Oslo, Gardermoen B&B

Oslo Airport

Reykjavik and then Gardermoen Airport both sport hardwood floors. Almost felt embarrassed when I asked for little footsies during the customs control check. It was only as I was putting myself together again that I realized how spotless the area appeared to be.

The toilet paper is less bleached, the toilet seat less bulky, the stalls less spacious and the counter tops around the sink less existent. The layout of furniture, stores and cafes is more streamlined ... Scandinavian ... and pleasing to the eye. Found the magazine Marie Claire Ides immediately in the Reykjavik Airport bookshop. Have not found it at chapters for a donkey's age.

So far the Norwegian news has had a story about lobster fishing, lamb butchering, chocolate making in a mountainous village by the sea, learning to dancethe tangoand the weather is showing rain and low temperatures all along the coast for Fredag. Have already seen enough singing wanbees, crazy competitions for fame and some sort of number game with rolling drum a la bingo ... am only watching with one eye and it is all in Norske. American series are presented with subtitles. That's one way to perfect ones English. Right now 'House' is playing!

The geographic look in Norway may be similar to the Laurentian Shield of Canada around Hudsons Bay but it is much more stark. The leaves are changing colour and the spruce and pine look the same. There is an abundance of lakes, bogs and rivers ... but there are no red maples ... not as far as I have seen in the ten minute drive from the airport to the B&B.

Stayed at a B&B called Gargermoen. It was the closest to the airport with somewhat reasonable prizes. With the shuttle to and from the airpport the room cost 824NOK . The evening meal consisting of pressed pork, four naked potatoes, some small salad, a big spoon of sauerkraut assailed with masses of caraway seed and a generous amount of gravy on it all.The dinner is ordered fromenu at receptionm and then arrives at table most assuredly via the microwave.The only part of the meal really hot was the sauerkraut.
That microvaved plate cost me 149NOK ..That's ~$# *&... $30!!! ...27.09 for mathematics sticklers. The only desert on offer was a basket stacked with candy bars. Did I mention read costs extra. Coffee comes only out of a machine for a price of 10NOK. It is free duruing breakfast. Enjoyed the meal especially because I had not eaten anything since the chinese in Boston and I had not yet done the math..

The Gardrmoen is a good place to stay and the staff is most helpful and everyone speaks English. Rest in bed is required after an abnormal number of takeoffs and landings to get to the other side of the Atlantic.Have to havea talk with Icelanair about that. Cheaper in dollars but in time most extravagant.

The bed, right in front of a TV with six channels, is extremely comfy with a feather comforter, white crisp sheets and ample pillow. Helped myself to the pillow from bed number two.Both beds are very narrow and for that reason chose bed one which stands against the wall. The shower is perfect, that is to say does not leak at all, has lots of hot water and there are two plush towels for drying and wrapping.

It was a great relief to get into the bed. The 'support hose' were a success and no 'fat' ankled were ein evidence. Although it must be reported that the socks did not dry overnight. The Tilly's underwear better be dry in the morning! I will have to make a collect call to Mr. Tilley ... well an email anyway ...what? <tilleysendurables.com>?

Of to dreamland with visions of TV5 in my ears .... reading the Norsky subtitles was becoming a chore.

The 05:30 call was highly anticipated, and I was already dressed when the automated waker upper rang ....and I was ready to practice my two words ..no make that four of Norsky.

The breakfast spread began at 03:30, for people with early flights. I ate my herring, kaviar and m ackeral in tomato sauce with toast that was tricky to get out of the hot toaster. Everyone sliced their own bread. Thank goodness there was a cloth with which to hold the remaining bread ... still not my idea of hygiene ... but then I did use that hot toaster. Cheese, especially that lovely caramel coloured one, cold cuts and cereal were on offer. Lots of tubes and aluminium pots and squeeze bags of mayonnaise, kaviar, chocolate spread, four kinds of jam, honey, butter and margarine waited in small round baskets. Prepared spreads of meat and eggs in mayonnaise waited in small glass bowls.Soft white bread or soft whole wheat bread were arranged in plastic bags. Cornflakes and muesili were contained stoneware jugs. Juice and milk, coffee and tea rounded out the breakfast fare. No frsh produce to be seen; neither banana or orange, nor tomato or cucumber. There was a cloth nest of cooked eggs and palstic egg cups for the hard boiled ovals.

Two cups of Nescafe machine coffee and a second helping of the Fleischsalat and I was on my way to the airport the train into Oslo Central Station and beyond. The yellow minivan dropped where it had picked me up the day before. Spirit and heart of forty three, body of well beyond that , I thanked me for the eighteen hour and close to 1000NOK experience at Gardermoen B&B.

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