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.