Dahlia reached home and started packing her stuff hastily. She had her documents in place but was unsure what she wanted to take along with her. Dahlia tried to take the best things with her while finding herself on a three-month voyage onto the European Waters. She called in her mother to help with her packing and made sure - that she did not leave any of the important stuff behind.
"Dahlia, take along with you some sandwiches that I have packed for you and don't forget to get your laptop bag," said Dahlia's mother - Cynthia called out. Dahlia replied, "Yes - mom! Thanks, I won't forget a thing - at least hoping so."
Cynthia dropped Dahlia at the Airport, and later the flight left. The next day the flight landed in Tromso and waited for the cab. The luggage was heavy enough, and she got inside the cab -once it arrived. The driver placed her bags on the back seat and drove her to the camping site. Dahlia did not want to live in fancy hotels. Dahlia preferred to live as it came by - so that she could immerse herself into the culture of Norwegians easily. The cab driver took off her luggage, while Dahlia asked, "how much do I pay?" The driver replied, "250 Krone!" Dahlia paid the taxi driver and stood for a while to breathe the beauty she saw around. The terrain with a blanket of snow all around. The fresh air rushed into her heart - making it bounce back and forth. The cottages were small and cosy - making it a perfect winter escape in Norway. The receptionist asked, "How may I help you, Mam?"
Dahlia said, "You must have a booking in the name of Chiffon Cookies Pvt. Ltd. - a room for one, Please." The Lady smiled and said, " Yes, we do, have - here are the keys to cottage 405. Nicolas will help you get there. He is waiting for you outside." Dahlia exclaimed, "Thank you for your support - I can't wait to see what view it will hold...yay!! The receptionist replied to Dahlia, "The pleasure is all mine, and I hope you enjoy your stay here. Dahlia stepped out of the cabin and found Nicolas waiting for her. He asked, " You must be Dahlia?" She said, "That I am!"
"Right - This way, please. You don't seem to be around from here. Let me guess - you're having a break in Norway for a while? Or better to say vacationing?" Nicolas asked. Dahlia replied, " Yes and a No!"
Nicolas said, "What does that mean? Yes and a No at the same time?" Dahlia replied, "haha! I know what you mean, but you can say that Yes, I am on a sort of vacation - but not exactly. It is a kind of assignment that my firm has given to the potential partners to have a one-of-a-kind - Passion Test!
Nicolas seems to be enchanted by the idea of the Passion Test. He asked, "So, I am supposing that travel is your gig, and the company is paying you to understand how passionately you do it? Wow! Sounds great!"
"But there's a catch!" Dahlia replied and asked further to Nicolas, "by the way, how far is my cottage - it has been a while, and we have been walking so much." Dahlia was gasping for air as she seemed tired from walking in the snow for a long time. Nicolas saw Dahlia shivering due to the cold, and he offered his jacket to Dahlia and said, "Here. It will keep you warm. Your cottage is not far from here. Another half a mile, and we will reach your cottage!" Dahlia was flabbergasted, "What another half a mile? I think we can take a break." Nicolas laughed at Dahlia and said, "Don't worry! Hahaha - I am just messin' around."
"Hey! You better watch out; for who you are messing with!!" Dahlia commented.
Nicolas asked her, "So tell me, what's the catch to this Passion test of yours?"
Dahlia responded, "Yes, coming back to that Passion Test. The firm has set some crazy targets that one has to achieve - If you don't, then you are out of the partnership game!"
Nicolas said, "How hard can it be to travel to some countries." Dahlia exclaimed, "travelling 20 countries in 3 months - all while getting the maximum return on their investment through your passionate business plan - Anyways, I better get going - I need to cover more than required in this squeezed time frame."
Nicolas dropped her bags inside the cottage and told her, "We'll talk about this later, but get freshened up and reach by 8 PM for the Winter fest - country karaoke, delicious food and life-sweetening company. Nothing more you could ask for." He smiled at Dahlia and left for his other chores.
Dahlia went inside her cabinet and made herself at home - yet she seemed to be taken away by the captivating beauty of Norwegian Mountainous terrain. Dahlia thought to rest for a while after getting jet-lagged from a 12-hour long flight and more than a mile walk in the snow. Dahlia had a hot shower and fell asleep - only to wake up in the morning.
Dahlia heard the horse neighing when she woke up. She stepped outside her cottage in the early morning and found Nicolas feeding the horses and taking them on rides. Dahlia was happy to see horses running on the nearby ranch. It was well-maintained by the campsite team. Dahlia got ready and saw herself before the receptionist lady, Clara - to see where she could purchase winter clothes. Clara directed her to the store downtown. It was situated far from the campsite, and for this - Nicolas would be driving her to the store.
Dahlia greeted, "Hi Nicolas, I suppose you already know - that I need to go downtown to purchase some warm clothes, and you are driving me there."
Nicolas welcomed her and said, "Am I? Clara hasn't informed me yet. Anyways - let's get going. So, what happened - you did not show up last night for the Winter fest?"
Dahlia blushed as her cheeks turned red due to the cold weather and said, "Guess I couldn't keep track of time, and I fell asleep - probably the long flight. But now, you see - I feel energetic and ready to get sunk in the Norwegian air!!"
Nicolas said, " Oh! That is wonderful. So How long are you here in Norway, and which cities you - would like to travel to?"
Dahlia replied, " Just Tromso and Oslo for 3-4 days, and then I will be off to Sweden! Where are you from - Tromso only?!"
They reached the store downtown, and Dahlia started looking for the perfect winter clothes while the conversation continued. Nicolas said, "No, I am not from around here. I am from Las Vegas, US, and travelling is my passion, experiencing every country's culture and being a part of it. Listen, I would love to help with your passion test and to get the return on your investment - So much did the company pay you?"
Dahlia was surprised, yet she hesitated and said, "Thank you, Nicolas, that is very sweet of you, but it has not even been a while that we've known each other, so I don't think it is a good idea - but I'll keep a note of that."