It takes a minute or two to get acquainted with a new country...When we arrived last summer with the kids in tow it was a real stress. Thankfully I've done this before and now it's just a mater of re acquainting.
As the plane touches down there is a sense of relief...we are finally here but there's so much to be done. First there is customs, no problem... My five pound bag of Old soul Coffee didn't set off the alarm. We exchange our Greenbacks for Kronor and head to the car rental.
There is a royal wedding the day of our arrival! (Here is a photo of the happy bride and groom)
I didn't realize that Sweden had a royal family and I'm not sure how all swede's feel about having a monarchy. When I discussed this with my good friend Sam last year he mentioned that it is a bit of an embarrassment for their progressive modern society to have a monarchy.
I'm curious to know what Swedish people think of their Monarchy. Please feel free to leave comments below....* I guess the royal family has no real political power and play a more dignitarial role in in national and international policy.
On this note - Dad pointed out a motorcade of "Polis" cars and Motorbikes on the Motorway as we approached the city. It looked to be a dignitorial in nature, most likely on the way to the airport.
From the Airport we rent a car for the duration of our trip, 28 days. It's a compact car with GPS built which should do the trick. From the airport we dash south from Arlanda International about 40 Km to a small island outside of the Capitol to my brothers home in Lidingö ( pronounced Leding-ur ) where we will stay the next few days.
When we arrive to the house and our niece Shamala is waiting for us with food and rooms ready. We were very grateful but pooped fro a long journey and ready for SLEEP....
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The next day Sunday. We retrieved our public transport passes "SL Access" and head into the city. One bus and One train and 20 minutes to Ostermalsorg station. Cell phones are the first order of business... I have Verizon in the states but the cost for Data Roaming is prohibitive to use here. TELENOR is one of the biggest cell providers in Sweden so we purchases new phones and data cards for the month. When we finally arrive to the house we there won't be any Wifi so we must use our phones for all communications.
Like good tourists we had to take in the sights and sounds after all this is my dad and brothers first trip to Europe..While in the city we were greeted by a procession of sorts, a remnant from the wedding. It looked to be a the royal guard on horseback traveling through the streets of the Capitol. At the lead a horn section playing a quite beautiful foreign song that echoed through the streets. It was was real treat...
After a short stay at my brothers home we pack our things & travel to a tiny hamlet nestled in a small valley 300 Kilometers north of Stockholm to a place we will work and live and will soon call home...
Tack so micket*
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