Leaving for Norway

Aaron & Tahoe have made it safely to Norway, and now it was my turn with the kids. Aaron and I chose to travel separately in case Tahoe had trouble clearing customs here in Norway. Aaron would have shipped him back to me instead of the 4 month quarantine in Oslo (6 hours away from our new city). Happily Tahoe made it through and Aaron was getting things ready for our arrival in a week.

We are all ready to go…and I am not too nervous about the move in general. I really don’t like flying but our flight was an overnight one so I hoped that the kids slept during the 9 hour journey. I was a little concerned that Logan would have a hard time, since he just turned 2.5 but he was just great. Avery was awesome as his big sister and my little helper. She is a traveling pro, loves her new rolling pony luggage, and literally led me through all of the airports rolling along. They both slept on the plane a little and didn’t truly complain much at all. And if they did, it usually was because they were tired or hungry, and they got over it quickly.

The problems I had during the transatlantic journey were not from my munchkins…they were from everyone else! For example, the airport shuttle driver sat in the drivers seat as I packed his van, didn’t lift a finger to help me at my hotel or at the airport. We were authorized 2 bags per person so I had 6 pieces of luggage, a double stroller, 2 carseats & 3 carry-ons. I had asked him for help but he pointed to the sign that read “Passengers are Responsible for Their Own Luggage". A mom traveling alone and you can’t even get out of the drivers seat to help just a little? grrrrrr (I filed a complaint) I did have wonderful friends who offered to drive me to the airport, but I had already said goodbye and just wanted to pay for a shuttle since the government picked up the tab and because we had a lot of luggage. Big mistake…

After I checked in and dragged all the checked bags to the Xray machine at check in, (grrrrr) A TSA agent at security took over 15 minutes to swab my double stroller and test any residue with me helplessly looking on. Of course I couldn’t make any snarky comments, or I’d be delayed even more….but seriously, do I look like a terrorist to you? Traveling on military orders with State Dept passports, two children under the age of 5 and rolling Avery’s pony & Logan’s fishy luggage? A female TSA agent came to my defense and scolded the agent, but that made the male TSA agent work EVEN MORE SLOWLY, as to antagonize her. At one point, he found a chapstick in my stroller and put it in a cup and went to the Xray machine and scanned just the damn chapstick…before he would release my stroller to me. (I filed a formal complaint.) I won’t talk about the items taken from me at security by the same agent, I am working to get those back. grrrrr. It also didn't help that I was being paged by the airline "Allgeyer Party of 3, we are waiting for Allgeyer Party of 3...FINAL BOARDING CALL". Apparently this international flight finished boarding 30 minutes before takeoff. Mama was NOT HAPPY. grrrrr

We got to Frankfurt and had about 30 minutes to get used to the sunlight (it was 3am EST) and these kids were great. Avery & Logan found a friend and played with her until our flight boarded. All was well.

Next, at Stavanger airport, the Lufthansa personnel at the gate said she couldn’t find my gate-checked stroller and told me to go complain about it at baggage claim. She then walked away…huh? But how was I going to get there with two small children, 3 carry-ons, a purse and one carseat? The stroller was my kid & carry-on cart! At this point, I had had enough and loudly complained to any Lufthansa staff in the area within earshot….and miraculously, within minutes, my stroller was found and brought to me! grrrrrr

Needless to say we arrived in Stavanger safely, and as soon as I saw Aaron I burst into tears…I don't know why, maybe because I missed him, or the complete lack of sleep for me, or because we finally had made it. I just wanted everyone safe and together…and I delivered. But whew what a trip! I moved overseas 13 years ago for the Air Force, but it was just me, minimal furniture, no tears, no money and no clue....and it was great! It was much harder this time, with two little people counting on me…I was very cautious, concerned and so many events made me crazy. Boy how times have changed!

But we are here in Norway! Together and excited for the next THREE years! We are living in an apartment for the next two months, hopefully finding a suitable house to live in before 60 days of apartment living are up. We’ll see how that goes! Off to sleep for the next 3 days, which I am sure will help me shake the negativity... LOL!!!