Human Nature

What a great night!  I went out to a local pub and met some of the best people!  The bartender was an older man who emigrated from what is now Montenegro in 1968.  He ``tried the Swedish women´´ and then brought one over from home.  Ha-ha!  A local Swede joined the conversation and did a lot of translating for me.  He was an IT guy who married a Finnish nurse and hopes to move to San Francisco as soon as his kids (now one and three) are old enough.  We talked about everything!  Music, sports, politics, economy . . . life!  Eventually, we pulled another Swede into the conversation and he was a graphic designer who loved Apple.  Hooray!  The conversation turned to the economy and it was cool to get a totally different perspective.  Europeans are so much better informed than Americans.  They are interested and know about everything on both sides of the Atlantic.  Before the night was through, he said I could stay at his second home in the Archipelago so that I could see another part of Sweden.  He also told me not to trust South American women because he had a bad experience with a Columbian.  It was just one of those good nights when you feel a little better about human nature!

Gamla Stan

Well, one way to make London seem like a bargain is to go to Stockholm.  It is very expensive and the cost of everyday goods and services is incredible.  Despite the $10 beers and $5 coffees I'm drinking, it's been really fun thus far.  I've been walking for miles and miles in every direction, but was able to take a water taxi back from my furthest point.  The nightlife doesn't even get started until after midnight, making me extremely exhausted.  On the bright side, it will be easier to fall asleep tonight, now that I have a few new roommates.  For lunch today, I ate the most delicious fish I've ever tasted.  Sej, which I is a type of cod fish, according to  the waitress.  The Spanish girls at the next table special-ordered the Swedish meatballs and graciously allowed me to try one.  Muy bien!

Approaching Gamla Stan by water taxi -- my hostel is on the far right

Arriving in Stockholm

This is where I'll be calling home this week.  The hostel is located in Gamla Stan, which kind of separates the north and south of Stockholm.  Apparently, I am gifted, because the great weather has followed me here.  As for now, I'm all checked in and heading out for a meal and a beverage.  Skoal!

So far, I still have the room to myself

I'm on the top floor

Along the Way

On our way to Snodland, my cousin and I stopped twice for points of interest.   There were no markers, like the signs for the World's Largest Ball of Twine scattered across Kansas, but both provided interesting photo opportunities and historical references.  First, we stopped in the village of Teston to see a 19th Century cricketball factory.  The second stop was at All Saints Church in Tudeley, where the famous artist Marc Chagall designed the 12 stained-glass windows.

I thought the Porsche was a nice touch

 

designed by Marc Chagall

The main window behind the altar

     

Snodland

Another record-breaking day in England!  Upper 80's and a perfect day for a drive into Snodland to visit my past.  This is the town where my father grew up and where we would stay each time we visited when I was young.  My grandmother would walk to the shops each morning to buy the food they we would eat that day.  My own adventures on this road included stops at the goldfish pond, my great uncle's sweet shop, my great aunt's house, and the grocery shop my grandfather owned when my dad was born.

Malling Road

206 Malling Road, my grandparents' house

           

My grandparents are buried at the church across the road from where they lived most of their lives.  "Safe home at last" is what my grandma would always say after a trip in the car and if you can read music, you know the significance of the notes.

World Cup Rugby

crouch . . . touch . . . pause . . . engage!   These are the words that begin each scrum at the Rugby World Championships underway in Auckland, New Zealand.  This morning, I arose early to watch the England vs. Scotland match.  Or should I say war.  It's been chippy from the start and despite outplaying the Three Lions, the Scots lead is only 9-3 at halftime.

England vs. Scotland matches are always entertaining