Travel day is stressful, at least if you are me. Unable to control even a little bit of the day’s schedule, we arrive at the airport earlier than expected. Yay! Our flight is delayed… sigh. The crew shows up. Yay! The leave to sit out the delay elsewhere… sigh.

Once aboard, we settle in for a movie. Then a dinner of the customary chicken or vegetarian pasta. Then I make a pathetic attempt to sleep. You might as well ask me to walk on the moon. But I put on soft music and relax as best I can. Finally, dawn breaks in the plane window and signals time for the cheese hot pocket that will have to pass as breakfast.

We land in Frankfurt. It is a lovely airport, but somehow we find signs that say two opposite directions to the same gate. An immigration officer waves me forward so we commit to his direction. He asks how long we are to be in Norway. I say 35 days. He looks surprised. I am surprised that he is inquiring because I am in Germany and am just trying to get to the gate for my connecting flight. He tells us to have a good trip and waves us through.

I am so hot I can’t breathe. It started on the plane. Lufthansa did not have air vents at our seat. The Frankfurt airport is also hot. I need coffee. I am too hot for coffee. I haven’t slept in almost twenty four hours. Did I mention I am hot!

Finally we are called for our connection flight to Oslo. We are surprised that we step into what appears to be a gangway only to discover we are headed to a bus? Hang on. This is … a super crowded, hot bus.

We unload on the tarmac and find we have to climb stairs to the plane. We follow directions to the back of the plane. Others didn’t follow directions and are trying to cross to farther back in the plane. Chaos. But as I reach my seat there is air. Water and air. I almost sleep during the short flight. Almost.

As we descend into Norway, I am enchanted by the snow and frozen lakes. Forest and farms glisten in the morning sun. We make our way quickly through the Norwegian airport to baggage claim. Our luggage comes slowly, among the last to be released. But it arrived and I have a toothbrush. Small victories.

Only when we are at the train connection do we realize there was no immigration checkpoint. We apparently were welcomed to Norway in Germany. I am in shock. No passport control. At all.

We take a fast train to our hotel in downtown Oslo. To our surprise, it is attached to the train station. The hotel….. I mean…of course the train is attached. Oh Lord, I am tired.

A brisk walk downtown and an early dinner round out our day. Crisp, cold air wakes me up. Pasta makes me sleepy. We are here with only a few minor inconveniences. I will count today as a travel goal win.

I lay my head on the pillow, grateful for the travel opportunity . My eyes pop open. I can’t sleep. It will likely be a few days until I adjust. But I am here. I am here. Norway, I am here.