Still six months ago one could order Kyrö distillery’s world-famous gin-and-tonic cocktail in Finnair business class. Now, going home there was no business class and no alcoholic drink service, only sachets of Kyrö distillery’s hand disinfectant gel. Times change.
The disinfectant came with a surface wipe for devices, armrests, and tray table, as well as a little booklet reassuring the passenger about the safety of cabin air. Perhaps it was required, as the two-by-two -seated Embraer 190 was packed with passengers going to Copenhagen.
For a while now, taxis in Copenhagen have had a protective screen between driver and passenger. It does lack in style compared to old-fashion limousine screens with little shuttable windows. Guess there is no going back in time.
Also, the screen carries a big bottle of – you guessed it – hand sanitizer. And as of mid-August, wearing a mask in the cab became a requirement, both for drivers and passengers.
(Copenhagen, Denmark; July 2020)
Sometimes the airplane flies nearly above our house while making its approach to Billund airport. This time we flew further North, following Vejle Fjord inland to where it meets the harbor and city center. And yes, Denmark really is that flat (save for the few hills inland on Jutland and all the way North of Zealand).
Swoosh: across the Alps and into a way-too-fancy airport hotel where I spent a good 6 hours in a meeting. All I truly experienced of Italy was the sveltering heat outside and a plate of penne all’arabbiata.
One random wing shot in my smartphone camera roll. I cannot remember where I was going, or where I came from. Helsinki, Copenhagen, Billund, London, Stockholm – could be any of them.
I have only seen the coastline surrounding New York City from the air, and each time there is something new to discover. Fire Island looks like a wonderful place to visit for long walks on the beach and adventuring out in the shallows during ebb. Lucky locals.
35,000 feet above the Earth allows a new view, each time. For example how far Keflavik airport really is from Reykjavik city (above). And how icy and cold it still is in New Brunswick, when there are leaves in the trees in Denmark.
And how magnificent Mounts Katahdin and Hamlin look from the stratosphere. This is also the Northern end of the Appalachian trail. While my broken knees may never take me up on top of Katahdin, the Appalachian trail sure is on my bucket list – with a cheat start at the foot of the mountain.
(Above Iceland and North America; April 2019)
If one lives on a mountaintop, one sees more of morning sunlight. The days are shorter in the valleys. So which one will you choose? Sheltered still shorter days; or wild windy longer ones? And what about the days of your life?
My current bi-weekly commute: Billund to London City airport. In the cutest tiniest passenger jet possible. With artisan ice cream served on board. This does beat the impossibly-early mornings of the overfull Stockholm commute from either Billund or Helsinki, which were a priority for the past three years.
The only light of day here in Denmark may not be longer than five minutes. The sun only shows itself provided that the ever-ruling clouds give way. Sometimes weeks pass without direct sunlight. And I am struggling to remember that the sun has never left us. It is shining just as brightly, if only we fly a few kilometers upward in search of it.
It was frosty in Stockholm this morning. Crunch-under-the-shoe and sneeze -kind of frosty.
This blue marble 