"Why did Sofia get on that car?" ;)

22-06-2005

Brussels South-Charleroi airport-Figeholm, Sweden

Me and Fox left work around 4.30pm, we were supposed to meet with Sofia in the South train station. Fox told me that morning he had listened to a song that put him into the holidays mood "je ne veux pas travailler, je ne veux pas dejeuner, je veux seulement oublier...je ne suis pas fier de ca...", Fox was quite excited. We got to Brussels station around 5pm or so, tried to reach Sofia but couldn't. So, we went to "Subway" to buy sandwiches, and also to Godiva to buy chocolate for Sofia's parents.

When we met Sofia and had to run fast to catch the bus to Charleroi airport, the bus left!!!! Of course, the stress level had just gone up, and when Sofia stressed, her brain also went blank I think ;-). She was running in the front, tried to make sign to the bus conductor (only later we knew) without success, and then got into a car (me and Fox were running after). When we reached the car (which we thought it was the airport shuttle, we never flew with Ryan Air before):

Sofia: "get in, get in"
Me: "I can't" and wondered why the hell does she have a baby seat in the back if she needs to drive someone to the airport? (there was a baby seat in the back of the car)
The woman: "closed the door"
Sofia: "but we are three", and turned to me "just get in"
Me: "I can't"- for a moment I thought maybe I might have fitted that baby chair ;-))
Fox: "I can't open the trunk, tell her to open the trunk" - in an irritated voice
The woman: "ferme la porte, et on va arreter le bus, et le faire retourner.."
Sofia: "ok, I will come back, guys"

When Sofia left, Fox turned to me: "was that the shuttle? why the hell did Sofia enter to that woman's car?", then we waited. Sofia walked back, obviously, it wans't the shuttle and they failed to stop the bus, the lady was really nice though, she just asked Sofia to get into her car, and tried to help ;-), we were about to decide to either take a taxi or train, then there was a guy came offered to drive us to Charleroi at the same price as the bus (he was not a black taxi driver or anything, just tried to be nice, because he had to drive his girlfriend there if she missed the bus, but she didn't ;-)). And that got him into the trouble with the taxi drivers there, so we thanked him and decided to call Luc for a drive, we gave him 40E for the gaz.

After all the hassles, we arrived in Charleroi, checked in, and the flight was ahead of schedule ;-). From the plane, it was really nice to see Sweden, very green, lots of water, pine trees, islands...and very few houses (compare to Belgium). Apparently, there are about 24 inhabitants per square km only.

We arrived in Stockholm South airport a bit earlier than expected, took our rental car, and drove to Figeholm where Sofia's summer house is. I slept on the way, so missed out the wild animals. It was about 3h car drive, and we finally reach our destinations about 2.30am ;-).

Very cute little place, wooden, warm and it gives a feeling of home, the ceiling was low, if we were a bit higher, I guess we can't walk in ;-).

I had slept very good that night