What an incredible day in Stockholm, Sweden!! There are truly no words to describe the feeling of achieving something. The feeling that you are capable of doing it! It’s even more satisfying when you do it on your own. Most of you probably know what I am talking about. If only I knew a film director, I would ask him to make a movie about today featuring me, but the story goes like that: A few days ago I have seen an announcement that an IL76 is set to land at Stockholm Arlanda. Then I realized it is impossible for me to catch it because of the schedule- the initial ETA was around 12-12:30, so I gave up. I cannot teleport myself so I was thinking that this time I’m gonna miss it. So, at around 12:20 I was in the tunnelbana (the subway) going into the city center to take some videos with my phone. I somehow checked flightradar24 and saw that the airplane hadn’t even departed from Leipzig (and I thought it had already landed in ARN). Well, in no time, I was already off at T-Centralen, going down the escalator to catch my return subway to go home and take my backpack with the camera. At the moment of writing this, I have been using the subway system for more than a month and I was pretty familiar with the stops, but for some weird reasons, at the moment when I had 3 more stops to get home, I was already leaning to the doors, impatiently waiting for them to open. As they opened, I started running like Usain Bolt. Usually, it would take around 10-12 minutes from the subway to my house. Did that in 5 minutes. I managed to get into the house, took the backpack and I was off to a bus station- since I had to take a commuter rail to Märsta (a suburb of Metropolitan Stockholm). In less than 10 minutes I am already at the Ulriksdal station, waiting for the commuter rail (J) to Märsta. I am looking at the board- the next comes in 8 minutes. Desperately, I am starting writing in Facebook groups- asking for advice- and more important if someone would be able to pick me up. I message 3 fellow local spotters, two of them answered me they’re not gonna be at the airport today. It feels like the roof falls in. But I was on a mission. I knew it was meant to happen! So I continue. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers in my ears, I immediately start to be more confident.

In order to get to the spotting location for RWY26 arrivals, you have to take a bus from Märsta to Halmsjön (Bus 579), and then walk for around 25 minutes. I was already looking at alternatives- like taking an Uber. Then, being cheap, I was like-no! I’m not doing it! I somehow get off at Märsta and I’m running to the buses terminal. Looking on my phone, it appears that bus 579 is delayed- for about 4 minutes. Might not seem like a lot but again, I was running out of time! As the bus pulls to the curb, I let all the people board and I am the last one to board. I am asking the driver, gesturing like a maniac that I need to get to Halmsjön (which is the last station) as soon as possible. I’m begging him to keep his foot on the gas pedal and drive as fast as he can. He is not very friendly. I wouldn’t let him finish his sentence, but it’s already the third time he’s telling me I have to take a seat in order for him to start driving. I was angry. Annoyed. Irritated. I wanted to do it as they do it in the movies- they kick the bus driver and someone takes the wheel- and of course pedal to the floor! Since it’s real-life- this doesn’t work. It’s important to mention that in Sweden, the bus driver only stops at the station if people request that in the bus by pressing the stop button- or if the driver sees someone in the station with the intention of getting in, otherwise they just keep going. We pass a stop, nobody is requesting to get off- nobody is in the station- so the bus continues to go. However, at the next bus stop, I see someone dressed very elegantly. It only took me around 2 seconds to realize that we are losing time right now! The bus driver has finished his shift and he’s swapping places with the other driver that was at that stop. I thought someone was laughing at me. Someone really does not want me to catch that IL76. I was like, that’s it. I cannot do anything right now. It’s just my faith. But that was the key- I was faithful- I still had hope in me. I was still focusing. I realized how that swap of drivers- was actually a great thing- a thing that would be to my advantage. I immediately start talking to the new driver- explaining him what was going on. He starts smiling. Wow. What a great moment! He continues: “I have a schedule- I have to follow it”. Disappointment kicks in. But he goes again- “Since I have done this route many times, there are literally no people waiting for this bus- everyone gets off at the airport (referring to the SkyCity/ Arlanda Term.2-3). At the moment, I didn’t know what he was talking about. He starts driving. I immediately see him as Lewis Hamilton. After it was only him and I on the bus I start telling him- faster! Faster! Go-go-go!! NOW!! There’s this sharp left turn, we are literally flying with like 75-80 km/h…but we are in a Volvo… therefore, not even close to being scared. He asks where exactly to stop for me… Before getting off the bus I ask his name (which I forgot), but I do know for sure he’s from the Gambia. What an awesome guy! But now, I start running through a thick layer of snow, there are some hills to climb, the whole experience you would wish for…. I stop from time to time to catch my breath. I was running against the wind, and it was extremely cold. Somehow, I’m alongside Runway 26, 5 minutes prior to the arrival of the IL76… the rest…you can clearly see it in the picture.

It was more than a race against time!

Confidence, perseverance, and dedication. These are the words that describe the 23rd of February, 2022. And Usain Bolt- since they could have easily chosen me to take part in the Olympics with the performance I did today. What else can I say- it’s aviation, so enjoy it!!