My People

July 3, 2012

Almost ready to lie down and it will be wonderful to stretch out in a nice bed here in Stockholm. There was no a/c in Oslo and since we were right across the street from a pub, keeping a window open was ill-advised. The beds typically have a bottom sheet and a cozy down comforter on top so we have sometimes been too hot. Not a good look in the morning when my hair is standing on end.

It was so warm and sunny when we arrived in Sweden, near 80 degrees but now you can walk along with a light jacket or long sleeves in the 9:30 P.M. twilight. Less sun here than in Oslo when it finally got dark around 11:30 P.M. Land of the Midnight Sun, yes?

The train ride from Oslo was about 6 hours but I thought the seats quite comfortable and the woods, farms, lakes and rivers we rode by were spectacular. I didn't want to get too engrossed in my iPad or Sudoku so I listened to a Mozart symphony on my iPod and that was perfect for viewing between my other pursuits. I couldn't quite bear to fall asleep either even though I was up very early this morning. Paid for it tonight in the lecture with a lot of head bobbing and blinks that lasted too long for polite listening. Sigh.

We went for a couple of walks after we got settled in this afternoon and took photos and went shopping.

Saw these gorgeous peonies outside a wonderful old Catholic church which I loved so much in the yards in Minneapolis. Here is a photo of them plus the street very close to our hotel.

 

 

Tomorrow we start our formal tour of the city. Oh and the dinner tonight was so good. I think the food here will be excellent. I had pickled herring although I don't think it was as good as what my Swedish grandma would make on Christmas Eve. More skorper, too, this one a little sweeter and with cardamom. I think my sisters will remember from our childhood. This whole adventure has been so much about my childhood memories and thinking about my parents and grandparents. They must be here with me enjoying the trip.

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