Although each of the Norse gods possess their own individual attractions, the mischief-making god, Loki, happens to be a favorite of the locals to invoke upon unsuspecting visitors. He is known as the “father of lies” and does much to merit that name in terms of silly deception, malicious behavior, and outright trickery. If you’re a chronic troublemaker, you can be sure you’ll be attached to the persona of Loki in no time.
Loki was the son of two giants and a notorious shape-changer. One day, he observed the gods struggling to create the god, Asgard, and he craftily offered his assistance. Loki suggested that the gods contract a giant to do the work and he knew of just the right one, a giant that owned a strong stallion capable of lifting and carrying anything. The gods agreed, but they were worried when the giant demanded the Sun, the Moon, and the beautiful goddess, Freya, as payment for his services. Loki assured them that this would never happen because he would see to it that the giant did not complete his work on time.
True to his word, when the god Asgard was nearly completely, Loki used his shape-changing abilities to become a gorgeous young mare. That night, he crept into the work camp of the giant and seduced his strong stallion. They galloped away into the fields, never to be seen again. Without the stallion, the giant realized to his dismay, that he would never be able to complete the work on time and therefore, the gods had no obligation to give him the Sun, the Moon, or the goddess, Freya.
You will find stories such as these scattered throughout the rich, cultural history of Scandinavia. Oslo now serves as a focal of Viking history, boasting the impressive Viking Ship Museum, among other attractions. We encourage you to dive deep into the history of Scandinavia in your travels. When you know the enchanting stories that have circulated through the shimmering fjords, daunting glaciers, and serene countryside, it makes your destination that much more alive.
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