You'd never think it was...

Texas. South Padre Island. A virtual vacation for you.

Hope you have enjoyed! It's good to be me and back with my parents again.

Last Day in Sweden

The outdoor market in Stockholm. Walking in the city, this gentleman was playing some music for us.... guess what kind? That's right! Swedish music!
These road blocks in the shape of lions were everywhere in a certain part of the city. This one, though, had been a little vandalized. Not all the lions were cross-eyed. Just this one. Sure takes away from his fierceness. Cute though!

And some cute "His" and "Hers" bathroom door signs.

I doubt these would fly in the states. Cute though.

And for a celebration of Janitha's mother's birthday the next day and my flying out, we went for drinks at the Sky Bar. The sun was setting and I still couldn't get enough pictures.

Later, Jannica asked if I was part Japanese, what with all the tourist pictures I was taking!

Janitha's mom is such a sweetheart. She even agreed to get in on the map pointing pictures with me. This is where the Sky Bar was in location to the city.

The above picture is taken from inside the Sky Bar. Great views. Even better company!

And one last picture....remind you of anyone? Pippi, by chance?

It's good to be me, or Pippi, and back at home.

Then the battery died.

I can only imagine how inviting the colorful buildings are in a blanket of white snow. As it was, it was warm and the blues of the rivers were a perfect complement.
My "Swedish hair-do!" Janitha did my hair for me. I should have taken a picture of the back, but it was a braid off to the side, with many whimsical tendrils deconstructedly pulled from a bun. Really cute!

City hall, if I am not mistaken.

And again, my favorite steeple in Stockholm.

In typical Swedish tradition, we went to see Jannica perform in a show. The curtains were delightful and the colors invigorating. Being more modern, the dancing was traditional. Just not traditional Swedish.

It was better!

Jannica did a beautiful dance for us. I will let you guess which one she is.

Look! Swedish ball players on a stick! We found these ice creams in a bowling alley. Yeah. I always think of bowling when I think of Stockholm too.

Just like belly dancing.

Well, it's good to be me, even though the battery died shortly thereafter.

Thank you again, Janitha, for letting me borrow your camera.

I am heading up to Dallas today and I will be getting copies from her camera so that I can post of my last day in Sweden. Oh, but it was a wonderful travel delight!

Faces and foods

Entry way to our Swedish Smorgasboard/Brunch Our view of Stockholm from our seats

And this is where we sat. If you look hard, you can see Janitha, her uncle and Jannica's back.

Some of the meats being served. We've got bacon, chicken wings, sausages, and meatballs from top left moving clockwise.

Swedish pancakes with lingonberrys or berry jams. Technically, any pancakes made in Sweden are Swedish pancakes, so I guess calling them "Swedish Pancakes" is redundant.

I loved the curves of this steeple

One of my favorite shots in Stockholm.

Then we went into an indoor marketplace/mall. You can see the shops on the upper levels, and the market down below.

A butcher shop in the market.

Some ready-made dishes.

The colorful truffles display.

Cheese!!!!

The tulips were splendid!

After the marketplace, we went to an outdoor street faire.

Local artists voluntarily did the mosaic on the walls.

We walked by the river. Even the boats hail Sweden's colors!

Two lovely ladies strolling by the waterside. Jannica had purchased her necklace at the street faire.

Sometimes I forget how red my hair can get.

I think this is my absolute favorite pictures of the whole entire trip. The way the clouds balance, the lace of the steeple, and the composition of the boat. It just works for me.

Down by Slussen. Some of the first days pictures were taken from the tower above us.

The girls on the balcony. What a great view she has from her flat.

The perfect ending to a perfect day.