American Idiot in Finland

When we last left our heroines, they were trying to get to Stockholm in time to board the boat for their cruise. Our flight to Canada had been cancelled and United had put us on a plane to Lisbon. From Lisbon, we were to fly to Stockholm. However, the flight to Lisbon left 2 hours behind schedule, so we missed the flight to Stockholm. While in the air, United booked us on a flight with Scandavian Airlines to Stockholm. This was not apparent until we landed though.

Lisbon has technology, where, upon landing you scan your passport, fingerprints, and answer some questions. Andrea had no problems whereas I was routed to stand in a long line. While I standed in line, Andrea tried to determine if we actually had a seat because a seat number wasn’t assigned to us and our electronic tickets indicated  waitlisted.

I finally reached security and he inquired as to where I was going. I replied Stockholm and security replied, “Home?”

“No. Not home. Stockholm. I wasn’t even supposed to be here - but here I am.”

Security said he understood while I felt he absolutely did not but at least I got through.

Andrea and I got in another line where they told us they couldn’t help us.

I went to baggage claim - a sign indicated the last bag from DC had rolled off over an hour ago. Neither of our bags were in sight. Andrea was still working to learn what our flight status really was and I got in line for lost baggage.

“Do you have your baggage tickets?” The woman asked.

“Ugh. No.” I groaned, realizing they were with Andrea and hastily texting her.

The woman, the first helpful person I’d encountered at the Lisbon airport replied, “Once you get the tickets, just come back and wave me down. Don’t stand in one again.”

There was a lag in texting at this airport so I agreed to return once pics of the tickets rolled through, which they did shortly after I’d relinquished my spot in the line. I popped ahead of the line and waved the woman down again. She summoned me forward, jotted my info down, and proceeded to make a series of calls.

I texted Andrea with an update, “She told me to go back to baggage claim number 9, wait 20-minutes, then bypass the line if they don’t show up.”

This sounded implausible to me - as if our luggage would magically, belatedly appear. Without any other options, I did as she said.

Within 10 minutes, our bags were dispensed.

“Holy shit.” I said in disbelief, scrambling to my feet.

I’m going to spare you the rest of the Lisbon airport tales but suffice it to say, it was loosely organized chaos.

We arrived in Stockholm 12-hours later - unlike the Lisbon airport experience, the Stockholm airport was calm, orderly, clean.

After Lisbon, it felt like a grandmother murmuring, “There, there…”

I think it was after 1 AM by the time we fell into the bed at the Stockholm Sheraton, Andrea mumbling that this was the most challenging travel experience we’d encountered to date.

Monday was much better & we got on board the boat without issue.

We spent Tuesday in Helsinki, Finland. I always learn so much about world history when I travel to other countries & wonder if I’m the only American idiot, or if I’m in good company. I was surprised to learn that 8-stories (or 100 feet) beneath the city is an entire city with space for close to one million people to retreat in the event of attack. This isn’t just a fallout shelter - it is comprised of  playgrounds, gyms, running tracks, art spaces and band rehearsal rooms, swimming pools, a museum and a church.

These shelters originated following the Second World War.

Our tour guide, Christine (age 71) explained there are drills conducted (I believe every 3 years) and she is among the many who has a special job during the drills.

She asked if we were familiar with the term “sauna politics” (I wasn’t - please refer to American Idiot comment above). In 1960, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev visited Helsinki to celebrate Finnish President Urho Kekkonen’s 60th birthday. As Cold War tensions ran high, the two leaders spent the night in a wooden cabin, sweating in 90°C heat and pouring water over hot stones. By 5:00 AM, after sharing the steam and a swim in the Baltic Sea, Khrushchevagreed to support Finland’s wish to connect with the West. This event made sauna politics (also referred to as sauna diplomacy) an unusual but effective tool in international relations.

"American Idiot", Green Day

Don't wanna be an American idiot

Don't want a nation under the new media

And can you hear the sound of hysteria?

The subliminal mind fuck America