Thursday, 26th
Early morning after a light breakfast of muffins (from flam) and hot coffee, we walked across to the information booth across the street to figure out the information on bus timings to the airport.
We were flying to Aberdeen (Scotland) in the afternoon.
Coming from practically deserted places like Copenhagen, Oslo, Flam, Voss and suddenly encountering masses of people at Bergen, came as a total surprise. Bergen was just like another large city, identifiable with all the charms, like malls, retail chain stores, night clubs, crowded streets and market places.
It was windy and we walked through the rain swept streets, passing by the fish market which was stirring to life, the post office (from where we bought postcards for home) and finally the mall. We were practically running, hoping that our act of doing things faster would eventually help us reach Aberdeen earlier. But I think Bergen had its own plans.
We picked up noodles to cook at the hostel, from a shop at the mall. There was a very lovely hobby shop which stocked anything that one could think of. From candle and soap making stuff to doll houses, stained glass essentials, glitters, doll houses just about everything for all age groups.
We went back to the hostel, cooked and ate our noodle preparation, a little watery and a little salty to our liking. Our bags were already packed and carrying our backpacks and day packs, G and I walked towards the bus stop excitedly after checking out of the hostel. We still had some time and this time G entered another exciting shop called Ting. It was a home decor shop with some interesting stuff on display. The mud in our shoes disrupted the decor and the shoppers and staff gave us such looks that it made sense to leave them at peace, soon.
The bus ride was uneventful except for a few boisterous youngsters. One of them had his jeans slung so low that G and I feared the boy will walk and the jeans will remain back, lying in a heap. Well we reached the airport an hour early and realised that due to the weather and technical snag the flight is delayed by an hour. We had passed through the customs, so we had nothing else but to explore the duty free shops and drink coffee at the lounge and stare at all the other plane's taking off. The flight was further delayed and the weather also wasn't looking too promising (like I mentioned, Bergen had other plans). We were anxious because David had promised us to pick up from the airport. David and Ann a lovely couple, G had befriended few months back over the internet. They had a common hobby - soap making. When we were making our plans, they had offered their residence to us to put up.
The flight offered us a large chocolate muffin and more coffee and in the meantime G picked up a nice bottle of local Vodka for David, hoping he enjoyed the drink.
Finally the flight was announced and the impatient passengers that we were, quickly boarded the plane. The pilot and the staff made some serious attempts at humor but it failed on us. On board we had wine and tuna and mayo sandwich, which I greedily ate.
The flight finally landed at Aberdeen at about 9 pm in the evening. Dark clouds carrying rain, covered the sky and it looked they were bursting in their seams. The lady at the passport control was not particularly friendly at seeing two dark skinned youngsters with heavy backpacks. After she was suitably answered we were allowed to step out of this small airport in Scotland. We realised we were the last of the passengers walking out in the nearly empty waiting halls. We were upset because of the delay, questions and the inconvenience that David would have gone through (we had asked him not to wait for us, we would come by a cab) But to our surprise in a corner of the waiting hall, a pleasant looking and an anxious David waiting for us (it seemed he had just aged waiting for us, and we felt very guilty).
He offered us dinner, which we declined and made our way to the car park. After fumbling with the car keys and then the parking slip, we made ourselves comfortable in the cute little Volkswagen. It was raining heavily with practically zero visibility and we began our long drive to Forfar, a small little hamlet. David was a funny guy with a great sense of humor. Although we were comfortable with each other but throughout the journey we all were very guarded in our questions and replies. I think so because we were strangers to each other at that point in time.
It was about 12 am that we reached their home and Ann was out walking the dogs. We sat at the conservatory which was pleasantly warm. David was visibly tired and had a beer and offered me one. We exchanged notes about our backgrounds, how long we intended to stay, where all we had been and where all we wanted to go. We were carrying colorful cushions and a paisley designed beaded handbag for Ann which they were very happy to receive.
Ann was participating in the yearly horse fair, where she was selling her soaps and had to leave early the next day. It about 2 am, I think we finally went to bed. As we lay there we thought how readily they had accepted us as a part of their family and done everything possible to make us comfortable. They had prepared a very cozy room for us, with separate beds and duvet. This was luxury and home after sleeping in impersonal bunk beds in dormitories for so long. Sleep came easy.
Early morning after a light breakfast of muffins (from flam) and hot coffee, we walked across to the information booth across the street to figure out the information on bus timings to the airport.
We were flying to Aberdeen (Scotland) in the afternoon.
Coming from practically deserted places like Copenhagen, Oslo, Flam, Voss and suddenly encountering masses of people at Bergen, came as a total surprise. Bergen was just like another large city, identifiable with all the charms, like malls, retail chain stores, night clubs, crowded streets and market places.
It was windy and we walked through the rain swept streets, passing by the fish market which was stirring to life, the post office (from where we bought postcards for home) and finally the mall. We were practically running, hoping that our act of doing things faster would eventually help us reach Aberdeen earlier. But I think Bergen had its own plans.
We picked up noodles to cook at the hostel, from a shop at the mall. There was a very lovely hobby shop which stocked anything that one could think of. From candle and soap making stuff to doll houses, stained glass essentials, glitters, doll houses just about everything for all age groups.
We went back to the hostel, cooked and ate our noodle preparation, a little watery and a little salty to our liking. Our bags were already packed and carrying our backpacks and day packs, G and I walked towards the bus stop excitedly after checking out of the hostel. We still had some time and this time G entered another exciting shop called Ting. It was a home decor shop with some interesting stuff on display. The mud in our shoes disrupted the decor and the shoppers and staff gave us such looks that it made sense to leave them at peace, soon.
The bus ride was uneventful except for a few boisterous youngsters. One of them had his jeans slung so low that G and I feared the boy will walk and the jeans will remain back, lying in a heap. Well we reached the airport an hour early and realised that due to the weather and technical snag the flight is delayed by an hour. We had passed through the customs, so we had nothing else but to explore the duty free shops and drink coffee at the lounge and stare at all the other plane's taking off. The flight was further delayed and the weather also wasn't looking too promising (like I mentioned, Bergen had other plans). We were anxious because David had promised us to pick up from the airport. David and Ann a lovely couple, G had befriended few months back over the internet. They had a common hobby - soap making. When we were making our plans, they had offered their residence to us to put up.
The flight offered us a large chocolate muffin and more coffee and in the meantime G picked up a nice bottle of local Vodka for David, hoping he enjoyed the drink.
Finally the flight was announced and the impatient passengers that we were, quickly boarded the plane. The pilot and the staff made some serious attempts at humor but it failed on us. On board we had wine and tuna and mayo sandwich, which I greedily ate.
The flight finally landed at Aberdeen at about 9 pm in the evening. Dark clouds carrying rain, covered the sky and it looked they were bursting in their seams. The lady at the passport control was not particularly friendly at seeing two dark skinned youngsters with heavy backpacks. After she was suitably answered we were allowed to step out of this small airport in Scotland. We realised we were the last of the passengers walking out in the nearly empty waiting halls. We were upset because of the delay, questions and the inconvenience that David would have gone through (we had asked him not to wait for us, we would come by a cab) But to our surprise in a corner of the waiting hall, a pleasant looking and an anxious David waiting for us (it seemed he had just aged waiting for us, and we felt very guilty).
He offered us dinner, which we declined and made our way to the car park. After fumbling with the car keys and then the parking slip, we made ourselves comfortable in the cute little Volkswagen. It was raining heavily with practically zero visibility and we began our long drive to Forfar, a small little hamlet. David was a funny guy with a great sense of humor. Although we were comfortable with each other but throughout the journey we all were very guarded in our questions and replies. I think so because we were strangers to each other at that point in time.
It was about 12 am that we reached their home and Ann was out walking the dogs. We sat at the conservatory which was pleasantly warm. David was visibly tired and had a beer and offered me one. We exchanged notes about our backgrounds, how long we intended to stay, where all we had been and where all we wanted to go. We were carrying colorful cushions and a paisley designed beaded handbag for Ann which they were very happy to receive.
Ann was participating in the yearly horse fair, where she was selling her soaps and had to leave early the next day. It about 2 am, I think we finally went to bed. As we lay there we thought how readily they had accepted us as a part of their family and done everything possible to make us comfortable. They had prepared a very cozy room for us, with separate beds and duvet. This was luxury and home after sleeping in impersonal bunk beds in dormitories for so long. Sleep came easy.
1 comment:
aww that's such a cute write-up...
cheers
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