B Visits

Our first visitor from home: our youngest son Benton. We had a grand time. He was here for about a month in the year 2000, so it was fun for him to re-visit some things. Some of the highlights of his visit were kayaking. He and I went from Svima Sports all the way around Stora Essingen, Långholmen, and Kungsholmen and then up Ulvsundasjön to the big bridge. I took ibupfofen for two days after. Later in his visit he went again with J in Brunnsviken. B also had some fun enjoying the Stockholm nightlife. Nobody is a stranger to him! we walked along Strandvägen. We hit several nice restaurants including the trendy summertime-only floating restaurant called Stranbryggan and the sushi restaurant in our neighborhood called Raw. We saw Die Hard 4, visited the Nordic Museum, wandered around Gamla Stan, worked out at the fitness center several times, and B got royally cheated by a taxi driver late one night. He was out so late the buses and subway had stopped. B had spent all his kroner and told the driver "I only have American dollars." The driver said "That's ok, you American's are rich." B said "Not this American." After a very short ride from T-Centralen to S:T Eriksplan, the driver said "$40." He paid and later found out it should've been $6.

We'd like to take this time to express our appreciation to B for taking care of some of our business while we are away.

Utö and Ålö - a perfect day trip

B is visiting so we decided to take a long day trip from Stockholm to the island of Utö (pronounced ew-ter). We left the apartment at around 7 AM, took the pendeltåg from Karlberg to Västerhaninge, a bus to Årsta brygga, and finally a ferry to Gruvbyn pier on Utö. Each leg was about 40 minutes.


Right off the boat is the quaint center of Gruvbyn. It's mostly tourist and Swedes visiting their archipelago cabins. The permanent residents of Utö number around 400, IIRC. We then rented "urban" bike. It was still misting rain and the skies were the color of faded asphalt. We rode the bikes south from Gruvbyn on the primary dirt road toward a fish restaurant we'd been told about on another island called Ålö (pronounced oh-ler). There is a small bridge connecting Utö with Ålö. The ride passed through plush green forest and meadows loaded with ferns. "This is the Sweden I love," said J. It looked like the movie set from Jurassic Park. There were some houses and farms, too. The whole bike ride one way was about 10 kilometers (6 miles). Once at Ålö, we had to wait on the restaurant to open so we explored around the small bay and sat on the dock watching the sea gulls, a few boats passing, and talking.
The restaurant served mostly smoked seafood from the nearby waters. J had smoked salmon. B and I had a combo plate with smoke salmon, raw salmon thinly sliced, and smoked prawns. All served in a wooden box. The prawns still had eggs in them. We ate the big black eyes, some red organs, the meat and the eggs. Not bad. The cost of this lunch was high, IMHO. One beer, two waters, and the three meals was 495 SEK, $71.
The ride back was much nicer because the sun came out, the clouds parted and became the white billowy cumulus clouds. It seed the grays all became blues. You can see how the colors changed by viewing the Flickr slide show (66 photos) from start to finish.

30 Years in a flash

Today we (D & J, that is) celebrated our 30'th anniversary. Actually, although we'd been talking about it for weeks, it was mid-day before either of us remembered. I won't mention which one of us remembered...

We'd hoped to celebrate early last weekend on the island of Utö but decided the weather wasn't warm enough. Hopefully we'll do that sometime soon (and write a blog about it).

I went on a kayak trip today. The trip started at the Pampas Marina. Point 65 North has a kayak rental place there. The trip started around 1:00. I headed along the north shore of Ulvsundajön till I past the Carlsberg brewery. That's a good 30 minutes of constant paddling. I passed a nice looking Swedish woman on the shoreline sunning topless. She was sitting in a chair reading a book. I tried to read the title of the book but was close enough. She was still there on the return trip. AN was still there .... just kidding.


I then headed toward Kristineberg among some large boats and large wakes. At first I was afraid of capsizing in the cold water but soon felt very confident. I saw a few people swimming but they could stay in long.


Next I paddled completely around the Kungsholmen island and saw several other stunning topless young women sunbathing - actually sitting up with the headlights pointed right at me. I underestimated how long it would take and was hurting by the time I got back to the rental place. About mid-way around the island, one of us remembered the anniversary and called the other....


J stayed at he apartment today and caught up on some reading and emails, did a little watercolor painting, and corrected some of my spelling errors on one of the other blogs.

She also collected her photos from the previous evening's party.


Tonight we'll have a small celebration but reward ourselves for putting up with each other for 30 years next weekend (probably) with two nights on Utö. The accomplishment of 30 years of marriage is dwarfed by the accomplishment of raising three wonderful kids that somehow managed to succeed despite us!

J Arrives

J arrived just three days ago. It was wonderful to see her after just over four lonely weeks. She came out of the airport with a single bag. When I asked where the other bags were, she said "we have to go pick them up."
"You just walked past them in the secure area. I hope security lets you back in."

They did. That could never happen in Chicago or Heathrow!

After days of nice weather, J's first three days have either been rainy or cold and windy. We spent more time at the grocery store than I had spent in the previous 4 week but we now have a stocked kitchen. My staple of peanut butter, bread, milk, a few oranges, and, well, that's about it, is now supplemented with meats, eggs, cereals, pasta, vegetables, and spices.

Find a short photo collage of the D&J Weekend on flickr.com.

Here's what J said in her first email back to family (with slight edits for the blog):
"D met me at the airport and we took a cab to the apt. I slept from the afternoon until 12pm today, mostly jet lag. Today, I got up and unpacked and organized the whole apartment to know where everything is and to make room since there are hardly any closets. But there is a little room off the bedroom....a nice study w/desk by a window and nice shelving on the wall. That is where I must put my clothes-on those shelves. It is actually cozy and I like it although it's a little non-traditional.
The apartment is very European and Swedish (at least to me)....tall ceilings, dormer windows that are tall w/big ledges, hardwood floors, decorated in Ikea furniture, lamps, pictures, curtains, and objects. We have 7 rooms that are big...just no closets. But we are here 'til Oct then get to pick a new place.

D and I walked to the grocery store. Imagine walking to King Soopers or Albertsons (although closer) and having to carry what you buy home. You'd buy just what you can carry and go often....and have to dress for all types of weather. Those cloth grocery bags from Whole Foods are coming in handy!

That is my lifestyle now....all walking and carrying....no car.....out in all types of weather. It has rained since I got here. D says it was nice before then and is the first rain since he arrived mid-March. And it is chilly and windy...it is a cold wind. I am glad I packed my silk undershirt and several jackets.....only a few sweaters but I can layer and I have my down jacket and a raincoat w/hood.

Since you walk so much here, shoes are a big deal. You're always walking on concrete and going up and down stairs in all weather. D says many people have walking boots or shoes and leave other shoes at their work. Rain boots are common. And maybe I will need to buy a warmer waterproof coat come winter. Maybe my long wool/cashmere will do?? I will definitely need a hat! But the point is, we will need a variety of weather gear.

Buying groceries was a challenge....products look different when the labels are in Swedish. Many are packaged differently. I need to bring a dictionary to grocery store.

Oh and I forgot to tell you that a teenage boy opened the toilet door on me while in flight as I was sitting on the john. It was my fault since I didn't have it latched well. We both gasped. No dignity left in me. He had to close the door 'cause if you're sitting it is hard to reach lath because as it opens in a odd way. But I could reach the lock once he closed it...er slammed it. Afterwards, I laughed and laughed. What can you do?"

J Speaks

Easter Weekend/Holy Saturday Post: Well, well, it's time I enter a blog. I am considered the "trailing spouse" in such corporate LTA (long term assighnments), and true to the name-here I'm trailing behind! I've yet to experience with D the adventures of Sweden as I am handling last minute preparations. (Picture me cleaning the yard of winter's remnants; dead leaves, broken tree branches, and of course the constant dog poop!) If that isn't a pretty picture, I am also having fun (quit my job 3 weeks ago) sharing the news with friends, meeting friends and my children for lunches and coffee here and there. Also, cancelling subscriptons, changing mailing addresses, visiting the bank, filing income taxes, and prepping the house for the August wedding of our oldest son. Then there was the one day D called and said "go buy long underwear....I've heard it is a must for the winters here"...and off I went. Also, I've run out for extra luggage and circuit adaptors. D has needed me back here to DHL (think intern'l Fed-Ex) papers back and forth that needed his signature. One day I visited his work 3 times and had to recruit all the secretaries for faxing, copying and notorizing. Thanks, girls....this is taking a whole TEAM!!!! Everyone there is just great. Whenever I am over there, I see people in the halls, etc. and someone always asks how things are going. It feels like family. Also, we couldn't do this without the support and enthusiasm of our 3 children. They are incredible human beings. Our oldest and his fiance are taking the dogs and our youngest will be staying at the house for awhile and taking care of it and our cat. What would I do without them?????? I will miss them the most.

I also needed to get all required immunization shots and my doctor visits up to date such as dental cleaning, physical exam, much of what was required for me to pass thru the immigration board. I am happy to say I passed thru and I have a work permit also! Will I work? Maybe...I will see. If I can go to D to Ireland or wherever, I'd love to have a flexible schedule so I can go. D was rushed thru immigration to get onto the job site asap. But for me....it's not SUCH a rush although I will happy to be a couple again. Can I say that again???? I will be happy to be a couple again!!!! Plans are for me to fly out Tues. Apr. 17th. I've loaded my ipod and started packing.

I did get to visit Sweden in '00 when D was there for a 6 mos. assignment, so I remember much about it. Living there for longer will be very different and I look forward to it and see it as a gift and a blessing. My job is to go and support D in every way I can. Also, I look forward to learning Swedish and seeing old friends whom I met both there in Sweden and here in the States. I've already bought some language CD'S and have started learning. I can't wait for the adventure to begin over there!!!

One Cat, Two Dogs

One of the biggest dilemmas before moving to Sweden is to decide what to do with the pets. Since Sweden and the United States are on excellent terms, the regulations are as simple as can be found (with the possible exception of Canada and Mexico). The rules as I know them are:
Dogs and cats must be re-vaccinated by a licensed vet and a lot more stuff.

Will we take them? We're still undecided because they are such an integral component of the family. However, having them limits where we can live in Sweden and also presents an "animal sitting" problem if we take any trips in Europe. We have the same problem in Colorado, though.