LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
PART TWO ~ NO ROOM AT THE INN
Author's note: This installment does not stand alone. Characters and storyline are developed in Part One.
I. NO ROOM AT THE INN
Riksgransen is a small town in northern-most Sweden, 130 miles above the Arctic Circle, and is a major ski area. In order to catch our 9:30 a.m. flight for the first leg of the trip, we had to check out by 7:30. As arranged, we met in the lobby at 7 a.m. It was obvious we were all exhausted. My darling wife broke the silence.
"Good morning. I guess we're not the only ones that didn't get much sleep. Did you guys go back to your room and have a long heart to heart...or did you fuck yourselves silly, like we did?" She finished with a big grin.
Greg looked down at Jessie, who shrugged and smiled. He looked at us, with his own grin, "Fucked ourselves silly."
I added, "Yeah, it was pretty busy in our room last, what with different people coming and going, going and coming..."
Lynn punched my arm.
Jessie tilted her head, feigning confusion, "I think the lock was broken on our door."
"Unwelcomed visitors?" I speculated.
"Oh no. They were welcome," she finished with a sly grin.
Lynn cracked up, then remarked, "Okay we have a plane to catch. Let's get this group of sex fiends headed that way."
From Stockholm, we flew to a small airport in Kiruna, Sweden. From there, we took the train to Riksgransen (buses also make the run, but I prefer the train). Altogether, the trip took about 7 and 1/2-hours. When we arrived at our lodge outside Riksgransen, it was after 5 p.m.
There are only two hotels in Riksgransen, one large hotel-style facility, and one small boutique hotel, the "Meteorologen Ski Lodge," which is the place to stay if you can get reservations. The lodge itself isn't that spectacular from the outside. It looks like a big two-story barn, including barn-red paint. Until recently, it was a meteorological research station, hence the name. It was repurposed and renovated after the researchers left. Inside, it is very inviting with a pleasant atmosphere. However, that is not the big draw -- that is the personal service and the fabulous in-lodge restaurant. It is not a large facility with only 14 rooms, all unique, based on the original structure's layout.
During ski season, the rooms are booked up, a year in advance. We made our reservations right after we got back from our biennial vacation in Fiji, two years ago. Now we were finally here -- well half of us. I thought of Sam and Charlotte and felt bad for them. The last time we called, Rick was doing well, all things considered.
As we entered the lodge, I returned to the here and now.
Though not overly fancy, the lodge is well-appointed, and at the moment, most importantly, warm (outside, with wind chill, it was around 5 degrees, Fahrenheit). As we approached the front desk, amazing aromas were coming from the kitchen, making my mouth water and my stomach grumble. But first things first -- check in, bag drag and freshen up.
The young woman at the front desk greeted us in slightly accented English, "Good afternoon. You have reservations, yes?"
Lynn answered, "Yes, and here are our passports." Then she explained about Greg and Jessie taking our in-laws' place.
The lady was nodding her head as Lynn spoke, but her expression seemed at odds with the affirmative motion of her head.
When Lynn finished, Birgitta, the desk clerk, said, "Yes, we have been expecting you. Um, just a moment. Patrick, the guests you were waiting for are here."
Patrick, who turned out to be the owner, and a great host, came over and greeted us, eyeing Greg and Jessie.
Birgitta quickly explained in Swedish about the change.
I didn't think you could be Samuel and Charlotte," he said brightly, "but we are so glad you could join us in their place."
I spoke up, "Is there a problem, we made these reservations almost two years ago."
"No, Sean, no problem with your reservations. But there is a problem with your rooms."
I now remembered speaking with Patrick several times. He not only arranged for our accommodations, but made other arrangements for the activities during our week-long stay, including custom ski rentals and a helicopter tour.
He continued, "Actually, with one room. Yesterday, one of the previous guests broke a water fixture. Making the long story short, as you say, it took a long time to learn of the problem and stop the water. So, the room was flooded, and water damage has rendered it unusable for several days. As soon as it is usable, we will immediately make it available. Until then, we were hoping you could share the remaining..."
I interrupted, "What about the other hotel, it's large, it must have something."
"No, we have already checked, there is nothing. We tried unsuccessfully to reach you in Stockholm..."
I interrupted again, "Are there no other options? We can't share..."
My wife gave my hand a discreet, hard squeeze. I got it. Don't be the asshole American tourist.
I started over, "I apologize, we're a little tired -- long day. I'm afraid we had a bit too much fun in Stockholm, last night.
Patrick smiled and gave a knowing nod. My wife discreetly rolled her eyes.
I asked, "Please, as you were saying?"
He continued, "As we thought it was going to be you and your in-laws, we were hoping you could share the remaining room. It is our largest and there are two very comfortable Haskens beds. Of course, now you have a different situation with your new travel companions."
Turning to me, Lynn offered, "Well, if there are two beds and it's a big room, don't you think we would could make do? We will be skiing and outdoors most of the time."
Jessie chimed in, "I think we can make it work."
"Yeah, sure, we should be able to," Greg added.
"Well," I smiled, "I guess we're all agreed. We'll make it work. We can still have a great time."
Patrick brightened and grasped my hand, "Yes, thank you, and of course, we will refund you for the other room, even if you are able to use it later. And all your meals are on us for your entire stay. Plus, complimentary cocktails if you drink..." he paused.
I gave a small smile, "We've been known to have one or two. The complimentary meals are not necessary, but greatly appreciated. We have heard nothing but praise for your chef and his kitchen."
He thanked me for the compliment and nodded to a young man, and between them, they gathered as many bags as they could and started for our room upstairs. We grabbed the remaining ones and followed. After opening the room, Patrick asserted if we needed anything, not to hesitate to call on him.
The room was not large by American standards, or upscale by any standard, but for a Scandinavian ski lodge, it was top shelf -- immaculately clean, no-nonsense amenities, a small but functional bathroom and the famously comfortable Haskens beds.
Yes, famously comfortable Haskens beds -- two of them...
Two 'twin-size' beds!
In much of Europe, it is typical to have the double twin set up. If a couple wants to sleep together, the beds are pushed together, if not, they're separated.
But now, there would be 'two' people in each twin bed. I'm a big guy. Lynn is tall, all arms and legs. Greg is good-sized, and Jessie...well there's the issue of all the extra room she needs for her breasts...
Of course, sleeping arrangements was just one of our problems. We'll get to the others.
The lodge's kitchen is famous for its authentic Swedish cuisine, prepared, whenever possible, with locally sourced goods, including from Norway (you could throw a rock and hit Sweden's westerly neighbor). And it's no stretch to call the offerings here, 'cuisine'. The chef and his staff provide a truly excellent dining experience. In fact, when the ski season is over, the lodge shuts down, but the dining facility remains open year-round.
Suffice it to say, we had a great meal. After one cocktail, we retired to our room. After some small talk, bathroom calls, and shedding clothes, we went to bed, and crashed. It was only 9 p.m. That night, nobody had a problem with the small beds, sharing the room, or sleeping soundly.
II. COMMODIUS ACCOMMODATION
The next morning, we awoke early. Greg and Jessie were still asleep, so we slipped out of bed, grabbed some fresh underclothes and hit the shower. The bathroom was small and not built for two; the shower is actually over the commode area and you pull the assembly and curtain around to bathe. We made do in the cramped quarters, put our underclothes on and snuck back to get dressed. We needn't have sneaked. Greg and Jessie were up and sitting in their pajamas, such as they were.
Greg was wearing his boxers and t-shirt from yesterday. Jessie, however, was wearing a powder blue, baby doll nightie she had slipped into after we fell asleep. It hid almost nothing. I noticed.