International Travel is Strenuous for Seniors

Strenuous is the only word to describe our trip yesterday. We traveled Icelandair, which was fine. We admired the new Terminal E wing at Logan in Boston. On the trip from Reykjavik to Oslo, we felt the power of the 737 Max 9, the shorter-body model. (No need to worry about the plane’s losing a door plug!) What a pleasant, smooth ride. But my husband announced that he does not plan to return to the USA. International travel at 85 is a challenge. After remaining seated for sixteen hours, Sven experienced back pain. The airport in Reykjavick uses buses to transport passengers from tarmac to terminal. Fortunately, a kind American traveler helped Sven exit the bus and negotiate the icy sidewalk. He commented, “Typical of Americans. Offering to help people in need of help.” Martin, a close friend of our friend Tommy, met us at Oslo’s Guardermoen Airport and drove us the three hours back to Strömstad where we admired two feet of fresh snow, and I trudged downtown through sidewalk sludge to purchase Sven’s meds and some food. (Local snowplow drivers were caught unawares. Apparently, there are not enough of them either.) We’re here though, and grateful, staying in a house at Selater Camping. Here’s the pre-dawn view.