Göteburg

We spent the last three days in Göteburg – or Gothenburg, as you may be more familiar. Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden.  And it seems just that – a large city.  It can be loud, busy, and dirty, lazy, alive, and beautiful all at once.  There was plenty to see and plenty of places to shop.  Once we past the city center, there was plenty to photograph as well.  Since our family is typically more intersted in the historical, we called this our modern excursion.  Here are a few snapshots of our wee “road trip.”

This was Micah’s first train ride – nearly three hours in length – and we’re fairly certain, he did better than any of us …

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Upon arriving in Gothenburg, we marched in a line – stroller in lead, suitcases in tow – to our hotel.  We were informed to turn right and it would be the boat at the end.  This is what we came to …

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Now you must understand, my sister-in-law was raised as a missionary in Africa, I … was not.  She took one look at this boat and thought it quaint.  I took one look, stopped in my tracks, and thought, WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!

Luckily, we turned right from there and found our Ibis …

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Sigh.  SO much better!  If you are unfamiliar, Ibis is a Swedish chain of affordable hotels.  They are clean, and courteous, and quite lovely.  They are also efficient, meaning the rooms allow only for the necessities.  If you are large – in height or width – I can’t recommend.  As it was, my mom kept hitting her head on a shelf, and I couldn’t seem to get around the bed without moving the chair with my large butt.

We put in a lot of miles on these here cobblestone streets.  Partly because we’d rather walk than ride the trolley or bus, and partly because we were wandering aimlessly about a good deal of the time.

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Fairly certain we were the obvious American tourists in Liseberg (the amusement park), giggling while taking photos of the lusty gardens or certain statues.  But seriously.  People.  It was a little funny …

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Our favorite was the Universeum – partly because there was a lot to see and do (for the price of entry), and partly because we were seeing it through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time …

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Lest I bore you to tears, I will tell you this – we saw a lot of beauty and made a lot of memories …

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And while Micah may not remember his first train ride, or his first trip to Gothenburg, we will most certainly never forget …

The sun got lost …

My brother likes to say when the sun gets lost, it finds itself in Sweden.  Such was the case today.  My mum, brother, nephew and I decided to take advantage of the blue skies and sunshine and headed for downtown.  Here’s a brief overview of our adventures …

It’s currently “Open Art” season – meaning anyone can display their art, anywhere downtown.  This, for instance, is located in the castle’s mote …

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Or, one of our personal favorites, displayed above a shopping plaza …

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We meandered about in a park …

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Before frolicking amidst old town – a jaunt not complete without ice cream …

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We even walked the banks of the black river.  Though to us it looked like molten chocolate – as if you could dip your finger in its waters and come away with a delectable delight …

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It was a full day of traipsing this way and that.  We’re parched – our feet are dusty and tired – but I don’t think I have to tell  you, we wouldn’t trade those miles (or kilometers) for anything in the world.

An aside: for my faithful readers, we’re roadtripping tomorrow through Thursday.  I shall return on Friday.

A Swedish Sunday

It’s hard to imagine, as I sit here typing, that people back home are just now getting ready for church.  We, on the other hand, are settling in after day full of new friends and family.  It was a day of bible readings and song; a day of sharing tea with friends, and a big meal with extended family.  A day of laughing at our differences, and finding common ground in such things as cars or ice cream.  But most importantly, it was the day of Micah’s blessing.

It truly was precious.  Mom cried during the blessing, I cried during the sermon –  between the two of us, we had tears covered.  What can I say? We’re gushers. There’s just something special about being with a group of believers – you may  not speak the same language, but you serve the same God.  And we could not have been made to feel more welcome.  The pastor gave the blessing in both English and Swedish.  They even had an interpreter for the rest of the service.

And there lies my humiliation …

We were sitting right in front of the interpreter’s booth you see.  As the priest got up to say the final blessing, the interpreter said he couldn’t interpret since the priest was not wearing a mic.  Being ever so polite, I turned around to acknowledge – Chuckle, chuckle! Oh, that’s okay.  Only I didn’t mouth it; I said it–Out Loud.  With earphones on.  It was only when my mom punched my leg and I turned to see her look of mortification that I realized something quite possibly was amiss.

Oj!  Those stupid Americans …

Here we are…

In Sweden.  After nearly 20 hours in airports and airplanes we landed safely in Stockholm.  During the two-hour drive from the airport to Örebro, the scenery that flashed past the window looked much like that of Idaho, Oregon, or Washington – clusters of birch trees and pine, mingled with stretches of wide open fields.  The only indication that we were on foreign soil was the occasional red barn, painted with the kilometers to the next McDonalds.

And the jet lag?  It kicked our butts!  Luckily the skies have been grey, and the rains have poured.  Perfect weather for staying in, lighting candles, eating cake, and sipping good, strong coffee.   Just the recipe for savoring life’s simple pleasures, like…

Kissing this face …

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Eating toast with jam and gouda …

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Kissing this face …

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Walking in the rain …

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Kissing this face …

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Sensing a theme?  Yeah, poor guy.  Good thing he loves his nana!

And we’re off …

Nothing like a little last minute packing to get you in the traveling mood – or make you want to puke.  One or the other.  Of course this has been my modus operandi for close to thirty years, so why stop now? 

As I type I’m surrounded by stuff that needs to go in the suitcase – with a prayer that it will some how lighten when packed.  The house has been cleaned, keys made, itinerary passed about, and the freezer is stocked with Skinny Cows (there’s got to be some sort of sweet compensation for having to watch the affairs of another while they are visiting abroad, I mean really!).  Once I post this, I’ll check-in and spend the rest of the day trying to prepare for an early morning flight.  For all intents and purposes, we’re on our way …

If you’re new to this site, you’re probably wondering what in the world?  Here’s the story:  my brother and his wife had a baby boy last November – my mom’s first grandbaby, and my first godbaby! Well, isn’t that nice, you say.  Yes and no.  You see, they live in Sweden.  SWEDEN!  Just when we were trying to figure out how we could pull our pennies together for a visit, the clinic my mom works for threw her a birthday party.  It was complete with a cake that read “Happy Birthday grandma Debbie,”  leather luggage tags, leather passport holder, a ticket to Sweden and over $900.  She cried for weeks.  Being the good daughter that I am I mocked her endlessly for her sensitivity.  Then I received a card with $800 from my co-workers and cried like a baby.    

So tomorrow, my aunt and uncle will pick us up at 3:45 in the morning to take us to the airport.  We’ll check-in luggage adorned with tags purchased by friends.  We’ll hand over  boarding passes that were purchased by friends.  We’ll use sanitzers and lavender hand lotion given by friends.   We’ll give gifts on behalf of friends. We’ll share meals and otherwise make an abundance of memories because of friends. 

So you see, this is no ordinary holiday.  It’s proof of just how big and good the hearts of friends can be.  If you’re one such friend, thank you.  There are no words to express our gratitude.  I’d love to take you all with me.  But since trying to sneak you in on my carry-on might pose a bit of a problem, I’ll do the next best thing – blog!