Whilst on the Arlanda site I came across “Rest and Fly” which is a low cost alternative to the Radisson or Hotel Blu – all hotels that you can walk to within the airport. Rest & Fly is a hotel that offers small rooms with no unnecessary frills which can be rented in hourly blocks or for an overnight stay if you choose.

I came across the “Rest and Fly” sign and hobbled over to it. I am getting really beat by this time and all I want to do is lay down on a bed in the dark. I book a room for four and one half hours for less than thirty bucks and the entrance is about thirty feet from security and the airline gate entrance. It’s awesome.

I get my room card key and proceed down a quiet hallway of doors with funky light sconces marking the way.

The hallway is darker than this photo shows.

I enter the room and it’s perfect! There is just space for the bed, a few cabinets, funky shelving and coat hooks.

all I need...

I lock the door, get undressed and slide into the bed. I set my cell phone alarm – alarm clocks are available for a small fee – and turn off the light. Unfortunately, I mostly stared at the darkness as I fretted about my upcoming gigs and such, but I finally fell asleep for about two hours.

My alarm rang and I thought I was gonna jump outta my skin!
Where am I? What time is it?

I then got up and out.

I head toward airport security. I didn’t have to remove my shoes but I did set off the alarm as I was too tired to remove my watch and chunky jewelry. The broad who frisked me was a lot more thorough than I have ever experienced… I mean this bitch was seriously patting me down!

I finally get to the gate for my departure to Riga. I have been traveling for twenty two hours now with about two hours sleep and I am beat. Finally, I am near the end of my journey to Riga.

Next up: Arriving in Riga & meeting my host and the band…