Oslo

[xenulandkalif]

I was walking through the intersection of Karl Johans Gate and Kirkegata today when I was approached by a Volunteer Minister in the standard yellow jacket. He gave me the standard "Would you like to see an exhibit?" line, which I declined. I looked around but could immediately see no stand nor any other evidence of their presence, which was a bit of a surprise as I wasn't aware that they had any permanent presence in that area.

I thought at first that they had perhaps rented a location for the christmas rush, this is a very busy area during the christmas holidays, but this doesn't seem to be the case. When I passed there later, a bit after 19:30, I noticed a yellowjacket routing some person through a doorway nearby. I checked it out when they had gone inside, and saw "Scientologikirken" (IIRC, or something similar) on one of the intercom buttons at the door, printed with a label maker.

All in all I saw a grand total of two yellowjackets there at the time, and I wasn't able to discern any other particular activity there and then.

On my way home I passed their old building at Storgata 17, and saw a plaque by the door written in both Norwegian and English, which read that they had moved to Karl Johans Gate 17J.

Online Maps:
Old dianetics center at Storgata 17:
http://www.finn.no/finn/map?utmx=262436 ... 184%20Oslo

Karl Johans Gate 12 J (Approx.):
http://www.finn.no/finn/map?utmx=262175 ... 154%20Oslo

The Karl Johans address is an approximation, the map-site didn't find the 'J' address directly, but it's on the correct side of the correct corner of the correct block.

As for their moving in the first place, I'd have to speculate that the new location is both more central, as well as more "upscale". I only peeked through the front door, but it gave a better first impression than their previous location. It was more polished, if you will.

On another note, I've never seen them on Karl Johan before. Is COS activity on the rise here?

Kal'ph

[admin]

Picture of the Oslo org taken Dec 22 2005:



The size of their offices are unknown. They have moved several times over the last years. There is little or no recruiting activity outside.

The doorbell:

[Elston Gunnn]

At the corner of the building where the Oslo org is located: The proud flag of $cientology, unwashed and unreadable, waiving in the wind. In the background, Oslo Cathedral. Photo taken March 26 2006.

[TZer0]

Those bugs! they're everywhere (CoS of course)

[Elston Gunnn]

Somehow, the cult has managed to scrape together enough kroner to finance an new flag for the Oslo org. A black one this time, so it won't look as bad as the old one when it gets dirty. Or did they choose black so the flag would resemble the Jolly Roger? Or because Ron had such a black heart..? Photo taken March 4 2007.

By the way (to borrow one of Elrons favourite phrases), they took down the old flag a while after I posted the previous picture. The pole must have been flagless for at least six months, but I never got around to taking a picture of that.

As usual, zero $cieno action in the street outside.

[SCIE-NO-MO-]

In the first picture Admin posted it is unclear where the entrance to the "church" is but there the word "PORN" is written on the biulding. What is that all about?

[Elston Gunnn]

Factually, it says "POP-IN". They sell clothes. The cult entrance is in the black portal (again, black) directly to the right of the POP-IN sign.

In the first picture Admin posted it is unclear where the entrance to the "church" is but there the word "PORN" is written on the biulding. What is that all about?

[muffins]

The local Scientologists popped out for some sun this summer. This picture was taken on Karl Johan this July. I would have posted it back then but my account wasn't authorized. I had never seen them out on the streets before, so I was a bit surprised... I missed out on the free "stress test" because I was in a hurry. Too bad... eh...

[magoo1]

Good shots! Naw..........You missed the Stress Test? OH MY GAWD!

Lordy, Lordy! Such an experience to miss..........

The doorbell:

When I went to Norway to see Andreas........I asked about the "Scientology Org" there. He said, "It's just a doorbell" and we both laughed.

God I miss Norway! (and a certain person there, too, ah hum
What a *Great* country~~~

My best,

Tory/Magoo~~~

[kaos]

A couple of months ago we noticed new (and not particularily welcome) neighbours at Hasle (part of Oslo) as a whole side of a building was decorated with a Scientology flag. The flag is gone (maybe protests from neighbours?), but the office is busy (allthough absolutely not overcrowded) until late at night. It looks like they have bought an office building here.
Anyone who knows anything about this?

[Elston Gunnn]

Updated info on http://www.scientology-oslo.org/:

The Co$ Oslo Org has moved once again, this time away from downtown and up to the Hasle area, not surprisingly.

Street view of the building here:

http://kart.gulesider.no/m/I689C

This is a mixed residential/services/industry area, not nearly as attractive as their previous locations. The rent is likely to be a lot cheaper up there, but I think they will have a hard time recruiting any passers-by.

The new address is Grenseveien 51, 0595 Oslo. Opening hours are supposed to be 09:00-21:00 monday thru sunday. Maybe I'll stop by one day and see whether that's really the case...