This is taking Bela Balassa too far

Here in Oslo a bottle of water costs five to six dollars.  That’s not a bottle of water in a starred Michelin restaurant with molecular gastronomy.  That’s not a bottle of Voss served by a ravishing Norwegian blonde in a cool lounge with modern Scandinavian design, surrounded by hipsters.  That’s not a bottle of water served next to the main church or a lovely fjord.

That’s not even a super-large bottle of water.  That’s a mid-sized plain water from 7-11.

A so-so kung pao chicken costs 25 to 30 dollars, and that is for lunch.