Stockholm - April 8-9, 2017

We had time to take one last outing before leaving Helsinki yesterday because our flight to Stockholm was not until 2:15 pm. Instead, we packed, tidied-up the cute tiny house and simply took it easy. My cold has reached the raging stage. I truly have the suds. Hopefully yesterday's rest will help me kick this thing soon, and I pray Stan does not get it.

Arlanda Airport is located far outside Stockholm. There are two ways to reach the city, train or bus. We were surprised to find that the train cost twice as much as the bus and the travel duration was the same. European buses we have used have been very nice. Most are like riding in a plane. We took the bus to City Central where we then found the correct metro to take us to our apartment. Easy-peasy! I often wonder what European travelers might think when they arrive in Atlanta and ask for City Center. How do they get around??? Taxi?? Here City Center is usually a magnificent train station built a hundred years ago, expanded and modernized with shops and restaurants. It is the hub of all transportation whether long distance or regional trains, metros and buses. Maps, signs and Information Centers quickly point out best travel options. Tickets are sold in electronic machines - that is unless you are from America and use a credit card that requires signature for international purchases. In that case, tickets must be purchased from a ticket office. Still, it's a fairly easy process. And speaking of easy processes, as in USA airports, boarding passes are printed via the electronic machines. Luggage tags are printed at the machines too. However, travelers here process their own luggage. You put your luggage on the belt and shoot the luggage tag with the scanner. The bag is weighed and if within the allowable weights, the bag is carried off on the belt to the plane. If it's too heavy, you must take something out. All this is done self-service - no airline employees required.

As we zoomed down the modern multi-lane highway from the airport toward Stockholm we were reminded of the New Jersey Turnpike. There were special pull-offs here and there for gas stations and fast food. Like most of the Scandinavian countryside we have seen so far, this part of Sweden appears to sit on solid granite. There are tall bare birch trees and nice evergreens off to the side. The ground looks damp and dark as if it just went through a snow-melt. We rode past farm lands and suburbs noting that most of the older homes feature the barn-like styling.

We found a cute restaurant near our apartment. It seemed to have a varied menu but it was in Swedish. We could figure out things like pasta and salad which suited our tastes just fine. There was a table of 3 couples just across from us who were enjoying their wine and beer. Since neither of us could remember at the moment if Spaghetti Carbonara involved red or white sauce, Stan leaned over and in his magical way of engaging people and breaking down all barriers, said, "Who here speaks English?" Well, that started it. We had so much fun with these folks! We made a date to meet back together at the restaurant on Monday night. We can tell already that we are really going to like the Swedes. In addition, we also met a gentleman who was dining alone. I interrupted him and asked what he was having for dinner - his dish looked wonderful. His face lighted up and we introduced each other and proceeded to have a good chat. We and Erik talked about travel, what we hope to do in Stockholm, and we talked about the horrific terrorist attack that took place here this week. We agreed that if we allow terrorist threats to make us live in fear and therefore make us avoid doing things we love, they win. We agreed too that in spite of that attitude we owe it to ourselves to be alert, aware and vigilant. Erik is a retired university music professor. Here, everyone retires at age 65. Although we got the impression he'd prefer to be teaching still, he now is a professional musician playing piano, oboe, and accordion. He was having souvlaki.

We signed up for the double-decker, Hop On- Hop Off Sightseeing Red Bus and took a one and one-half hour drive around the city. One really cannot say they've seen a city after one of these expeditions but we find that this kind of exposure gives us a quick glance of the city and points in right direction for returning to what we find most interesting. As we walked to the Red Bus stop, we got a ground level look cute shops and restaurants and at the beautiful Lake Malaren which flows directly to the Baltic Sea. The lake is the third largest in Sweden and serves as the water supply for Stockholm's wonderful, fresh-tasting tap water. We took many photos of landmarks, parks, statues, people, store windows, museums, the Concert Hall, the Opera House, department stores and more. We past a huge flea market filled with vendors selling antiques, glassware, china, silver, bric-a-brac and fruit and vegetables. I could not resist buying some fresh asparagus, both green and white varieties as thick around as my thumb. Still not accustomed to quickly converting Swedish Kronor into US dollars, I was shocked when I learned I had paid about $8 for about 8 stalks of the stuff. At one point on our tour, we noticed throngs of people heading in one direction. Finally we learned that we had come upon the vigil that was held today in honor of the four people who lost their lives in Friday's terrorist attack. It was reported that twenty thousand people came to the plaza near the shopping area where the incident took place. We saw the mounds of flowers they brought. The message of the vigil was, "We stand together united in love and peace. We are not afraid." I would have like to have participated.

We had a late lunch on a square at the very popular Vaus de Villle restaurant. Popular you ask? Apparently! The restaurant was bustling but it took a good hour and a half to order and eat. No worries, though; the day was sunny, a bit brisk but as pleasant as can be—plus I was with great company. We sat outside in the sun but were blocked from the wind by a glass panels. We ordered Swedish meatballs! The Swedes do, in fact, love their Swedish meatballs. Ours were delicious served with mashed potatoes, marinated cucumber, and ligon berry sauce. Over our meal, we reviewed our day and decided in that the few days our top priorities are to return to the Royal Palace—many of its rooms are open to the public, and we want to visit the ABBA Museum and the Botanical Garden.

I love to see people out and about, enjoying life. I find it very encouraging and uplifting. Everywhere we looked, there were families, groups of young people, and couples out of their homes, many bringing their dogs, mixing and mingling and enjoying the beautiful spring day. That's hard to beat.