2018-08-27 We are Vikings

Joyce let her group sleep later probably because they begged and looked sad.  They arrived at the train station at 9 to find no place to park.  (Everyone’ thought uh oh we should have gotten there earlier.  Joyce was right.  Thankfully she did not say “I told you so.”)   They drove around with parking anxiety floating in the car.  But found no available spaces so back to the flat just in time to miss the hourly bus to the train station.  Turns out it really is just a 20 minute walk to the train station.

The first stop was the Nordic Museum.  Culture Moment:  This museum is dedicated to the cultural history of Sweden from the early modern period to the contemporary period.  The museum has furniture, customs, a giant king and an aurora borealis room.  You are supposed to be able to go into this room, adjust to darkness and then see a fake Aurora Borealis.  The group all went into the room and waited for this exciting event.  Here is how the conversation went:

Joyce:  “Do you see anything?”

Debbie: “No, I don’t see anything.”

Larry:  “Is this it?”

Joyce:  “Yes, but I don’t get it”.

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Larry:  “I am leaving.  I don’t understand this museum” .

Second stop:  Vikingaliv – This attraction is about Vikings.  The best that the group can say is that it was entertaining and there was a ride.   There are some good pictures.

The final stop was the Spirit Museum which only deserves the comment that it was on the City card.

 

2018-08-26 Palaces

It has been discovered that the parking ticket was not about parking in the wrong place but  about parking over the lines.  The group felt this was a little excessive and has led to auditing all parking.  This increases the time to park as all doors are thrown open to verify that the car is within the lines.

Regardless of the parking anxiety, the group decided to drive to the castles instead of public transport.  Today’s destination was Drottningholm Palace (No, it is not misspelled).  This is the official residence of the royal family.  No one told the group but they read it on the internet.  The group thought that the Royal Family would want to greet them (turns out they did not).

Historical Moment: The castle was originally built in the late 16th century. It served as a regular summer residence of the Swedish royal court for most of the 18th century.   While it is a castle, it is not as elaborate as the French or German castles.  The group did visit the Baroque Gardens while running through the rain.  They took shelter in the guard house with the other wet tourists.  They also visited the Chinese Palace and theater at the castle.

At this time, the group needs to confess  another parking incident occurred.  The car was well within the lines but there was one parking meter with instructions in Swedish.  The time could only be added is increments of 15 minutes.  Jerry”s first attempt gained 45 minutes – BOOM that’s how you do it.  Joyce pointed out that one could not view a castle in 45 minutes.  Back in line for another 3 hours of time all logged electronically.  No printed ticket.  When the group returned to the car after lunch, there was a new ticket for expired time on the car windshield.  BOOM!  Two parking tickets in Sweden.  They had just figured out how to get the first one paid.
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So it was with some additional anxiety that the group proceeded on to castle number two, Skokloster Castle.  .  Historical Moment:  Skokloster Castle was built in the Baroque style between 1654 and 1676 by the wealthy military commander count Carl Gustaf Wrangel .  He made his money as a military commander during the 30 years war.  So the group’s conclusion was that he took home enough bounty of the war to fund the big house.  The visit was a little strange as the rooms were dark and the guide had a flashlight.  Debbie asked why it was so dark and the guide explained that only the first floor had electricity.  The castle is closed in the winter months because it is so dark.

The last stop was the Skokoster Church.  It was a long ride back in the rain with the second ticket staring at them from the dashboard.

2018-08-25 Vasa

Today the group went to the most visited museum in Scandinavia.  The group was excited.  They got there early and successfully navigated the rail, metro and a tram.  They were going to the Vasa Museum.   Hot Diggity Dog!

Historical moment:  The Vasa set sail on her maiden voyage on August 10, 1628 from Stockholm.   At the time, she was the most powerfully armed warship in the world, with 64 bronze cannons. Twenty minutes into her journey, the ship was hit by two strong winds. It heeled to port, water gushed in, and the ship sank less than a mile into the journey.  (Talk about a bad day.  The ship sank in front of the king and all the people that came to see it off).  Turns out that the ship was top heavy.  In 1961, the ship was salvaged after it was under water for 333 years.  The Vasa Museum displays the Vasa.  The ship was rebuilt inside the museum.    The ship is awesome.  The group went wild taking pictures.  You may not want to mention anything about the Vasa because they might get excited and never stop talking about it.

They did have one incident where Debbie and Larry were kicked out of the bathroom line.  No, they did not do anything wrong but the man decided to clean the bathroom just as they got to the door.  Joyce pretended that she did not understand, ran around the cleaner and locked herself in the stall.  Debbie and Larry, sadly, had to go to the back of the other line.   They were not happy.  The cleaner got the stink eye.

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The next stop was Skansen which is an open air museum.   Think of a Swedish Williamsburg without so many employees.    As they left, a “hop on hop off” bus came by.  The group hopped on and were happily riding  until the bus reached the end of the line and told everyone to exit the bus.  They didn’t really want to stay anyway because the bus kept playing classical music which made some people sleepy.

2018-08-24 Royalty

Before starting the travel day, an interesting Swedish fact that has taken the group by surprise.  The Swedish cinnamon bun is a staple.  It isn’t like Cinnabon.  The buns have less sugar and no frosting.  Instead, the buns are doughy, sticky with cinnamon and cardamom paste and are pretty good. The  buns are usually the pastry used for fika, the Swedish tradition of breaking for coffee, and it is  the most popular Swedish pastry.  The average Swede consumes 316 buns a year.  October 4th is cinnamon bun day. (Debbie says that she can support that day)

Now for the day.  Once again the group began early.  Even earlier than the day before.  They were off to visit the royal apartments.  History Moment: The Royal Apartments at the Palace are a collective name for state rooms that are used at The King and Queen’s receptions.  Debbie’s interpretation:  There are rooms that can be used for visitors, state occasions, parties and other stuff.   There are also guards all around the entrances.  History Moment:  The Swedish state Treasury houses the state regalia used for royal weddings, christenings, and funerals.  The group saw the regalia and think that the crowns would fit their heads.  History Moment:   In the third museum of the day (all this before lunch)  in the cellars of the Royal Palace, were the remnants of the Tre Kronor Castle, which was destroyed by fire in 1697.  The group finished the Royal area with a visit to the Royal Chapel.  Just to be clear:  The King and Queen of Sweden don’t live in the Royal Palace but the group of four would be willing to stay in the state apartments just for the week.  They finished up the morning watching the change of the guard.  They have yet to receive an invitation to stay in the Royal Apartments.

After a lunch that may or may not have included reindeer, the group proceeded to their first church  visit of the vacation.  (Royal Chapel does not count).  History Moment:  Storkyrkan (The Great Church), officially named Church of St. Nicholas  and informally called  Stockholm Cathedral.  It is the oldest church in Old Town.   The group thought this was a Catholic Church but was surprised to learn this is part of the Church of Sweden.  The church of Sweden is an Evangelical Lutheran national church.  Are you confused yet?

The next stop was Riddarholm.   History Moment:    The Riddarholm Church is the burial church of the Swedish monarchs and several other families.  It has been discontinued  as the monarchy burial place.  The four felt that it was a bit depressing.

The final stop of the day was the Nobel Prize Museum.  They learned a lot about the process and how to apply, who votes, and the categories.  The current prize is about a million dollars per category.   Some people were really into the tour.  (Not our group).  They shouted out the answers to the questions and pushed to the front of the group.  Joyce admitted that she had actually met a Nobel laureate.  The other three realized that they must not be traveling in the right circles and have started studying up so that they can yell out answers next time.
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2018-08-23 River Tour

It is time to get serious about touring.  Joyce told her people that they had to be ready to roll at 8:00 AM.  (Debbie says that it is similar to a military operation. )  They took the train back to Old Town and were second in line for “The Tour of Under the Bridges of Stockholm”.   (Debbie says that if you are from Houston this is not a tour that you would like to take but is different in Stockholm.  They are also not sure how someone beat them in line but have photographic proof.)

Today they discovered a strange phenomena.  When they withdrew money from the ATMs, it was in 500 Kroner units.  No one will take their cash.  (Hard to pay 500 kroner to get in a pay toilet).  The boat would not take cash for coffee either.  For 2 hours, they toured the canals and islands with cash in hand.  The bakery would not take their cash.  The bank told them no.   They decided to go to lunch at a fish place and pay cash.  Nope!  Only one person could pay cash.  Debbie and Larry were still running around tightly holding on to their 500 kroner bill.  They saw people paying for ice cream cones with a credit card, bread with a credit card, coffee with a credit card but no cash.  After 4 hours, they had managed to break one bill.  Why give out bills that no one will take?

The next stop was City Hall.  Happily, the City said that they were happy to take  money for the tour and anything else that they would like to buy.  So after paying, everyone went on a tour.  The group had discovered that the Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm.  After the awards are given out, the Blue Hall in City Hall is used for the award dinner.  Cultural Moment:  The room is not blue (long story) and the stair way was built for women in formals and high heels.  (The architect felt it would be unseemly for an award winner or royalty to roll down the stairs.)  After the dinner, there is a dance in the Gold Hall.  Interesting fact:  You can rent those two rooms out.  So if anyone wants to have a big party, Debbie is available and knows how to get there plus she can bring 3 others.  The city government also has meetings when time allows.

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2018-08-22 Shopping

The group had attempted to find a grocery store last night but were so sad about the ticket that they just went home.  Today, they continued their Swedish learning journey.  The grocery store gives out tokens to get a cart, you can get a scanner to self service scan as you go sort of like wedding registry.  (The group did not feel ready for these).  They were just excited to be in the store.  This grocery store was awesome.  It was the cleanest store ever.  They weren’t too sure what they were purchasing but enthusiastically shopped  and  pelted the staff with questions.   They got several  samples as it was easier to give samples than for the staff to explain.  They even purchased a big bag of frozen meatballs after receiving instructions on how to cook them.  (The vacation group was a big hit with the grocery staff. )  Guess what who had meatballs for lunch?

After lunch, it was time to learn how to navigate the train.  After successfully, making it to Old town Stockholm, the group took a self guided walking tour.  (There was some anxiety and a broken escalator with more than 100 steps but they got there).  Geographic Moment:  Stockholm is located on Sweden’s east coast, where the freshwater Lake Mälaren — Sweden’s third largest lake — flows out into the Baltic Sea. The central parts of the city consist of fourteen islands that are continuous with the Stockholm archipelago (chain of islands).  Who knew?  Who know what archipelago meant?

On the walk, they found the smallest public statue in Stockholm.  It is a little boy representing orphans that worked on the docks.  Grandmother’s knit caps for the statue.  There was also a statute of St. George fighting the dragon which was quite impressive.  So impressive that it sent the group off in the wrong direction.  They also watched the changing of the guard (lite – not the whole thing with horses and bands).   At the end of the day, they felt like they knew much more about Stockholm.

It is due to the veins check to find out more cheapest levitra carrying less blood to those parts. Phew! Lets take a moment to thank the Good Lord restores our health using our own bodies intrinsically by saying viagra sales in uk http://www.devensec.com/rules-regs/decregs411.html no to smoking and alcohol. Although they are buy cheap viagra effective in use, there are a few limitations. However, it is important to exercise these methods with moderation viagra samples for sale and try to not mix both in a short period of time. A special shout out to Jennifer for her birthday from her parents.  They ate a meatball in her honor.

 

2018-08-21 And So It Begins

Debbie and Larry began their trip listening to jazz in Houston. (Yep, they had musicians in the terminal).   Off they flew to London.  With Larry’s help Debbie was able to score her own row.  When the doors closed, she shot across the aisle and staked her claim like a true squatter.   The food was not to their liking.  (Yes, you did get fed by the airlines but come on.)  Debbie was very sad.  She consoled herself by eating the comfort good that she had brought from home.

They arrived in London early in the morning and met Joyce and Jerry.  By 2:30 that afternoon, the group had arrived in Stockholm.  First stop, car rental.  Second stop car rental – third stop – car rental.  No, they didn’t actually leave and come back but did load and unload a couple of cars.  At one point, they thought someone would be holding luggage in their laps.

The group drove across Stockholm in rush hour.   Stockholm has quite an impressive rush hour.   Joyce drove and Debbie was moral support.  Jerry and Larry were not as supportive as they slept their way across Stockholm.  Larry said that he was thinking with his eyes closed and not really sleeping.

There is a book called “A Man Called Ove”.  The book is about a neighborhood in Sweden and the group feels that they are living that book.    The street has traffic signs just like the book.  Larry has volunteered to be the grumpy old man of the book if needed.  He thinks that there are lots of apples on the ground that he could throw at people.  (Joyce and Debbie have recommended that he not throw apples as several police officers live in the neighborhood).
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Once the group unloaded and were given the tour by the owner, it was time to search for food.  They were existing on airline food and also wanted to find the train station  They had been assured that they could park at the train parking lot for free.  (This is an important statement).   They ate in a Greek Restaurant where everyone cleared their plate and happily returned to the car.    Good moods can be shattered by notes on your cars.  Turns out that one can’t park in the train parking lot for free.  If you do park there, someone will give you a ticket.  On the upside, how many people do you know that have had tickets in multiple countries?

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2018-08 Swedan, Swedon, Sweden?

Europe is our fall destination. We hope that you come on the trip with us.   It starts soon.  Frantic packingLarry and Debbie began discussing their destinations which some Scandinavia countries and part of the UK.  As they discussed their first destination, Debbie realized that she didn’t know how to spell it.  Swedan?  Swedon or Sweden.  Debbie asked  Larry At this point, they realized there might be an issue.

Debbie thinks of Stockholm Syndrome (Pattie Hurst).  Ikea – Swedish meatballs

Larry thinks of windmills and tulips (Debbie is going to have to call this questionable).

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So, okay readers – What do you think of when you think of Sweden?

Debbie looked up Stockholm Syndrome so she knows.

2018 July – Oregon Tales

In July, Mia took her grandparents (DeeDee/Debbie and PawPaw/Larry) on a trip to Oregon.  In a lucky stroke, our hard-hitting reporter was able to quiz Mia on their recent trip.

Hard Hitting Reporter (HHR):  Mia why did you take your grandparents to Oregon?

Mia:  Well, I had taken DeeDee to Hawaii in June and learned a lot about how to handle her.  Adding PawPaw was an additional challenge but I knew that Lindsey Leigh would be there.  Once I got them settled on the plane with movies they were fine but I did have to get some snacks for them later.  DeeDee said that snacks were good or there might have been a “Snickers” moment.  (I’m not really sure what she is referencing).

HHR:  What did you do once our group landed?

Mia:  We thought it would be good to tire them out so took them directly to a kickball game.  Lindsey and Aaron are star players.  DeeDee and PawPaw mostly just stood around while I networked.  Sometimes, I had to send them into tall weeds to retrieve frisbees that even the dogs would not go to retrieve.

HHR:  Rumor is that an incident went down on Fall Creek Trail.  Could you tell us what happened?

Mia:  Well, we were hiking when PawPaw yelled that a fly bit him.  DeeDee mumbled something about flies not biting and wimpy hikers.  She proceeded down the trail to investigate the flies.  Suddenly, there was a blood-curdling scream that did give Lindsey and I concern.  As we looked down the trail, we saw Dee-Dee slapping, hopping, running, and yelling inappropriate words.  Paw Paw was also running and slapping.  At first, we thought they were in a slap fight.

Debbie:  I am going to jump in here.  We suddenly found ourselves in a swarm of wasps.   It was only through skillful ducking and diving that we came away with only 1 sting each.   It was very painful.  We thought that Lindsey Leigh would have performed some type of medical procedure or carried us on her back to the car but she did not.   There is the suspicion that someone whacked the nest as they walked by.   Anyone would have said inappropriate words.

Larry:  I also said inappropriate words and I don’t care.

Mia:  See what I have to work with?

HHR:  Did you see any other interesting sights?

Mia:  Yes, DeeDee and I went to the children’s museum and planetarium.  I think that DeeDee enjoyed it but might have fallen asleep during the show.

Debbie:  Okay, yes, I did close my eyes but it was because they were repeating information and I was laying flat out in a chair.  I was practicing listening skills.

HHR:  How was your visit to Crater Lake?

Mia:  It was really nice although there was some smoke.

HHR:  Did you do any hiking?

 Mia:  We hiked up the Watchman’s Trail.  DeeDee was a bit difficult on this hike.  She said that she doesn’t do hikes in the sun and especially uphill hikes.  I had to put my hand on her back sometime and push.  PawPaw told DeeDee that you couldn’t give a stink eye to grandchildren so she consoled herself by giving a stink eye to anyone that ran past her up the trail.  I think that Lindsey Leigh might have also said not to try to trip the runners.

HHR:   We saw pictures of a big kite on the beach.  What happened there?

Mia:  Aaron brought the kite.  It was exciting.  Especially when Lindsey Leigh fell down and rolled in the sand.

Lindsey Leigh:  I keep telling you, it was a graceful way to bring down the kite. Let’s not talk about this.

HHR:  Did you go do Portland?

Mia:  Yes, Portland has awesome parks and we saw our cousins who were visiting.

HHR:  I heard that you bonded with the chickens.

Mia:  Yes, I liked finding the eggs and helping put the chickens away.  Let’s ask DeeDee how she felt about the chickens.

Debbie:  I just want to go on the record that chickens are not substitutes for grandchildren or grand-puppies.  I did bond somewhat with Morgan Freedman.  There was also RuPaul, Anna Nicolle and Marshall Mathers.  Why do all of these chickens have male names except for Anna Nicole who refuses to lay eggs?  This is just wrong.

Larry:  I just wanted to say that there was a list of chores that I worked on in my down time.

Debbie:  I liked Lindsey’s house and tried to be supportive in the execution of those chores.

Mia:  It was hard work but I would take them back again but might need Mom to go next time to help with the management.

Lindsey Leigh:  I have started my chore list for next time to help keep them busy.

Mia:  I am glad that I was able to help them have a little fun.  I am not sure they should travel alone.

2018-06-14 Waterfalls

When you think of Hawaii, you think of waterfalls.  If you are cheap then you may choose the land version rather than the helicopter option.  Jennifer, Mia and Debbie chose the land version.

They began the trip with a visit to the Hawaiian Cafe as it was going to be a long day.  The first stop was at Akaka Falls Lookout.  It is one of the best known waterfalls on the island.   It is sort in the middle of no where so it is difficult to figure out where all the water flow is generated.

They next stop was Laupahoehoe Park.    This park has a sad history where a tsunami wave struck a school on  April 1, 1946.  The park is a memorial and not heavily used.  The sad history continues as, we found people displaced by the volcano camping on this beach.

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Now that Mia has some vacation experience, she is planning on taking her grandparents to Oregon to visit Lindsey Leigh.