What a day. On the recommendation of a friend we walked about 15 minutes and found La Glasse Conditori (bakery) for breakfast. It was as good as the recommendation promised. We had some lovely things with cream filling and chocolate, fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee at a darling little table while watching all kinds of Danes coming in to order their Palm Sunday and Easter goodies. One of the chocolate marzipan Easter baskets - filled with good things of course, sold for $100 USD. Yikes - that's a lot of chocolate!
From there we caught a tour bus and toured the city in a really cool way. We saw the changing of the guard at the Palace (not quite Buckingham Palace but pretty impressive for us non royal types!), saw the Little Mermaid, the Dome Church, and tons of other things. A good tour guide who didn't do the cutesy stuff. Alleluia. Then we had lunch on one of the big squares - I tried to use a Public Toalett and couldn't figure it out and had three men trying to help me figure out how to close the door. I finally bolted and they all were so sympathetic. (Soon after I found a very nice "attended" public toalett that for 2 Krone allowed me in, allowed the door to shut, etc.!)
We have loved the big squares in this city. There are four that have become favorites. Copenhagen is a city of statues - they have more men on horses than Texas! We've had time today to just sit on the benches in the sunshine and watch the people. It is amazing to us however the amount of beers that most people have lined up with them on the park benches! With faces to the sun, there is rarely less than a 6-pack on the bench. Lots of very happy Danes here!
This afternoon we took a canal boat tour. The grand new very modern opera house seen from the water was quite spectacular. They fondly call it "The Toaster" but we thought it was just great art! Our favorite today was NyHavn - or New Harbor. WOW! Teeming with people and just one pub or restaurant after the next all lined up along the canal with the old, old, old rowhouses in bright and wonderful colors. Again each person had multiple beers or a few wines. Tons of tables peopled with Danes with their faces to the sun. Lots of exposed skin. Lots of exposed skin. Lots of exposed skin. Need I say more? :> We were exposing significantly less!
Found a restaurant near our hotel for a really good Thai meal this evening. Now back to the room to organize for going home tomorrow. It's time. We've loved this, but it's nice to want to go home!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
To Copenhagen on the fast Train
The sun keeps shining on us and we have just one more day that we really need it! We got up, breakfasted and then made our way the four blocks to the Stockholm Central Train Station. It was nuts but we figured out what to do and when and how to do it and before long were in our First Class Cabin on the fast train to Copenhagen. Fabulous. We could get used to travel like this. After the drive through Stockholm yesterday, the ease of today was pretty cool - great views, great seats, good coffee, good lunch...
Copenhage appears to be nothing like Stockholm. We think (after a few hours here) that Stockholm may be cleaner, more sophisticated and proper. Copenhagen is lusty, more teens and very young adults in punk attire, outrageous outfits on young and not so young, sexuality kind of flaunted, paople seem generally lively, lovely and fun! The Storget (pedistrian mall) is a much more "happening" place with little of the apparent class of Gamla Stan in Stockholm. We loved it -but for very different reasons than Stockholm. We walked for about two hours soaking up the sights and then had a fabulous Italian dinner on a side street just of Storget.
We're looking forward to a full day of playing in this city tomorrow as we learn her ins and outs, hidden streets and harbors and treats!
Copenhage appears to be nothing like Stockholm. We think (after a few hours here) that Stockholm may be cleaner, more sophisticated and proper. Copenhagen is lusty, more teens and very young adults in punk attire, outrageous outfits on young and not so young, sexuality kind of flaunted, paople seem generally lively, lovely and fun! The Storget (pedistrian mall) is a much more "happening" place with little of the apparent class of Gamla Stan in Stockholm. We loved it -but for very different reasons than Stockholm. We walked for about two hours soaking up the sights and then had a fabulous Italian dinner on a side street just of Storget.
We're looking forward to a full day of playing in this city tomorrow as we learn her ins and outs, hidden streets and harbors and treats!
If This is Stockholm, WHY are we driving a CAR??!
Weds - Orebro to Stockholm
We left our hotel around 9:00 and headed out onto the freeway for a quick two hour drive to Stockholm. We continue to be amazed at how beautiful it is- craggy rocks, hills, lakes, lakes, lakes. We keep seeing "Moose Crossing" signs and have yet to lay eyes on a venerable moose. I keep calling to them to no avail.
As we came close to Stockholm we stopped at a StatOil station to fill the little Polo with diesel. That was the most complicated thing we've done so far as we couldn't figure out how to open the gas tank, nor now to operate the pump/credit card. Pretty funny (hindsight).
We have promised ourselves that we WILL laugh about our escapades in the drive through Stockholm...some day. Poor Dick. I don't know how he did it, what with driving on pedestrian walks, making u-turns in the middle of crazy streets, all 1.8 million Stockholmers out either in their cars or on foot just to make it tricky for us! We had to drive through several tunnels and would come up out of the tunnel unable to read even one street sign. We drove in large and small circles on this little island for about 25 minutes and then "fell" upon our hotel - on a deadend street with construction. We fell out of the car and into the hotel, realizing that we had to unload suitcases and then drive to the car drop off spot. Lordy. We lived through it and are beginning to smile .... but not laughing yet!
We loved Stockholm! The walking in Gamla Stan (Old City) was out of this world. Feasts for the eyes wherever you turned. After shopping well we made our way to the water and sat with all the Swedes with our faces turned toward the sun and soaked up the ambiance. Saw some cruise ships, ferries, etc. Had a glass of wine at one spot outdoors. We love that all the restaurants with outdoor seating have wonderful blankets tossed on every chair - so you just wrap up in the blanket and keep sipping your wine as the breeze blows! We walked about 6 gazillion miles - and are feeling it a day later. Had dinner at a British Pub with wonderful fish and chips - time to get away from the fish and mashed potatoes, Swede style!
If we thought we saw Niece Carolyn in Orebro we also saw many Niece Karrisas all over Stockholm ... some even appropriately pregnant! How fun.
Our hotel was above the huge pedestrian mall - we had a saxaphone player just below us on the street who seranaded us until the wee small hours of the morning when we finally closed the window in desperation. Obviously we aren't in Prospect Heights anymore. :>
We do love Stockholm - would come back again anytime!
We left our hotel around 9:00 and headed out onto the freeway for a quick two hour drive to Stockholm. We continue to be amazed at how beautiful it is- craggy rocks, hills, lakes, lakes, lakes. We keep seeing "Moose Crossing" signs and have yet to lay eyes on a venerable moose. I keep calling to them to no avail.
As we came close to Stockholm we stopped at a StatOil station to fill the little Polo with diesel. That was the most complicated thing we've done so far as we couldn't figure out how to open the gas tank, nor now to operate the pump/credit card. Pretty funny (hindsight).
We have promised ourselves that we WILL laugh about our escapades in the drive through Stockholm...some day. Poor Dick. I don't know how he did it, what with driving on pedestrian walks, making u-turns in the middle of crazy streets, all 1.8 million Stockholmers out either in their cars or on foot just to make it tricky for us! We had to drive through several tunnels and would come up out of the tunnel unable to read even one street sign. We drove in large and small circles on this little island for about 25 minutes and then "fell" upon our hotel - on a deadend street with construction. We fell out of the car and into the hotel, realizing that we had to unload suitcases and then drive to the car drop off spot. Lordy. We lived through it and are beginning to smile .... but not laughing yet!
We loved Stockholm! The walking in Gamla Stan (Old City) was out of this world. Feasts for the eyes wherever you turned. After shopping well we made our way to the water and sat with all the Swedes with our faces turned toward the sun and soaked up the ambiance. Saw some cruise ships, ferries, etc. Had a glass of wine at one spot outdoors. We love that all the restaurants with outdoor seating have wonderful blankets tossed on every chair - so you just wrap up in the blanket and keep sipping your wine as the breeze blows! We walked about 6 gazillion miles - and are feeling it a day later. Had dinner at a British Pub with wonderful fish and chips - time to get away from the fish and mashed potatoes, Swede style!
If we thought we saw Niece Carolyn in Orebro we also saw many Niece Karrisas all over Stockholm ... some even appropriately pregnant! How fun.
Our hotel was above the huge pedestrian mall - we had a saxaphone player just below us on the street who seranaded us until the wee small hours of the morning when we finally closed the window in desperation. Obviously we aren't in Prospect Heights anymore. :>
We do love Stockholm - would come back again anytime!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Connecting with the Ancestors
Today was a day to connect to our past. On this date in 1891 my maternal grandfather Carl Gustaf Adolf Anderson (age 7) and his family boarded a ship from the harbor in Goteburg for their trip to the new land. So by mid morning we had directions on how to take the tram to the harbor so that I could honor that crossing and all it meant for the Anderson family. We easily found our way (the tram system is incredibly easy to use). We walked across a huge walkway that took us over the freeway and down on the other side right next to the Goteburg Opera House. There is was. The Harbor. I tried to imagine what things would have looked like 117 years ago. I tried to imagine what feelings of fear, excitement and panic they were faced with. Did my great-grandmother really want to board that ship bound for "who knew where" with three children under the age of seven? What was she leaving behind? Who was she leaving behind? Dick went about taking many pictures while I stared at the water thanking God for their safe journey and the life they made in Central Minnesota. I felt so good about being able to be here to mark that date.
Then - back by tram and into our little VW Polo and off to see more of the world. Now it was Dick's turn! We headed north/northeast to Trollhatten, where his mom's family was from. We followed the Gota Canal all the way (about two hours) of lovely scenery. Again - lots of farms, lots of birch and pine and huge rocks. We wondered why after all these years are there still rocks all over the farmlands? Hmmmmmm. It looked alot like northern MN.
Trollhatten blew us away. I had read some about it and thought it would be a good sized industrial city on a river. It was gorgeous. A huge river, a falls, locks, and lovely parks taking advantage of all the water. We drove around from sight-seeing spot to sight seeing spot with camera at the ready. After exhausting all the overlooks we parked alongside the canal in center city and had lunch of a brie and salami sandwiches on crunchy homemade bread, with Fanta and a Swedish "sweet." We wandered the streets abit and then finally bid farewell to this really pretty place.
On to Orebro - about 3 hours on good roads - again with lots of lakes and farms. All the farms are red - red houses, red barns, red out-buildings, with just a few bright yellow houses thrown in for good measure. We arrived tired in Orebro and found our hotel in the center city. Got parked and settled and then wandered a bit. Found the castle, the church, and wonderful pedestrian walkways that Europe does so well. Pizza for dinner. (Carolyn Marie, I know you are reading this and your twin was at the same restaurant as we were for dinner. We were tempted to ask if we could take her picture but decided that wasn't very cool so we didn't. Trust us though...she exists!)
Now home to read maps for tomorrow as we zoom into Stockholm. What a treat it was today to remember with gratitude those brave souls of both our families.
Then - back by tram and into our little VW Polo and off to see more of the world. Now it was Dick's turn! We headed north/northeast to Trollhatten, where his mom's family was from. We followed the Gota Canal all the way (about two hours) of lovely scenery. Again - lots of farms, lots of birch and pine and huge rocks. We wondered why after all these years are there still rocks all over the farmlands? Hmmmmmm. It looked alot like northern MN.
Trollhatten blew us away. I had read some about it and thought it would be a good sized industrial city on a river. It was gorgeous. A huge river, a falls, locks, and lovely parks taking advantage of all the water. We drove around from sight-seeing spot to sight seeing spot with camera at the ready. After exhausting all the overlooks we parked alongside the canal in center city and had lunch of a brie and salami sandwiches on crunchy homemade bread, with Fanta and a Swedish "sweet." We wandered the streets abit and then finally bid farewell to this really pretty place.
On to Orebro - about 3 hours on good roads - again with lots of lakes and farms. All the farms are red - red houses, red barns, red out-buildings, with just a few bright yellow houses thrown in for good measure. We arrived tired in Orebro and found our hotel in the center city. Got parked and settled and then wandered a bit. Found the castle, the church, and wonderful pedestrian walkways that Europe does so well. Pizza for dinner. (Carolyn Marie, I know you are reading this and your twin was at the same restaurant as we were for dinner. We were tempted to ask if we could take her picture but decided that wasn't very cool so we didn't. Trust us though...she exists!)
Now home to read maps for tomorrow as we zoom into Stockholm. What a treat it was today to remember with gratitude those brave souls of both our families.
Swedish Seaside Surprises
We left Lund in the beautiful sunshine and after effectively navigating the 'round abouts' we found ourselves zipping down the freeway at 110 kph. Okay, so that's not as fast as it sounds, but it still felt good to get moving fast into our days of playing. We marveled at how Minnesota-like it all looked. Lots of pine and birch trees, rolling hills, etc. About 20 minutes out of Lund we began seeing the sea - beautiful farms, wide open fields and sea. Trucks bore the license plates from all over Europe - Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, GB, etc. So cool!
Traveling up the west coast of Sweden about midway to Goteburg we got off the freeway and opted for tiny village and farm roads. We drove seaside through the "Swedish Riviera'. We parked and walked along the beach at one point. The tide was out and the mud flats were in but it was fun anyway. We were amazed at the tiny summer houses lined up in rows. Literally not more than 300-500 square feet and one right on top of the next. We learned that they are very expensive and you buy them, but not the land, so you continue to pay rent on the land forever.
The early spring flowers were in bloom and we stopped to oooh and aaah at crocus fields, daffodils, etc. Took pictures of old thatch-roofed farm houses and loved the ambiance of it all.
On to Goteburg by about 2:00 and found our Hotel Tidbloms on the north end of this city of 600,000. The room was fabulous - high ceilings, moldings, huge windows, wooden floors, etc. We were in the turret end of the building so our room had a large curved wall. You could have put 2 1/2 of our room in Lund in this space.
We called Ling Andersson, a friend of Joanna Ferlan (Jill's mom). She wanted to meet us and show us her port city. She gave great directions and we took the tram to the city center and met her within the hour. She took us to Haga, the old city with lots of shops, boutiques, cobblestone, cafes, etc. After walking a bit we had coffee and "Swedish sweets" at a sidewalk cafe. The sun was glorious and Dick even toasted his "upper forehead" a bit! The Swedes were all facing the sun - in any little bit of sun they could find their faces were turned upward. We decided it must have been a LONG winter!
Ling is originally from Singapore but has lived in Goteburg since she was a child. She was a gracious and fun host for the rest of the day. We walked up to the "Avenue" and shopped in Orefors shops, wonderful dept stores (NK), etc. Then she took us to dinner at SoHo, a lovely place. We had such good conversations and learned a lot about the city and her life here. (She is married to a Swede and they have two boys.) At the end of the evening, Mats, her husband came to pick us up and take us back to the hotel. Such hospitality!
We crashed on our wonderful feather beds and were asleep in seconds. Excellent day. What will tomorrow hold?
Traveling up the west coast of Sweden about midway to Goteburg we got off the freeway and opted for tiny village and farm roads. We drove seaside through the "Swedish Riviera'. We parked and walked along the beach at one point. The tide was out and the mud flats were in but it was fun anyway. We were amazed at the tiny summer houses lined up in rows. Literally not more than 300-500 square feet and one right on top of the next. We learned that they are very expensive and you buy them, but not the land, so you continue to pay rent on the land forever.
The early spring flowers were in bloom and we stopped to oooh and aaah at crocus fields, daffodils, etc. Took pictures of old thatch-roofed farm houses and loved the ambiance of it all.
On to Goteburg by about 2:00 and found our Hotel Tidbloms on the north end of this city of 600,000. The room was fabulous - high ceilings, moldings, huge windows, wooden floors, etc. We were in the turret end of the building so our room had a large curved wall. You could have put 2 1/2 of our room in Lund in this space.
We called Ling Andersson, a friend of Joanna Ferlan (Jill's mom). She wanted to meet us and show us her port city. She gave great directions and we took the tram to the city center and met her within the hour. She took us to Haga, the old city with lots of shops, boutiques, cobblestone, cafes, etc. After walking a bit we had coffee and "Swedish sweets" at a sidewalk cafe. The sun was glorious and Dick even toasted his "upper forehead" a bit! The Swedes were all facing the sun - in any little bit of sun they could find their faces were turned upward. We decided it must have been a LONG winter!
Ling is originally from Singapore but has lived in Goteburg since she was a child. She was a gracious and fun host for the rest of the day. We walked up to the "Avenue" and shopped in Orefors shops, wonderful dept stores (NK), etc. Then she took us to dinner at SoHo, a lovely place. We had such good conversations and learned a lot about the city and her life here. (She is married to a Swede and they have two boys.) At the end of the evening, Mats, her husband came to pick us up and take us back to the hotel. Such hospitality!
We crashed on our wonderful feather beds and were asleep in seconds. Excellent day. What will tomorrow hold?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Rental Cars, Maps, Adventure!
We're off to see Sweden! We had a wonderful dinner at the Grand Hotel in Lund last night - just four of us. We're figuring out the money, but when the cab fare is 140 it does cause one to gulp. Actually, we've learned that you divide by 7 and get a general USD price. Dick has just gone to get the rental car and hopefully an English explanation of road rules as we can't figure out the signs yet.
Yesterday was grand - we had a huge worship service in the Lund Cathedral - the choir was of Concordia/St. Olaf quality and so beautiful - the sound just rolled through the cathedral. It was impressive and meaningful. Then we all walked over to the university - the largest in Scandinavia for a light lunch and then to an afternoon celebrating the 60 years. It was well done with music, media, singing, choirs, etc. A little long but well worth it.
I forgot to tell the whole story of the elderly gentleman who had been at the first LWF meeting here. In 1947, he was a refugee from Hungary and somehow made his way to Lund. He was so well accepted by the LWF that he decided he would travel on to Caracus and begin work for the LWF there! After ten years in Venezuala he went to Geneva and served as the Latin America Desk Secretary for a number of years. Finally retired and then prior to the 1984 LWF Budapest in Hungary (where I was a delegate) he taught the LWF all about Hungarian culture and some language before they all went to the assembly. Now at 90 he is reveling in the memories of a life well lived and full of adventure! Such stories we hear here.
Well - check out time, load the car and head for Goteburg. Hopeing to connect with the Ferlan family friend on the phone shortly!
Yesterday was grand - we had a huge worship service in the Lund Cathedral - the choir was of Concordia/St. Olaf quality and so beautiful - the sound just rolled through the cathedral. It was impressive and meaningful. Then we all walked over to the university - the largest in Scandinavia for a light lunch and then to an afternoon celebrating the 60 years. It was well done with music, media, singing, choirs, etc. A little long but well worth it.
I forgot to tell the whole story of the elderly gentleman who had been at the first LWF meeting here. In 1947, he was a refugee from Hungary and somehow made his way to Lund. He was so well accepted by the LWF that he decided he would travel on to Caracus and begin work for the LWF there! After ten years in Venezuala he went to Geneva and served as the Latin America Desk Secretary for a number of years. Finally retired and then prior to the 1984 LWF Budapest in Hungary (where I was a delegate) he taught the LWF all about Hungarian culture and some language before they all went to the assembly. Now at 90 he is reveling in the memories of a life well lived and full of adventure! Such stories we hear here.
Well - check out time, load the car and head for Goteburg. Hopeing to connect with the Ferlan family friend on the phone shortly!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Swedish Cloudberries
It is Sunday morning in Sweden and the sun is beautiful. We had the "opportunity" to enjoy the move to daylight savings time - one more time, so last night sprung our clocks ahead one hour. We think that will be the last time for the season!
My responsibilities are over and now it is wind-down time. The anniversary celebrations go through the whole day today. We begin with a huge worship service in the Lund Cathedral (taken by buses at 10 a.m.) and then a luncheon served somewhere at the university and then events throughout the afternoon. Dinner back here at the Scandic Hotel and then to the room to pack for tomorrows departure in our rental car.
Yesterday afternoon was a major focus on "The House of Europe". The keynote address was given by President Martii Ahtisaari, former president of Finland. He now works for the UN as a special emisary in negotiating peace. His most recent work has been in Kosova and his report will be delivered to the UN Security Council tomorrow morning for action. He is not hopeful for Kosovo. He has also worked with independence movements across Africa and brokered peace in a number of incredible places. His stories were quite incredible. After his speech we had 8 respondants - most of them also quite incredible. The learnings were over the top.
At the end of the afternoon we recognized five elderly people who had been part of the first meeting of the LWF here in Lund. To hear their stories was great. Most of them in their late 80s or 90s.
Much of our time has been spent eating as you know! Last night the Church of Sweden hosted a banquet. Following is the menu which was printed on small cards at each place:
Cognac- and rose pepper cured salmon with caviar dressing;
Baked pheasant breast served with cream boiled apples, pheasant gravy and potato tureen;
Swedish cloudberries with home-made vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and Swedish pyramid cake;
Coffee and Petit four
Wines: Casillero del Diablot Sauvignon Blan - 2003, Concha y Toro, Chile
Casillero del Diablo merlot - 2005, Concha y Toro, Chile
Yes it has been difficult dining as you can tell.
We rent our car in the morning - we learned last night that the car rental agency is 500 metres from the front door of the hotel - so then we are off to explore!
My responsibilities are over and now it is wind-down time. The anniversary celebrations go through the whole day today. We begin with a huge worship service in the Lund Cathedral (taken by buses at 10 a.m.) and then a luncheon served somewhere at the university and then events throughout the afternoon. Dinner back here at the Scandic Hotel and then to the room to pack for tomorrows departure in our rental car.
Yesterday afternoon was a major focus on "The House of Europe". The keynote address was given by President Martii Ahtisaari, former president of Finland. He now works for the UN as a special emisary in negotiating peace. His most recent work has been in Kosova and his report will be delivered to the UN Security Council tomorrow morning for action. He is not hopeful for Kosovo. He has also worked with independence movements across Africa and brokered peace in a number of incredible places. His stories were quite incredible. After his speech we had 8 respondants - most of them also quite incredible. The learnings were over the top.
At the end of the afternoon we recognized five elderly people who had been part of the first meeting of the LWF here in Lund. To hear their stories was great. Most of them in their late 80s or 90s.
Much of our time has been spent eating as you know! Last night the Church of Sweden hosted a banquet. Following is the menu which was printed on small cards at each place:
Cognac- and rose pepper cured salmon with caviar dressing;
Baked pheasant breast served with cream boiled apples, pheasant gravy and potato tureen;
Swedish cloudberries with home-made vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and Swedish pyramid cake;
Coffee and Petit four
Wines: Casillero del Diablot Sauvignon Blan - 2003, Concha y Toro, Chile
Casillero del Diablo merlot - 2005, Concha y Toro, Chile
Yes it has been difficult dining as you can tell.
We rent our car in the morning - we learned last night that the car rental agency is 500 metres from the front door of the hotel - so then we are off to explore!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Salmon, Shrimp, Perch, Caviar, Potatoes, Potatoes, Potatoes
We are being fed well and the fish in Sweden is wonderful! We are also quite partial to the potatoes - mashed, boiled, pureed, scalloped...every meal. The wine is flowing and the conversations are rich. We have had "official" dinners every evening with lovely presentations and many toasts.
It is amazing at an event like this to see and feel the rich texture of language, color, dress (some coveted and some not!). What a privilege. We are spending the days with our headsets dialed to English unless we want to take a brief vacation and listen to French for awhile. The setting for the meeting is a large, theater-type auditorium with plush, comfortable seating, wonderful technology, etc.
On Wednesday we had opportunity to worship in the 1000 year old Lund Cathedral - quite moving, although we found the Swedish music to be on the dark side... as in "Lentish"? We will return there on Sunday afternoon for the major celebrations of the 60th anniversary.
The location of the hotel in the outskirts of this small city does not allow for much wandering about - although the time for wandering about would be limited to before 6:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. There is a lovely bar that serves fine California wine! Who knew those Swedes were so smart? Our exploring time will begin on Monday with our rental car.
Best conversations: Hedwig a bright,young woman pastor from Austria who is 50% highschool religion teacher and 50% pastor of a small suburban congregation; Esther Musah, a teacher from Liberia, who, after the long civil war is literally rebuilding a school - she just finished making 500 new mud bricks for the foundation of building #2; Doris Kitutu from Tanzania; and a businessman from Addis Ababa. A Swedish friend, Kristin Collander helped us get our train tickets for next Thursday from Stockholm to Copenhagen. It's the people that make this an incredible experience and also an exasperating one.
Last night we had a message on our phone that when we picked it up was totally in Swedish. We called the front desk and they just laughed and told us to delete it. Hope it wasn't terribly important!
Our Swedish is not improving - that may change when we leave this cocoon of Lutheranism and head out into the real world of Sweden and find we can't follow road signs, don't know what we are ordering for meals, etc.!
Time for coffee break - oh that means open-faced sandwiches, chocolate muffins, strong coffee and lots of sugar and cream! Tak!
It is amazing at an event like this to see and feel the rich texture of language, color, dress (some coveted and some not!). What a privilege. We are spending the days with our headsets dialed to English unless we want to take a brief vacation and listen to French for awhile. The setting for the meeting is a large, theater-type auditorium with plush, comfortable seating, wonderful technology, etc.
On Wednesday we had opportunity to worship in the 1000 year old Lund Cathedral - quite moving, although we found the Swedish music to be on the dark side... as in "Lentish"? We will return there on Sunday afternoon for the major celebrations of the 60th anniversary.
The location of the hotel in the outskirts of this small city does not allow for much wandering about - although the time for wandering about would be limited to before 6:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. There is a lovely bar that serves fine California wine! Who knew those Swedes were so smart? Our exploring time will begin on Monday with our rental car.
Best conversations: Hedwig a bright,young woman pastor from Austria who is 50% highschool religion teacher and 50% pastor of a small suburban congregation; Esther Musah, a teacher from Liberia, who, after the long civil war is literally rebuilding a school - she just finished making 500 new mud bricks for the foundation of building #2; Doris Kitutu from Tanzania; and a businessman from Addis Ababa. A Swedish friend, Kristin Collander helped us get our train tickets for next Thursday from Stockholm to Copenhagen. It's the people that make this an incredible experience and also an exasperating one.
Last night we had a message on our phone that when we picked it up was totally in Swedish. We called the front desk and they just laughed and told us to delete it. Hope it wasn't terribly important!
Our Swedish is not improving - that may change when we leave this cocoon of Lutheranism and head out into the real world of Sweden and find we can't follow road signs, don't know what we are ordering for meals, etc.!
Time for coffee break - oh that means open-faced sandwiches, chocolate muffins, strong coffee and lots of sugar and cream! Tak!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
If it is Tuesday, this must be Sweden
The trip over on SAS was lovely. Nice plane and new features that included cameras mounted so that you see what the pilots are seeings either straight ahead or down. Very cool. Lots of movies, etc. Not much sleep and leaving at 11p makes for a long night.
The arrival in Copenhagen was easy and we were greeted by youth with big signs welcoming the LWF in the baggage area. Got our bags and then tickets for the train to Lund. We had no clue what we were doing but we were having a great time! The town is very neat + cobblestone streets, university setting. Unfortunately the hotel is out in the burbs near the car dealerships. No place to walk and take in the ambiance. Too bad.
Last night it was like a family reunion with all the hellos and hugs. Nice dinner with ample wine, etc. Everything is expensive. A glass of wine at the bar is 10.00. As is a glass of beer. (I didn't have both).
The sun is shining and it is cold. Meetings begin at noon. There is wireless accessibility here so that makes life easier.
Havenät learned any Swedish yet + other than "tak" and I knew that before I came!
Happy Tuesday to all and Dick , if you read this please bring a washcloth for Rafael also!!''
The arrival in Copenhagen was easy and we were greeted by youth with big signs welcoming the LWF in the baggage area. Got our bags and then tickets for the train to Lund. We had no clue what we were doing but we were having a great time! The town is very neat + cobblestone streets, university setting. Unfortunately the hotel is out in the burbs near the car dealerships. No place to walk and take in the ambiance. Too bad.
Last night it was like a family reunion with all the hellos and hugs. Nice dinner with ample wine, etc. Everything is expensive. A glass of wine at the bar is 10.00. As is a glass of beer. (I didn't have both).
The sun is shining and it is cold. Meetings begin at noon. There is wireless accessibility here so that makes life easier.
Havenät learned any Swedish yet + other than "tak" and I knew that before I came!
Happy Tuesday to all and Dick , if you read this please bring a washcloth for Rafael also!!''
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Kathy is off to Sweden!
I seem to travel in March! I'm off to Sweden tonight on SAS 944 at 11p. Twill be a late night! I'm headed for Lund, Sweden and the LWF Council Meeting. I fly direct to Copenhagen and then take a train over the bridge to Sweden. Lund is in the SW corner of Sweden. The meetings begin on Tuesday morning.
This is an especially important council meeting as the LWF is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Normally a council meeting is about 150 people. They are estimating 600 for this one - it will include the heads of all the 140 churches, along with lots of other dignitaries, guests, etc.
Dick will join me on Wednesday as an official observer. When the anniversary celebrations conclude on Sunday, Mar 25 we will leave for a little Sweden and Denmark exploring. I'll try to blog as is possible!
Tak!
Kathy Jo
This is an especially important council meeting as the LWF is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Normally a council meeting is about 150 people. They are estimating 600 for this one - it will include the heads of all the 140 churches, along with lots of other dignitaries, guests, etc.
Dick will join me on Wednesday as an official observer. When the anniversary celebrations conclude on Sunday, Mar 25 we will leave for a little Sweden and Denmark exploring. I'll try to blog as is possible!
Tak!
Kathy Jo
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