Flesland on Instagram: Photo of Comfort Zone taken by passenger waiting overnight.
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Current Plan (read why in previous post) is T drives me to airport Sunday night before the kids bedtime, to the airport. Since it´s a bit late and a bit of a hassle to deal with parking and getting the kids (2,5,6) out to actually go into the airport to see me off and visit the airport to see the planes....I´m secretly bringing the noisy pretty and fun metal model airplanes they got in Flesland gratis when we went to get their older sis another time. The planes are colorful, metal, painted like real planes, with wheels that move, and loud take-off noises when it "flies". That should a good distraction, to compensate for not getting to come inside (they like going out on the roof like area to see the planes, eat upstairs in the kids area sized tables which are cushy and colorful and too small for adults; and generally as they like to travel and have done since a few months old, they always like airports! The huge kids sized airplane jungle gym thing in another airport is one of their fave areas to visit if we go thru there.
T might confiscate the planes til he gets home of course,). Driving home in traffic, across a high bridge over ice cold fjord, listening to loud take-off squeelzzzzzz from 3 noisy airplanes probably not how he wants his return drive,) Though, atleast the planes will distract them from my leaving for 2 weeks, so he can try to avoid their protests-- the youngest 2 crying etc, the 6 year old speaking for them they want to go INTO the airport, and all 3 upset they aren´t going with mommy to see family there! (Yes, they know where Italy is. They´re very good in geography, and even know where Egypt is, and that it is in Africa --a continent not a country--cuz Schnappi Das Kleine Krokodil lives there! Youtube is a fantastic way to teach kids geography, when you´re not traveling actually with them!)
But I digress. Figments do that,)
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What to have for FLESLAND overnighting.
MISC:
The airport has their Komfort Zone upstairs. I´ve read online now they have some actual beds with comfy mattresses, blankets, pillows. Lounging Lazy-boy type chairs, though more like in photo above, not the huge thick bulky old-fashioned kind. Window views of planes taking off and landing. All Komfort loungers have their own electric outlets. Free wifi thru out airport, you can pick from several providers, just get a card on the way in by the sign, which gives you a SMS code to your phone. I may not bring my phone, so will ask for a code. Wifi is free for stay, it doesn´t seem to be free for just a half hour or an hour.
Bathrooms are large with good lighting, hot and cold water, individual enclosed cubicles, mirrors. Water is potable, so fine to brush teeth with or, as I will also do, bring a clean bottle or cup to get water for drinking.
For those with family: the bathrooms areas have just men, just women, unisex areas, baby changing facilities which include a private sitting area with microwave, and dimmer (low lighting). It´s been a while since I used these, so maybe it´s changed, but they also used to have gratis, complimentary nappies/diapers of various sizes, and wipies at the changing area in case you ran out. There was also a washing up area, with both soap and foamy disinfectant for hands.
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FOOD:
Whilst there are 24 hour limited choice for food, it´s expensive to very expensive. T reminded me to bring food, which I´ll probably forget, so we´ll end up stopping off at the local Sunday shop bodega to get a few things for me on the way over!
So far I´ve baked a banana bread, and cut up some fresh raw fruits and veggies. I´ll make sandwiches with ham, cheese, sliced bread. Maybe get a few chocolates, or chocolate bars, snacky type foods such as those cheesey doodles we had the other night. Afterall, I will be in the airport for quite a while! From about 12 hours!
DRINK:
Clean empty cup or bottle to get water at the taps, as water in the bathrooms is potable (safe for drinking). Kiosk shops will also have drinks, but very expensive. Probably get some hot gløgg or hot cocoa depending on what they have. I´ve gotten a bit of T´s cold, so have been a bit tired, cold the last few days.
WARM:
In addition to hot drinks like coffee, I´ll probably bring something to help keep warm, in case the heating is not warm enough. I get cold easily, and don´t want to spend 12 hours shivering annoyedly all night!
Though what yet to be decided-
Many sites suggest bringing a blanket, sleeping bag, pillows! That´s a hellofalota stuff to carry and pack uppack, taking up my space in a small carry-on and small checked luggage, so I think no. I´m pretty sure my airport will have blankets, and won´t be so full they will be out. But for other airports, who allow it, could be a good idea.
Wool socks, with some indoor slippers, which are usual here, so I won´t get odd looks walking round in indoor slipper type shoes. I have numerous, but the ones I will bring are squishable flat, are made from soft leather with the inside lined with a furry soft warm material. The bottoms are non-slip. Warm and comfy, big enough to wear with a pair of thick wool socks.
READ/ENTERTAINMENT/TO DO:
1) Get Cash. Flesland has cash machines. I´m waiting til my airport overnight to do some of my check list, of getting cash in Euros. As soon as I arrive in Florence, I will need cash for the bus, and will need to pay for the balance of my room in cash upon arrival. The cash machines at airport will not cost me any more than if I had done this at my own bank. So, this was another thing lucky, saving me time, not costing me more money. The exchange rate is pretty good at airport, and actually many banks will not exchange money in actual cash (and have signs on their doors saying so). Exchanging cash at airport here atleast is more convenient, and better in many ways. Might not be so in other places, of course.
2) Watch the airplanes come and go
3) Bring a book to read
4)Some sites suggest bring a DVD to watch. But I don´t have headphones so it would be too noisy, and if I´m gonna be sitting there watching my computer, I´d rather watch Youtube or surf looking up things about Florence!
I don´t get bored easily, am actually looking forward to a bit of quiet time (even if not so quiet) to relax in the Komfort Zone by myself (you know what I mean). Even if I get bored, it is nothing compared to the alternative of paying for an expensive hotel room for a few hours (even the cheap ones are expensive), rushing round with luggages to even an additional place now (hotel, etc), getting checked in and out at odd hours which are not easily done at places which have limited hours even during the week let alone on a Sunday; and getting and paying for an expensive taxi ride so early in the morning 3-4 am. Even if I brought nothing extra, I´m so glad I can stay in the airport overnight! Twice! It really is wonderful to not have to worry about the hotel, bridge, taxi, money for the unexpected this early in my not-having-even-flown-out yet trip! I expect to have unexpected things occur, and to have unexpected costs, already once I get there.
5) Vlog, blog,)
FRESHENING UP:
Again, as the water in bathrooms is drinkable, I will wash my face, brush my teeth in the morning. I´m bringing a washcloth, facewash, etc with me. And whatever else minor routine to do to not feel too gross in the morning,)
I am not sure if they have showers at this airport, but I´m not sure I want to take a shower at an airport unless it is direly needed. If I took a shower, then that means more time getting ready, such as having to dry my hair, bring a hairdryer etc.
SLEEP:
Chairs look about as comfy as a bed, so I think I hope I will be able to. Probably better, as if I´d stayed home, I know I´d still be up packing til the last minute. This way I´m at the airport. No rush for taxi or driving at 3-4 am, last minute packing, or fumbling in the darkness outside, or whatever else. I´m at the airport. All I have to do is relax, enjoy myself, wake up in enough time to wash face, have some breakfast and coffee, check in, get to my flight.
Will post photos and update to how it goes. It sounds a bit too easy,)
