Scandinavia

Much of the last 2 weeks has been quick; so to fit in what we can before meeting our good friends for the next ~ 10 days ~ on the border of Germany & Switzerland.  We are driving there now and I am filled with excitement for our quiet time and explorations together.  We have just loaded up the children with Playmobile toys so that we can all settle in and stay put for a while.

Our rather quick 1 week tour of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway (Scandinavia).

Scandinavia had..

2 nights at hotels with marvelous overflowing breakfast feasts (one a birthday gift to me and the other for Elmir to work).

Lego Land was a trip highlight – the boys were so excited!  The anticipation was really the cutest for me to see (them counting down the time as we drove 6 hrs in one day to get there, then the hotel gave them each a flyer with a map included:)

The cost of everything jumped dramatically – It didn’t help that the currency is not in Euro and looks something like this : 1 coffee = 19.00 dkk, parking at Lego land = 50.00 dkk, 2 large french fries = 75 dkk ..

Scandinavia had many surprises for us..

First, there was a theme of story telling that I quite enjoyed. In Odense, Denmark we visited a live theatre production and museum on the life and work of Hans Christian Andersen (Author of the little Mermaid, Princess and the Pea, The Emperor’s new clothes, The Ugly Duckling… and an incredible artist).  In Sweden we spotted a mini Pippi Longstocking and watched the show in the native language. We also went to the Kings Pathway (where Astrid Lindgren filmed one of her movies).  In Norway we listened to local folklore and visited the home and gallery of a famous children’s storyteller and artist, Theodor Kittelsen.

Second, there was a changing scenery and energy that we had not yet experienced.  We had to pass over many bridges (some kms long) and through multiple tunnels to reach our destinations (to the point where we thought we may not see Norway at all for the tunnels in the first 1/2 hr).  From coastlines to the mountains, many scenic pleasures and a general feeling of holidaying:)  Sweden reminded us of home in terms of life, Norway in terms of terrain.  Denmark was flat to drive through.  75% of the country is used for agriculture so what you mostly see are cows and swans (I did love the shapes of homes, narrow alleyways, and the difference in fashion if we can add that into scenery..).

Third, and most importantly, were the friends we met (we let invitations lead us to determining our destinations).   **We stayed with a family of 4 in Sweden for one night.  They prepared a most perfect meal of smoked Salmon, Kale salad, rustic bread, and a creme fraiche sauce – I knew then that we could be very good friends 😉  Lego lined the backyard and made for hours of play before we settled the children in and chatted in the candlelight until the wee hours – like old friends new. **Then, we travelled to Norway to meet a man that I had been curious about since reading of him online (at www.couchsurfing.org).  My anticipation was rewarded as we pulled up to the house and saw him reading in the garden.  He welcomed us with an open heart and the children immediately felt it.  A genuine nature and thoughtful details led us to relish the sweeter things in life like slow cooked meals, walks, and crab fishing at the pier.  We ended up spending 2 nights.  We shared our time there with another passionate family of 5 from Belgium and others passing through.