Sweden 2010 Part 2

It remained pretty chilly while I was there (2-10 degrees F) and I'm always struck how much the trees look like they are out of a fairytale.

Besides playing duets 

and hanging out

we went shopping and visiting.  I was a little put out when my Amex card was declined at the grocery store (where I have used it for the last three years with no problem).  Same thing happened with my Chase Visa.  Thankfully  Tompkins Trust came through - they took my debit card with no problem.

     Debra and Nils look great and have become quite the cooks.  I certainly ate more healthily there than I do at home. She also showed me some of the art she has been doing and we hung up a new ( at least to me) painting which I also forgot to take a picture of.

    One night we all went out to a restaurant for dinner.  It was fun to catch up with Soren and somewhat new to see Debra order fish!  Then it was back to Ami's where I forced everyone to watch our Alaska video.
    Another sign that 'The Times They Are A-Changin'  was brought home when I went into the bank the next morning to convert a couple of old AMEX traveler's checks into SEK.  The teller's first comment was: "this is unusual."  When someone came over to help, they couldn't even find an option in the bank software to process it. .

  This year's new Swedish word was "fika" - visiting for afternoon  coffee.  One day we went over to Andreas and Linda's for fika where I was introduced to (and enjoyed) white chocolate saffron fudge and saffron coffee cake.  Another day Anna came over to Nil's and Debra's with a "tigermatte" (toy tiger rug).  As with most toy's, the box was the real hit.

 As was Anna's new hat - Debra has become quite the knitter!





My trip home was mostly as expected except for the heightened level of security.  Had to empty my suitcase twice along with the joys of private interview and body search in CPH and of course, everyone enjoys running the gauntlet of security in Newark.  In Tully, there is a lot less snow than when I left and we're looking at 40 degrees today.






It was a great visit, but I'm glad to be home and tucked in with Melanie for the New Year.  Best wishes to everyone for 2011!

Sweden - Dec. 2010

I left the US just ahead of the storms that closed the East Coast and the trip was quite easy and pleasant.  Arrived around 7:00 am in Copenhagen and it was pitch black.  The car rental place was supposed to be open at 7, but apparently that doesn't include the week after Xmas.  When I finally did get someone an hour later, they couldn't find my car.  It went on like this till decided to issue me a new car.  Quite a line a built up by this time.  I asked to confirm that the car had winter tires.
I was told no.
I said (and forgive me as I can't find the quotation marks on this keyboard) I need winter tires to drive in Sweden!
I was told Yes
Then I'd like them
No, you  can't
Well, then, what should I do?
Rent the car.

I wouldn't have thought twice about it except Sweden was covered in snow - to the extent that the trains were all backed up and the highways looked pretty snowy.

I thought twice and rented the car.  Cute little Nissan, about the size of our paddleboat.  Fortunately on the day after Xmas hardly anyone was on the road and I had no real problems getting to Smålandsstenar.

It has been great to see everyone and catch up. 

Debra and Nils have rerranged the apartment and it looks great.  We got to play some duets, do some shopping and just hang.  Its been pretty cold and they have a lot more snow than is normal for this time of year.   
One of the great stories has been how the Swedish Transport Administration has turned to antique rolling stock to get things back to normal.  Apparently the newer trains bought from places like France and Italy can't handle the cold and the wheels freeze up. Also they have no cowcatcher and can't deal with anything on the tracks. So they've pulled stuff out of the museum to clear certain tracks.


 











Tuesday, Ami lent us her car (I mean my tires weren't even all season) and we took a trip to Jonkoping where we visited the Match Museum.

Who would have thought the matches were a major economic factor in the 19th century - and that the profits were enough to help rebuild governments after wars.  Small museum but well worth the visit just to see the ingenious machinery.

Night Before the defense

This past weekend, Melanie was off to Boston to Kvel over Zack's Doctoral Defense.

After posing for pictures, nutritional supplements were ordered:

Purhaps a bit too ambitious

Congratulations Dr. Blumkin