THE SAME AS IT EVER WAS - KøBENHAVN TO ÖSTERSUND - DAY 18

I wake up before my alarm, do my routine, and check out. It’s pissing rain outside- perfect time to leave Denmark, but the worst time to leave for the train station. I regroup in the lobby, and put my rain coat on, and walk the three or four blocks over. The raincoat does almost nothing, and I am completely soaked. Both backpacks are wet, the front part of my cap is wet, my pants are soaked, my undershirt is soaked, and boots and socks are soaked.

I drip into the station, angry faced, and walk over to the green ticket station. I change the language and try to buy a ticket to the airport, but it says it would take an hour!! No way, coming into the city from the airport, was only 20mins, tops. I don’t buy the ticket, but ask a Dane buying a ticket next to me on a different machine. The helps desk is only open at 9AM, and I’m at the station by 8:10AM. He walks me through, but doesn’t know English. He says this might be a different line, and something I should buy on the red machines. I thank him and move along. The first red machine doesn’t take my coins after I try to buy. I try the machine next to it which works. It says the train leaves in four minutes, so I check the screens and there’s nothing for the airport- Everything only shows the end destination. My ticket is in Danish, but there are only two numbers on it, “1” for how many tickets, and “3”, which I’m assuming is the track number. I go downstairs to that one first, and ask the conductor on that train if this is going to the airport. He says no, it’s the next track over. I go up and then down to that track. I see a sign for the airport on track two so I take that one. I want to make sure this is correct, because like I said, it only shows the end station on the screen. (I looked at the maps, but don’t know which line I’m on- I can’t even find the track name for the airport). Still soaking wet, I walk over to a passenger on the same track, and ask if this train is definitely going to the airport. He says it ISN'T, and that it’s behind me on track 1. I can’t get a clue at this point, and there’s no official person to ask, so I take the train on the first track. From the start, everyone has luggage, and it’s packed, so I THINK this is right.

I get on, but my gut is telling me something’s not right. It doesn’t feel like we’re going in the right direction. I check my downloadable map, and sure enough, it’s going he opposite way. Everyone around me is plugged in on their phones except for the person behind me. I ask if this train is going to the airport, and she confirms my suspicions- It's not. I get off at the second stop. Stressed, soaking, and worried, I see two workers sitting at the bench. I tell them my story, and they put me over to track 4. I go up and down again with all my stuff, and hang out here. I have a moment of panic and sickness in my stomach when I can’t find my phone. It’s takes me a minute, but I forgot in my rush to get off the train, that I had slipped it into my jacket pocket instead of my pants pocket. I’m relieved to the point of where the possibility of running late to the airport is slightly relieved. I thank my lucky stars, as I've avoided losing my only means of communication, flight info, photos, and a $600 replacement. Crisis averted. Now for the flight.

It’s 8:45AM, so I’m still plenty early for my 11:45AM flight, but because something went massively wrong, and I'm tired, cold and wet, I get a little teary eyed. I check with another passenger wearing a blue shirt, if this train is DEFINITELY going to the airport. The screens here actually make it very clear, and it blatantly says, “Copenhagen Airport” above the track. He verifies this for me regardless, and we begin to chat. He’s from Norway going back to work at a new job. Speaking with him is extremely comforting as we get on the train together, and tells me it should only be 20mins from here.

We ride for a bit, until an announcement comes on. We have to change trains at the central station because there’s a problem on the track- Maybe from the rain, but I don’t know for sure. We look at each other, and say, “of course”, as we stressfully roll our eyes.

We come back to where I started at Central Station, and he follows me over to track 6. He decides to take a different train, but walks with me anyway to check the screen and make sure track 6 is definitely, DEFINITELY the right one. It comes at 9:07AM. I thank him before boarding, and my gut feels good about this train. We’re going in the right direction, and it even has the Copenhagen Airport listed as one of its stops on the train itself. Thank God. I’m on my way, still soaked, and it takes 20mins. Of course...It stops raining the moment I get on this train.

I come in to the airport for a self check-in, and tag my bag. Before I do the bag drop, I hit the bathroom to change my clothes. It feels heavenly to have a dry shirt and socks. My boots are still wet, and my pants are quick dry and half way to being H2O free. Cold from being wet, I add a sweatshirt, and put all my wet clothes in my plastic breakfast bag and inside my big pack.

I do the bag drop and head for security. I’m still doing well on time, but what a wake up call. Security is long, but I undress and redress when it’s my turn, and head for my gate. I don’t feel well, but I think it’s just because of my nerves this morning...I hope. In any case, I feel better after, and finally relax before boarding.

The flights aren’t much to talk about. I read my new book, close my eyes a little, listen to music- Nothing special. The gate to Östersund is the same gate it was 20 years ago. I buy a $10 ham and cheese sandwich- the cheapest food I could find, and sit next to a MASSIVE guy with a middle seat. He wasn’t fat, just a BIG GUY. I initially felt bad for him at first, but then thought, what an idiot for picking a middle seat in economy, when he’s a grown ass man who knows how big he is- Like damn, take the aisle!

We land and Mom and Dad are the first to greet me at the door. We’re happy to see each other. Mom’s hugs are extra long with numerous cheek kisses, until I break it up by saying, “Mom, it’s only been three days”.

We scoop up my luggage, and hit the road to Faster Gebba’s.

We come to the same apartment that she’s had for the past 18 years. It hasn’t changed, and it’s good to see my other Faster, and spend proper time with her since the wedding a few days prior in Gotland.

It’s wonderful to be with her because even though I’m still not fluent in Swedish, it’s gppd enough to get by at this point, and we can properly communicate with each other for the first time. I feel the closest with my aunt than ever before.

We celebrate with a little bubbly, and then enjoy a beautiful cheese, ham and potato dinner together that Gebba had prepared. After, we enjoy a traditional, Swedish hjortron dessert with homemade wafers and creme. It’s just like Farmor used to make, and it pulls me right back into the moment when I had it in Gaddede with Farmor and Farfar. People forget that you can only get hjortron berries in the forest. This is truly hemma jord “Home made”. It’s absolutely delicious.

After savoring my childhood in a desert dish, we catch up from the wedding, and retire in the living room to watch some American crime TV. The RIZK commercial that I had worked on with Pär in California is playing in between the show. I can’t believe it! I knew Scandinavians were the client on set that day, but I’d never seen it, and suddenly in Sweden, there it is!! Mom and Gebba are thrilled, Dad is already sleeping. You can check it out on SVT channel 6 if you’re curious.

We thank Gebba over and over for dinner, and go to bed to see Ulrica tomorrow! I can’t wait...I think it’s been 12 years since I’d seen her last.