WEDNESDAY, JULY 28^TH – THURSDAY, JULY 29^TH – NASHVILLE TO SELJORD, NORWAY: 

Sure needed and enjoyed my one week at home.  Off to Norway again today, then Denmark the following weekend and end in Sweden the weekend after that.  The festival in Norway features Carlene Carter and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – none of whom are traveling with me.   

I had packed most of my clothes this weekend, knowing I’d be very busy the few days prior to departure.  Lindsey called me into my bedroom to show me that Zac had climbed into my suitcase and was removing everything he wasn’t sitting on.  Sure would have liked to tuck him and Zoe away and brought them with me.  L   

I had to leave for the airport at 10 am, so I was trying to get dressed and have a little time to answer the emails that came in overnight before leaving.  I fly on Delta to Detroit, Amsterdam and finally Oslo with very short layovers between each stop.  Lindsey was talking to me as I dressed and watched me spray my hair with deodorant.  Guess I was a little more stressed that I realized.  At least my hair won’t sweat.  J 

I’d been watching the weather channel – okay, been glued to the weather channel for days.   There have been storms and tornados all around and strong thunderstorms were predicted for Detroit at about the time we were due to land.  It wasn’t very turbulent landing and I had time to answer a few emails before boarding.  I left the lounge and went to the gate area in anticipation of beginning the boarding process.  When I looked outside, the sky was completely black and lightning was striking all around and straight to the ground.  Was really surprised when they announced that we were supposed to board the aircraft.  I think maybe 6 people got on when they cancelled the boarding process.  Then we sat and sat and sat while we waited for the storm to move out.  An hour later, it was fairly clear outside and we were allowed to get on board.  I only have a 2 hour layover in Amsterdam and now our new arrival time only gives me a one half hour connection time.   I had booked my flight so that I would arrive 2 hours before Nitty Gritty arrives so I could meet them and ride the 4 hours to Seljord with them.  If I miss this connection, the next flight on the same airline won’t arrive until 2 hours after they arrive.  Really hope I don’t miss it and not sure what I’ll do if that happens. 

Flight attendants were really nice and attentive on the flight…always happens when we have gay males instead of elderly females.  I watched a movie titled “The Green Zone” and found it absolutely fascinating because it referred to the Green Zone in Iraq where I have spent a lot of time.  I assume it is a very controversial movie although I haven’t heard much about it.  It basically addresses the issue of not finding any WMD’s (weapons of mass destruction) in Iraq.   So much of the information appears to be factual from what I have learned during my 30 visits to Iraq since June, 2003.  I’m not sure how interesting the general public would find the movie but I found it riveting.   

We landed about 35 minutes late and I had to RUN with my 30 pound backpack to the gate to keep from missing the flight.   It was raining pretty hard so I was hoping the flight was being delayed.  But, no such luck.  I made it just as they started the boarding process.  Wonder if my luggage made it, too?   Hmmmm…… 

Short flight – less than 2 hours – and no one was sitting beside me.  I finished my murder/mystery book on the flight so I didn’t sleep any.  When we landed I was surprised to see one of my bags on the belt.  But my luck didn’t hold.  My big suitcase was missing.  After standing in front of the belt for about 10 minutes waiting to see if other bags were coming out, I decided to give it up and file a claim.  There was only about 5 other people still standing there waiting for bags and it seemed pointless.  When I tried to fill out the paperwork, the guy at the agent said I had to wait until all the bags were out and as long as the belt was still turning, there were bags still coming.  I didn’t believe him because nothing had come out in a long time.  I wanted to get the paperwork filed while there was no one else in line.  But, oh, no…I had to stand there another 10 minutes at which time the belt quit turning and no more bags ever came out.  Then I had to stand in line behind the other 5 people for half an hour to file my claim.   

The agent informed me that the bag had been left in Amsterdam and would arrive at 12:40 pm today.  I made him assure me that the bag would be delivered to me today because my hotel is 4 hours from the Oslo airport.  He assured me this would not be a problem and I would have my bag before midnight.   

By that time, it was almost time for Nitty Gritty to arrive since they were scheduled to land 20 minutes early.  Took them forever to get all their bags and equipment but at least nothing was missing!  We had a super nice, comfortable bus for the 4 hour trip to Seljord and I think everyone slept most of the trip.  I sure did.   

Hotel had our rooms ready for us and I got the one I requested.  From years past, I know which one the internet works best in.  J  The front desk handed me a note from the Baggage Service saying they had my bag but would not deliver until 3 pm tomorrow.  You can imagine my reaction to that!  I started trying to call but the line rings and then a recording comes on saying they are really busy and then puts you on hold for about 10 minutes and ultimately cuts you off!  I called over and over and over again for about 2 hours and had my travel agent and office doing the same thing.  I finally won.   The agent told me the hotel was too far for them to deliver it today.  I told him that I had been assured when I left the airport that I would have it before midnight tonight.  I then told him that since I am Platinum Medallion on Delta and probably paid his salary this month with the price I paid for my ticket, he needed to either hire a taxi or put it on a train and get it up here to me.   He said he would check into it and call me back.  I assumed he said that to pacify me and I’d never hear from him again – nor would I be able to get anyone to answer the phone there again.   Surprisingly enough, he called back about a half hour later and said they had secured a courier to bring it up.  I knew they could do this because EVERY year the airlines lose someone’s bag or equipment and they deliver it to the hotel by courier. 

Met the guys for dinner and I had poached salmon (although the menu listed it as “trout”!).   Came back to the room to work on emails and at around 10:30 pm, got a call from the front desk that my bag was here.  J  Only thing “missing” was Zac.  LOL 

It’s only 10:30 pm but already totally dark here.  When I was in Breim several days ago, it didn’t get dark until midnight.  Going to unpack my things and go to bed very soon, I hope. 

Jude