Arrival Day
Aug. 4th, 2017 08:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ismoThat was a long, long journey! With the internet and tv and all, one can forget just how big the world really is. Those places you can see and communicate with so easily are really far, far away. I had been up for 24 hours, except for a couple of brief naps on the plane. All I've got so far are random things. 1. We packed light (we thought), planning on getting some laundry done at the hotel mid-week. So we were traveling with one personal item and a carry-on. Well, no matter how light you pack, those carry-ons get heavy after you schlep them through three airports. On the way home, I definitely want to check my bag. 2. When we landed, the airport was socked in with heavy clouds and mist. We waited for the bus in a lashing rain. The street by the bus stop was flooded. Finnish drivers are very kind and polite. Without fail, they slowed and moved over to the opposite curb to avoid drenching us in their wake. As the bus zipped along through the rain, I saw evergreen trees I did not recognize, and stands of birch trees, and big slabs of granite rock. It reminded me of the Upper Peninsula--where, in fact, many people of Finnish extraction settled and made their homes.
3. When we finally reached our hotel, all I wanted to do was lie down. I know they recommend that you stay up till you can sleep on your new time zone's schedule, if you want to avoid jet lag. Never mind that--I just passed out. The Sparrowhawk wanted to go and get something to eat, and I kept saying to myself, "I really need to get up now," but my body replied "Caaaan't. CANNOT DO." And then I'd pass out again. 4. After a couple of hours I did wake up. By then, the clouds had magically rolled away, and the sky was a lovely blue, with the sun high in the sky and at a funny angle--because we're at the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. Or St. Petersburg. We walked around the neighborhood and heard a beautiful street concert by two violins, two violas, a cello, and a bass. Then we stopped in a cafe and had a bite to eat while sitting outside. A drink would have been nice, but I dare not. My stomach is very unhappy due to schedule changes and awful airplane food. After we ate, I crashed again and had to go back to the hotel. Where I had a shower--heaven!--and I'm about to pass out again. I hate to go to bed so early, but there. Are. No. Options.
3. When we finally reached our hotel, all I wanted to do was lie down. I know they recommend that you stay up till you can sleep on your new time zone's schedule, if you want to avoid jet lag. Never mind that--I just passed out. The Sparrowhawk wanted to go and get something to eat, and I kept saying to myself, "I really need to get up now," but my body replied "Caaaan't. CANNOT DO." And then I'd pass out again. 4. After a couple of hours I did wake up. By then, the clouds had magically rolled away, and the sky was a lovely blue, with the sun high in the sky and at a funny angle--because we're at the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. Or St. Petersburg. We walked around the neighborhood and heard a beautiful street concert by two violins, two violas, a cello, and a bass. Then we stopped in a cafe and had a bite to eat while sitting outside. A drink would have been nice, but I dare not. My stomach is very unhappy due to schedule changes and awful airplane food. After we ate, I crashed again and had to go back to the hotel. Where I had a shower--heaven!--and I'm about to pass out again. I hate to go to bed so early, but there. Are. No. Options.
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Date: 2017-08-04 06:25 pm (UTC)