Norway

My comfort zone; airports. I don’t fight ‘em, I go with the flow, enjoy people watching, try and maintain the stress level, which actually was a little tough today. It was the first time I’ve had to run for a flight for a long time. It always used to be this way until I mastered the art of flying -really ;-) After hearing my name and Joe’s called out for delaying the plane’s take off while at Amsterdam’s Schipol airport we sprinted to gate 63 not realising that we’d need to go through a second round of security and immigration.

Starting my journey at JFK, it was too funny and at times stupid. I was about to depart the USA on Virgin Atlantic, taking advantage of a free flight, courtesy of all those accumulated miles. I joined the throng heading through security and was lambasted by this very large sista, who no doubt, due to being confronted with so many Brits en route to London, decided it would tickle us if she adopted this Dick Van Dyke-from-the-Mary-Poppins-movie, patronising, British accent. After that, we were shouted at by some tough looking dudes and then shepherded through security, like dull eyed sheep. New York. Love it/ Hate it. It’ll be like this once the country implodes. The lunatics will take over the asylum.

Once in the UK I hooked up with Joe, at his house, and then we headed to Manchester airport, which seemed to be run by bouncy, chatty northern birds. Even I had a hard time understanding their accents, but it was refreshing after New York. They were operating the coffee stands and security and just about everything else. Next stop; Amsterdam’s Schipol airport and our flight attendants were beaming dutch milkmaids. Unfortunately, by this time, Joe and I were in a somnambulistic daze, due to the early time we had risen in order to make the flight. As a result, we almost missed the flight. Maybe I should focus and stop people (bird) watching so much...Right now I’m on a flight to Oslo so there will be other observations on the the cultural differences between the female of the species. Endlessly fascinating......We will be playing the interestingly named, Working Class Hero festival. Joe was just wondering about Norwegian food. Would they feed us roll-mop herrings or other such ‘delicacies? More later.....