Persistence

"Continuing steadily despite problems or obstacles" is the dictionary's definition for "persistence."

As I've searched for ways to book the sailing part of our journey on the Hurtigruten, I've encountered obstacles. Dan helped me find a company online that listed voyage packages worldwide including this one along the Norwegian coast.

For most people, calling a phone number would be easy. I hesitated knowing our needs would have to be tailored for a port-to-port trip rather than the more-common, full-coastline trip. Last week I found an extraordinary package deal at the company's online site. The "sale" spurred me to dial the number.

The first representative had no clue to which I "deal" I was referring. He passed me off to an international representative who understood the advertisement, listened to my needs and promptly told me, this "sale" would not apply for us. He also informed me even a short cruise on this ship would be expensive. I asked whether he knew of an American booking agent who could help us book port-to-port. When he said: I don't think that's possible."

I explained, "I KNOW it's possible because my host parents have all ridden the Hurtigruten and told me local people get on in one city and off in another regularly."

"Well, we are a booking agent for Hurtigruten," he said. "I can call ask."

"Thank you!" I sighed. At last I'd found someone with the resources to help.

Later in the day, he called back with the desired information. He verified information from the sailing charts I'd pulled up months earlier. We would board 8 PM Thursday in Bergen and arrive 8 AM Saturday in Trondheim. He quoted the cost and added, "Because you're not traveling the full distance, meals are not included. The Hurtigruten people said to plan about $100 per day for food on the ship: $20 for breakfast, $20-30 for lunch and $50 for dinner."

"Since we sail Saturday night and arrive early Saturday, I said, "We can figure just one day of meals and catch the dinner on Thursday night and breakfast on Saturday morning on shore. Right?"

"You could," he said beginning to understand my genuine enthusiasm. He told me because our trip was so short, we wouldn't be assigned cabins until we boarded. Priority goes to those going the full distance.

"Fine with me," I said. "I'll check with the ladies and get back to you." In order to send me more information, he took my email address. He recognized the MN city in the address and confessed Minnesota as his home state. Now we had a "Minnesota Nice" connection.

And – yes – Persistence.