The last day of my Swedish expedition, Fjällräven Classic Sweden, began relentlessly early. Waking up at 03:30 is truly a treat, but I was incredibly afraid of oversleeping. Therefore, I set two alarms with exceptionally annoying sounds. Thanks to this, I jumped out of bed on the first try, and turned off the second alarm immediately. I quickly packed my electronics, did my morning hygiene, got dressed, and was ready to hit the road.
Morning Transfer to the Airport
Before 4 AM, I had successfully checked out of the hotel. I ventured out into the night streets, which suddenly looked completely different than during the day. A sense of calm prevailed, although I passed small pockets of partying youth along the way. In less than 14 minutes, I was at the bus stop, waiting for the ride to the airport. At 6:08 AM, I was at the airport and had completed all my check-in procedures. I successfully handed over my luggage and passed through security. Now, all that’s left is to have breakfast and wait for 7:20 AM, when my flight to Prague departs. Again, I realize how fascinating it is that airports truly never sleep. There are always so many people, staff, and planes moving around.
A Surprise Onboard and Arrival in Prague
I will incredibly miss the North. Originally, I thought Portugal would remain my clear favorite, but Sweden, with the little I saw and experienced, has completely won me over. As I entered the plane, my boarding pass suddenly lit up red, and I wondered what was happening. Instead of seat 11A, I was given 8C. Since no one explained anything, I curiously went to my new seat. I ended up realizing I had significantly upgraded. I had much more space around me, a bit like economy plus, and I was sitting alone in the row. We took off in the rain, so Sweden was bidding me farewell in its own way. At 09:12 AM, we landed in Prague. The weather in the Czech Republic offered a completely different face than Sweden. I was greeted by a cloudy sky, warmth, but also a crazy stuffiness. I quickly disembarked, collected my checked luggage, and gradually found the trolleybus and metro. Before I knew it, I was home.
The Whirlwind of Responsibilities and the Return to Reality
I immediately started unpacking and gradually put everything that could be washed into the machine. A quick shower followed, and then the essential trip to the store for something to eat. Throughout the day, I ran perhaps five loads of laundry, aired things out, cleaned my gear, and tried to get as much done as possible. I was completely exhausted from all the experiences, the sudden change in weather, and the early wake-up. Tomorrow, I have a 05:00 AM alarm and a return to my regular work routine. Fortunately, it will only be for a week, and then I’ll be off on another adventure! How do you manage your returns from the wilderness back to the hustle and bustle of city life? After returning from a trek, do you also feel the need to immediately wash and tidy everything, or do you prefer to treat yourself to some rest? Write your experiences in the comments!
Day’s Summary
- Highlight of the Day: The unexpected airplane seat upgrade and extra personal space
- Weather: Departure in rain (Sweden), arrival in a cloudy, warm, and incredibly stuffy Prague
