Oslo

 Medi is standing in front of the the Royal Palace ( The  Slottet ) built in the first half of the 19th century. It was  the Norwegian  residence of Norwegian and Swedish king . It is now the official residence of the present Norwegian Monarch.

Many people wore the national dress to celebrate Norwegian National Day.  This day may look very different come 2030 when 51 % of the population will be of non Norwegian origin with Pakistanis and Somalis the largest immigrant groups.

The population of Norway currently increases at a record rate of 2% annually, making it the fastest growing city in Europe.  However most of it is due to immigration and the immigrants' high birthrate.

(Missing Photos) The lovely streets of Oslo.  Can you spot the TGIF restaurant?  Or Ben and Jerry's ?

Medi standing with the US Embassy to her right.

This is the street right outside our hotel. The buildings had a wind tunnel effect. Some nights the howling winds woke us up.

The Nobel Peace Prize  - Awarded in Oslo Every Year - Alfred Nobel left his huge fortune to establish 5 prizes to recognize those who made the world a better place to be. He asked Sweden to make awards in chemistry, biology, medicine and literature. He asked Norway to award the Peace Prize. Since this was only known when his will was read, no one knows why this famous Swede chose Norway for the peace prize.    

Can you offer a reasonable explanation ?  Contest closes July 1. Awards will be made July 15 for the top three answers. A plaque and generous cash prize form the award.   (Winners must be present to receive the award to be presented in a formal sunrise ceremony)