First Days in Sweden

After sleeping off the jet lag from flying from the east coast, we set off for our first full days in Stockholm. We started with a stroll around the city and went to the Vasa Museum, which told the history of the failed Swedish ship from the early 1600's that took two and a half years to build but only twenty minutes to sink on its maiden voyage. The boat was rescued from Stockholm Harbor in the 1970's and after nearly twenty years of arduous restoration was ready to be displayed to the public. 

Today we met with an old high school friend of Emelie's for coffee then set off to meet Mormor and Gunilla to celebrate Mormor's 79th birthday. Two days before we had decided to go to Skansen, a historic park that highlighted early life in Sweden, much akin to colonial Williamsburg or Sturbridge Village. Coincidentally, it was not only Mormor Ingrid's birthday, but also the anniversary of the opening of the park. Thus, instead of the usual entry fee, they knocked the entry fee down to one kronar (approx. 14 cents), the same price as when the park opened back in 1901. 

We saw old homes torn down from all over the country then rebuilt on site to show what life was like in different parts of Sweden from throughout the century. They also exhibited wildlife native to Sweden, showing live moose, bison, bears, seals and other wildlife within the park. Dinner followed with a lovely Italian meal at a restaurant to end Ingrid's birthday. We then went to the pub to watch Sweden (shockingly) beat the Netherlands in a soccer match they had no chance at winning. The streets were flooded after with happy Swedes following their win. We returned to our apartment for the week tired but content from a nice day under sunny but cold skies. More to come, and a busy week ahead in Stockholm with more people to see and dinner parties to attend.