Short day

We interupt this Sweden trip to show a hat in honor of Kentucky Derby Day. Not your typical Kentucky Derby Hat, but it is a hat. It works.... Now back to the Sweden Post......

The sun was out, and so were the Swedes. Everywhere!!! There was an energy in the air and a giddiness to every ones step. Janitha and I met up with an old friend of hers for drinks at the local "hot spot; to see and be seen." The outside tables (you can see on the right side of the picture) were packed with smokers and other outdoor enthusiasts. We stayed inside, more room, less smoke. Not to mention that Janitha and I are thoroughly spoiled with constant perfect weather, so we let the rest of the sun deprived Swedes enjoy. I headed downstairs to the restroom, and was confronted with 2 nearly identical doors, side by side, that left me in a quandary. Notice the last line, which finally made the decision for me.
We walked around town looking for a place to eat dinner, and passed by this view just as the sun finished setting, and the sky took on a mystical hue, punctuated by the cherry blossoms and cheery buildings near by.

Ah, salmon! It was just exquisite to look upon. As an appetizer I had raw reindeer thinly sliced. Alas, I forgot to take a picture.

Janitha's sister, Jannica and I sat next to each other. We are holding the menu up as a nice reminder of where we were eating. They were nice enough to get me a menu in English.

It is good to be me and have friends to share good times with.

Day 2 in Stockholm

Our morning view from Jannica's flat.
Getting out in Stockholm
Reflection in a Swedish guards helmet

Inside the church where Janitha and I paid 5 kronas each and lit a candle of our own to add to the caged prayers.

Outside the church. The cherry blossoms were out in all their glory.

Our lunch stop.

A colorful starter salad for lunch.

Rockin' my new shades

Traditionally Swedish meal: Swedish meatballs, potatoes and lingonberries.

The fascination with door knocker remains.

An urban rainbow

Sunset in Stockholm. And a chopper's silhouette in the sky.

Oh, it's good to be me when in Sweden!

The first day in Sweden

Tiggie didn't want me to go. I was going to take that jacket right under him, so, seeing the "black thing on wheels," he promptly decided to prevent my going by falling fast asleep on top of it. It accomplished 2 things: first, that he would have to be removed for me to take it and Sister would never wake a sleeping cat! Second, that even if I did take it, it would be "permanantly" slimed with kitty fur. Mission accomplished. I didn't take the jacket. But I did still go. The sign at the gate was my first welcoming token.
I had the whole row to myself, and was free to stretch out over the 4 empty seats, thereby inviting sleep. Or it should have. Still can't sleep on planes, much to my distain.

But it was 10 p.m. and I was on my way to Paris in the spring!!!

Flying into France...beautiful! At least now I can say I saw France. I loved the emerald of the countryside paired with the rustic crimson of the roofs. Especially charming was the courtyards beside the lakes.

Inside the Paris terminal. Quite the hustle and bustle. The geometric ceiling also caught my attention. I would have gotten a quick bite in the lowered cafe shops, but as it was, I had no euros, only dollars, and I knew I would be having a wonderful nosh on the plane a few moments later.

For all you salmon lovers out there, this was my delicious airplane lunch. A smoked piece of salmon served with capers (quite unlike the one's you tried Gma S...) which had a very thin creamy sauce with the lima beans and tomatoes mixed in. They also served french bread (this being Air France and all...) a tomato and cucumber salad (top left) a decanent chocolate soufle with some sort of custard in the middle, and water. I also ordered a coke, which came in a delicate can about half the height of a red bull drink, and just as thin. Also, tea and coffee were served. I just couldn't stomach the wine, champagne or beer they were offering quite that early, or late as the case may be.

My first glimpses of the Swedish coast line. I could amost make out a dragon in the topography. Not a cloud in the sky, and I was mesmerized.

Coming in for a landing. I also did not expect to see so much forestry.

It was nearly 6:30 in the evening when I arrived in Stockholm.

Welcome to Sweden!!!!

Janitha and her sister, Jannica, picked me up from the airport and we headed over to her mother's flat for dinner. This is the view from her flat. The girls call the area she lives in "The getto," but I belive it is actually called Uppsland. They will correct me if that is not correct, right?

Apparently, a Swedish tradition is making bunny ears in pictures. I am now officially inducted into the Swedish traditions! We had dinner by candle light, and the food was delicious!

Sorry, Janitha, but you made the blog again!!! This is "Princess cake," a multi layered white cake with each layer being no more than a centimeter thick, with fruit jam fillings, then with the rounded part being filled with whipped cream or something to that effect, and covered with lime green marizipan and sprinkled with sugar and cherries.

Janitha's darling mother bringing the dessert in. We also had coffee, tea, and a sweet liquor to top off the night. Such a wonderful time was had, and the food delicious. After dinner, we headed to Jannica's flat, and I fell fast asleep. Day 2 to be shown tomorrow! It's good to be me and Janitha's family is so good to take to me so happily. Oh, and Tiggie finally let me take part of him with me for Janitha and Jannica to share and remember him with. He shed in a bag. Sweet cat!

I was there!!!

Quick geography lesson... That's Sweden. Let me point out where I was....

That's Stockholm....

It's good to be me!!!

More pictures to follow!