The economic stopover A paragem económica (Em Português AQUI) We couldn’t leave the old continent without taking advantage of the perks of European low-cost travel. Well, to secure an affordable trip for the desired dates, we had two options with crazy layovers. We opted for an independent layover, spending a night in Oslo, which would give us more time for final preparations. We left at dawn, heading to the cold city. A few hours of work from the airport. A 10-minute transfer to the hotel that costs more than the flight from London to Oslo. After demagnetising two room cards and deactivating an elevator, nothing beats a hot shower and a comfortable bed to crash in. THE BEST PART – THE BREAKFAST Well-deserved rest, and in the morning, one of the best breakfasts of my life—but only 15 minutes to enjoy it. Unfair! Why was I so lazy to get up? Why didn’t anyone warn me that such a feast was waiting for me? The truth is, I didn’t expect such a varied and delicious hotel breakfast. Perfectly cooked eggs in multiple styles, bread, croissants, cheeses and cold cuts, fruit, salmon, etc. I hate wasting anything and want to try almost everything. But I couldn’t. If anyone stays at the SCANDIC OSLO AIRPORT and the chef is the same, please wake up early and enjoy what I couldn’t! We left for the airport with time to spare, only to discover that the line for LA was huge and the check-in time was absurd. THE COOL GROUP Out of nowhere, a lady asked if I was part of the group. What group? The group of tired people waiting for a flight? The group of people who are exhausted, half-dizzy, and lost in time zones, mentally calculating everything that will be needed or possibly forgotten? Turns out, the lady had only seen my protective jacket and thought I was part of the group she was looking for—a group of crazy adults on an organised Harley motorbike trip through California. I wasn’t even prepared for my own adventure yet, and I was already being identified as part of the community. Suddenly, I was surrounded by motorcycle fanatics, who out of nowhere started talking about engines, seats, and destinations with me just because I was wearing an Alpine jacket. Another proof that appearances deceive, and there I was, immersed in an unlikely environment. Doubts began to arise. Was I in the right place? They talked about the good things and the difficulties—the challenge of hitchhiking, the hardness of the seat, the wind, the heat, etc. The more I listened, the more doubts crept in. A feeling of regret started to bubble up, even though I saw them all excited for their adventure. I felt out of place, like the odd one out. Since I was the oddball, I became the court jester, someone to chat with to pass the time and distract from the long wait. Until a kind soul realised that at this pace, we’d all miss the flight, and they decided to open more check-in counters and speed up the process, creating special lanes so we could rush to catch the plane, which was almost leaving empty. Yes, this happened in organised Europe, in a punctual and efficient Nordic country. The rush was such that, of course, I ended up losing something. The thing I always lose, but this time I lost both: my gloves! Brand new, with tags, with a guarantee, with protection. The most expensive gloves I’ve ever had, and I never even got to use them. CELEBRITY MIRAGE Before boarding, a figure caught my attention because of how different he looked. A tall guy with style passed by like a celebrity, and for a moment, he seemed like Harry Styles. If he had taken off his sunglasses, maybe I could have confirmed I was wrong, but everything about him looked like Harry. But I’m terrible at recognising celebrities. After failing to recognise Mr. Rowan Atkinson, the eternal Mr. Bean, I no longer trust my facial recognition instincts. And obviously, Harry Styles wouldn’t be there travelling on a 12-hour low-cost flight from Oslo to LA. Maybe it was his double. THE BENEFIT OF BEING ON A BUDGET Anyway, I was lucky not to have paid extra for front-row seats, which were full, and ended up in the less populated back section, where there were six seats for two people. In other words, a long chaise for each of us—a kind of executive experience for the poor. I believe the gods were signalling that I needed to rest well for the adventure I was about to embark on. A luxury breakfast, unexpected comfort on the flight… sooner or later, I’ll have to pay for this. Thanks, Norse, for the trip! I didn’t know about you, but you’ll now be a go-to on my trusted list. Uma viagem para recusar Não podíamos deixar o velho continente sem aproveitar as regalias das viagens low-cost europeias. Pois bem, para conseguir uma viagem acessível, para as datas pretendidas tínhamos duas opções com escalas loucas. Optamos por uma escala independente, passando uma noite em Oslo, o que nos daria mais tempo para a organização final. Partimos de madrugada rumo à cidade fria. Umas horas a trabalhar desde o aeroporto e um transfer de 10 minutos para o hotel que custou mais do que a viagem Londres-Oslo. Depois de ter desmagnetizado dois cartões de entrada e desactivar um elevador, nada como um banho quente e uma cama confortável para cair. O PEQUENO ALMOÇO DOS DEUSES Descanso merecido e pela manhã um dos melhores pequenos almoços da vida mas apenas 15 minutos para o desfrutar. Injusto! Porquê tanta preguiça ao levantar? Porquê não me avisaram que estava à minha espera um manjar daqueles? A verdade é que não esperava um pequeno almoço de hotel tão variado e saboroso. Ovos perfeitamente cozinhados em múltiplas versões, pão, croissants, queijos e enchidos, fruta, salmão, etc. Não gosto de desperdiçar nada