Day 1 - Chicago to Bergen, Norway

I've gotten to the end of one of those days that never seems to end.
I'll try to finish this post but may fall asleep mid sentence.

We left Chicago last night at about 10 Chicago time. Actually we left
quite a bit later than 10 but it was scheduled for 10. As I wrote
before the flight was uneventful. We did arrive late into Copenhagen.
In Copenhagen we had to clear security again but they don't make you
take off your shoes. No water allowed through though. One of our
members chose to chug her water rather than surrender her bottle.
You'll have to guess her identity.

Then, we cleared immigration into the EU. No problems there.

Once on the plane we could see them loading our suitcases. Notice I
said suitcases. When we arrived in Bergen, Norway (no immigration even
though we're not in the EU) all but six of our suitcases were there
but almost none of our instruments made it. Our Travel Coordinator was
able to determine that the missing should arrive on a flight at 5:38
PM. We had a 7:30 concert.

The band went on to the corps for a really delicious meal and those
who had bags changed into uniform for the night. Major Doliber and
Major Hagen (from Norway) waited at the airport for the missing items.

They finally arrived at the corps around 6:45. Everyone quickly
changed while the Bandmaster and percussionists went on ahead to set
up. Once there they discovered no arrangements had been made here for
music stands. But, our Norwegian hosts went to work and found some
from somewhere. By 7:55 we were playing... only 25 minutes late.

Under the circumstances I think the band played pretty well. The
lighting at the church made seeing the music a little difficult. But,
there were several hundred present to hear the concert and I think
they were satisfied. I think after a good sleep, showers and less
stress from the schedule we'll do better than we did tonight.

At the conclusion of the night Bergen Salvation Army presented us with
a plate for the band room wall.

About a third of the band are in private homes tonight. The rest are
at two different hostels - one Army owned, one not.

I have to leave at 6:30 am to get to our 7:30 am departure for our
drive across Norway. So, I think I'll sign off for now. Band geeks
will have to wait for me to post our repertoire another day.