Sorry for being out of touch. We worked and worked through the winter and now with summer sun, we are making the most of being in Sweden, and in Europe. Like the traveling gnome, we are making the rounds.
In June we went to Copenhagen for nearly a week. I was there for a work conference, and we added some days to explore the city. We figured that we would like it when this photo was the first that we took - It’s as if someone knew we were on our way. The city was beautiful, but unfortunately it rained for most of our time there.
Later in the month the Fri(e)dmans came for a visit (i.e. my parents and sister). We checked out a number of great restaurants, walked through the city a bunch, took a ferry around to explore the archipelago, and then took off for St. Petersburg. We caught up with some old family friends who live in Moscow, I met some relatives for the first time, and Dave ate some bear. It was bizarre to be in a place where I could see where my various traits came from, to understand the language around me, and finally see this place after thinking about it for a long time. It was a beautiful city in a lot of ways, but also a very sad place.
Perhaps Jess or Dave can add some comments about how they felt there, but there was something very somber that weighed on us while we were out. There were beautiful buildings, covered in filth. Most streets were sprinkled with limbless veterans panhandling or drunks passed out. There was extreme wealth and ostentatious behavior. I didn’t really see much in the way of joy, or even a simple smile. But, this isn’t to say that we had a bad time. Get my kooky family together, pretty much anywhere, and a good time will be had.
My family left not long after we returned from Russia, and it was back to work for the Stockholmies. Work has been great – crazy busy, extensive data cleaning, and some frustration…but the big stuff is around the corner and it’s exciting. And, since we are in Europe and not here for a very long time, we made plans for a little more exploration.
And so, a weekend in Amsterdam catching up with some friends who flew in from London. The trip was great and short, a beautiful city well worth a visit. Neither Dave nor I had been there and we were shocked by how beautiful it was…and by the number of bicycles. Exhibits A and B follow.
For photos of all the adventures, check out the flickr links on the right.
Next up: another week of work and then the Simards hit Stockholm, and then we all hit the Archipelago.
Hey. Great blog, a like mind, for I have also come to Sweden, "down south", and have a blog at www.leeharris.org.uk/blog
I am about a month behind as I stupidly kept my diary as notes written down and am now trying to blogify them in retrospect and adding photos. I also have loads of great signs, I hope you have not taken them already,we shall see!! Also fun to see that you´ve come across many of the exact same feelings and quirks I´ve seen. Ha det bra! /Lee
Posted by: Lee Harris | July 31, 2009 at 05:25 AM