Back to Norway

In the morning, Todd and Kristy went for a run along the Barcelona beach before breakfast. The receptionist called a taxi for us and it was soon there with its female, blond haired driver. I think she should have been driving race cars, not taxi cabs! She talked the entire time, but not to us. She was either on her cell phone or the cab's two way radio. Her hands were going as she chatted constantly. She passed every vehicle that came in her way and we got to the airport in record time. My prayers had certainly been with her and we were thankful when that ride ended safely.

We checked our luggage and were free to browse. Wow! What a place! The floor was made of beautiful marble tiles, so shiny and clean that you could eat off them, as Howard would say. Our flight to Munich was smooth and went by quickly. We appreciated a coffee machine at the airport that made the coffee of your choice without charge! I had a latte and read one of the English newspapers also offered. Then it was off to Oslo. We were given ham or cheese sandwiches along with a choice of drinks and a little Easter bunny. Thanks for the nice touches, Luftansa!

It was still white with snow as we came in for our landing at Oslo airport at 5:15. We shopped a bit at the Duty Free shop, then Todd brought the car, loaded up the luggage and we were "on the road again" to Lillehammer. Traffic was quite heavy as we met skiiers returning home to Oslo. It was just dark as we drove into Lillehammer after our two hour drive from Gardemoen Airport. Todd drove to the church to find out the time for this evening's service - 11:30 pm Then we were off to the Clarion Hotel where we had stayed on our Norway visit in Dec. 2006. We just made it before the evening buffet was cleared away!

Our rooms were 202 and 204, each with twin beds, TV (with CNN) and the usual shower. (I do miss a bathtub!) We unpacked, changed and soon it was time to leave for service. We gathered in the entrance and were given candles, hymnbooks and an order of service. The pastor led the way to the altar with a large lit candle. We gathered around the altar as the service began. We lit our candles from each other's candles as the service continued. We couldn't follow this Norsk service very well but especially enjoyed the pipe organ and trumpeter on my mother's favorite Easter hymn," Påske Morgen" (Easter Morrow Stills our Sorrow") The church bells rang out at the end of the service at 12:45 am and we made our way back to the hotel. Should we go back for the 11 o'clock later this morning?