Train to Oslo

The train from Stockholm to Oslo is quite long. The train departed the station at 8:29 AM, and it is scheduled to arrive in Oslo at 2.54 PM. I had reserved a seat thinking that doing so would ensure that I had a comfortable seat for the duration of the trip. I was seated next to the window in front of a table. There was a seat next to me and two seats facing me on the other side of the table.

Although not the train I rode on, the table and seats
configuration on the train I rode looked very much like this.

Unfortunately, I wasn't expecting an Eastern European family to join me. The family consisted of a teenage daughter, a plump husband, and a very plump wife. This woman had curly dyed-blond hair with dark roots, dark eyebrows, even darker eyeliner, and bright lipstick. I didn't understand anything this family spoke about, but the family dynamics were interesting. The mother seemed... whiny. Once, she infantilized herself, putting her head on her daughter's shoulder pleadingly. The daughter left and returned with a snack for the two of them. Seriously. The father was just as enabling. Later, the mom pouted and the dad went to the restaurant car and brought bad a bottle of juice for her! And as short and roly poly this woman was, she still managed to take up 3/4 of the precious leg space. Uggh.

If I had not reserved a seat, I would have risked being kicked out of my chosen non-reserved seat by someone with a reservation. G and I actually had that experience on a long-distance train we took earlier in our trip. A woman had a reservation for the seat I was sitting in, so I had to move. G and I sat separately until later when the woman I was sitting next to got off the train.

The train will soon arrive at Oslo Central station. My legs are cramped, but at least I only have to deal with these people a few more minutes.