The Norwegian Breakfast

It had been far too long since we have been in a Scandanavian country--so long that I had forgotten how much I loved the breakfasts. I booked rooms with breakfast included because I did remember just how expensive food is, especially food that people prepare for you. I am not exactly sure why that would be, but my hypothesis is that they pay people living wages and that translates into higher prices in restaurants. In any case, while I am not usually a big fan of breakfast, I chose that option because the hotels that included it were not more expensive than those that do not, so maximizing our value without a clear diminusion in sleeping arrangements. I am not one to overpay on hotel--even if we spend time in the room when we are awake, we pack lightly and can always make due. Well, our very first morning (at a Thon hotel, which is a chain in Norway, and it was a spectacular introduction. There was lots of everything--cheese and charcuterie, breads and pastries, fruit and yogurt and nuts, a large hot food buffet, and coffee and juice. We only had one morning on our trip where we needed to get up and go, so each morning other than that one we had a leisurely and gradual start to the day that held us until an early dinner.