Today was jammed packed full of things!! Drew has been traveling with a lacrosse buddy for the past 80 days. We met up with Nate for one night in Copenhagen and today he is going to join us for the remainder of our visit to Stockholm and Norway!! We are excited to see him and I know Drew will enjoy the diversion from his parents!!
We started the day by taking the Metro to the Vasa. This Swedish ship sunk during its maiden voyage in 1633 and remained under water over 300 years before being rescued. I remember visiting the Vasa when I was in Stockholm in 1973 and it was jaw dropping. Well, it still is!! We had a wonderful morning exploring and learning the history and purpose of the Vasa, and all of nooks and crannies. We also had lunch at the Vasa. Drew had swedish meatballs for the 3rd meal in a row....he definitely is a Scandinavian!! We also had tikka (coffee and cinnamon roll). Lisa loves that!!
After lunch we met Nate, who came in by train at the Harbor where we jumped on a boat for a three hour ride to the Archipelago islands. I couldn't believe we were in Sweden. It looks just like Minnesota on the north shore, or even Minnetonka for that matter. Lots of islands and beautiful houses lined the waterways!! Minnesota and Sweden are very similar! Sweden is made up of 1/3 forests, 1/3 water and 1/3 land. Well, that sounds pretty darn close to Minnesota!!
Our evening plans were to meet up with my Finnish cousin Tuija who married Ulf and lives in Stockholm. I have met Tuija two other times in my life, 1973 and 1979. Tuija and I are third cousins, our great grandparents (Johan Rajala and Josefina Rajala Veijola) were brother and sister. It was so exciting to hook up with her again!! Her husband Ulf, a professor at the University, fetched us from the apartment and took us to their home for dinner. It was the best lasagna we have ever had!! The evening went fast as Tuija and I talked and laughed about our prior meetings and then analyzed family genealogy!! It was the best evening ever!! Tuija is amazing! Probably the sweetest and kindest person I have ever met and will always in be in my heart!! He two daughters, now Drew's fourth cousins, Vilma and Greta, have a connection!! We had such a good time!! Thank you Tuija!! and Ulf!!!
Tuija has a sister, brother and mother in Finland, however, we will not be able to hook up with them this trip. But, I promise Soile, Heiki and Tuullikki that I will come back!!
I love Sweden!!
No comments:
Post a Comment