It was our final night in Oslo. Knowing I’d be back in muggy Houston in a couple days, I went for a walk to enjoy a final bit of winter.

I started here, in front of the Royal Palace (or Slottet, in Norwegian). You’re looking down Karl Johans Gate, central Oslo’s main boulevard. At the bottom of the hill, to the right of the immense (and immensely tacky) "Freia" sign, is the Norwegian Parliament building, Stortinget. Look for the tall, lighted windows. Off in the distance, you see lights in the hills surrounding Oslo.

Here’s something you may not know. Oslo was founded by your favorite Viking, King Harald Hardråda, more than 950 years ago.