast to America, which has no state-religion, but cares about christianity a lot.

However, each country treats the seminal holiday of Christianity quite differently.

From yesterday early evening until Monday, everything is shut down.  Not just government buildings, but everything (note the list only has like a dozen things open... keep in mind this is a city of nearly 800000 people).  Here is what Youngstorget, a random, downtown street normally looks like:

And here's what it looks like now:

Conversely, in America, I remember working many Good Fridays and Easter Mondays.

I guess that's the difference between a "state religion" and "religion of the people of the state".

Anyway, while here in the deserted city, we're celebrating with food (slow-braised lamb ribs! and homemade bread), drink (you think your boy didn't note the hours of operation?), and long walks through historic streets.

That'll do quite nicely.

Have a great holiday weekend.

Alt for Norge

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