Open Mat is a gathering of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners that happens every 1-2 months in Switzerland. If you don’t have a clue what BJJ is – like most people in Switzerland – Wikipedia, Youtube and other resources may provide some helpful and insightful information. Basically, it looks like a bunch of grossly sweaty guys and girls hugging each other and rolling around on the floor in weird pajamas. In reality, they actually try to choke each other out and break each other’s arms and legs. Anyways, go check it out yourself.

Second and last stop in Norway was Bergen, where I fell in love with the old houses that are spread around the city in small groups. Unfortunately, most of the city is different nowadays and the traditional parts are almost gone. Some of the nicest old areas are «Knøsesmauet», «Byggen» (tourist hotspot) and the area at the foot of the hill «Fløyen», near the funicular. I went up the hill too to enjoy the views. Instead of taking the funi, though, I chose to walk up, only takes about 45 minutes and is well worth it.

So my time in Gothenburg was over. What followed for me were three and a half weeks in Norway and Denmark, before spending a week at home in Switzerland and starting on a whole new adventure. My first stop in Norway was Oslo, only a few hours’ bus ride from Gothenburg. I climbed on the opera house’s roof, cause that’s what tourists do in Oslo.