Packing and Traveling

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    These past few days have been rather crazy! The school I’m attending, Agder Folkehøgskole, sent out a packing list that began with “wool, wool and wool.” Over the last few months we’ve been stocking up on wool clothes in preparation for this trip, as well as getting my winter jackets, snow pants, and hiking gear together. We were advised to buy as much as we could at home, because Norway is very expensive. Two days ago, the packing situation looked like this:



    After an insane amount of cramming things in tiny places, I ended up with two checked bags, each weighing 45 pounds, a carry on backpack, and a hefty purse. I mostly packed clothes and some books, but I also brought games and cards for quarantine, and a few items for my dorm room—peep baby yoda peeking out!



    All packed and ready to go, I left at 6pm from Logan airport, for a 6 hour 45 minute flight to Amsterdam. There was hardly anyone on the plane, and they even had to move a few people's seats, including my own, so that the plane would be correctly weighted. I had an entire middle section of four seats to myself, so I made quite a comfortable bed and fell right asleep!


    Arriving in Amsterdam was fine, but then I had to start the increasingly painful 9 hour layover. I arrived at 7am Dutch time--about 1am Boston time--and found some comfy (ish) chairs to nap in before I tried to find my gate for the Norway flight. My gate was about as far away from where I landed as possible, but I finally got there, got some food, and was able to chill out for a bit before the 1 hour flight to Kristiansand, Norway. 




    The Kristiansand airport is extremely small, and since I'd already gone through European/Schengen Customs in Amsterdam, I was able to get off the plane, grab my bags and leave the airport quickly. Waiting for me was the school's vice principal, holding a sign with my name on it! It was about a 30 minute drive to Agder, and when I got there I was shown to my flat for quarantining. It's a large apartment-type space, with a kitchen and bathroom.


    I had to set up last night, put sheets on my bed, make dinner, and get my luggage organized. I'm very excited to finally be in Norway! 

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