Stockholm II

Celebrating Valborg at Skansen!

Not the best picture, but it works :o)

Anja, Me, Antje, Keilin

Goodbye city!

I couldn't get enough of this scene...

On the skärgård

Old Town

Anja got a Nikon when she was home in Germany! We have too much fun with them :o)

The group!

The birthday girl! Happy 21st Anja!

Look any different from last time?

Ah, Stockholm

Haha, I am really catching up! Aren't you guys lucky! 3 posts in one day! So...my final post for today is about my trip last weekend to Stockholm! On Thursday, it was my friend Anja's birthday, and she invited a few friends to go with her to Stockholm for the weekend. We had a wonderful time!

Not only was April 30 Anja's birthday, but it was also a holiday in Sweden. It is called Valborg, and is basically a celebration of the coming of Spring. I know you are all probably thinking there have been quite a few holidays within the past couple of months which have been dedicated to celebrating the coming of Spring, but I must say, I completely understand why! It is definitely something to be celebrated!

On Valborg, everyone gets together in big groups, lights huge bonfires, and stands and sings around the fire. Since we arrived in Stockholm on Thursday afternoon, we were able to make our way to Skansen (a big outdoor museum in Stockholm), where a celebration was taking place. There were hundreds of people standing around a huge bonfire, and a man was playing some traditional Swedish music in the background. It was a perfect day to celebrate Spring because the weather was clear, the temperature was warm, and the was a definite "springy-ness" in the air! We stuck around until about 11 when they put the fire out, and then headed back to our hostel.

On Friday, we decided to check out an archipelago in Stockholm! So, we found a ferry that took us to one about an hour away. Again, the weather was beautiful, and we enjoyed just sitting out on the boat and letting the sun beat down on our faces. The archipelago we went to this time was slightly larger than the one in Göteborg, with a few shops and many houses. We wandered around, and found a little harbor that provided just about the most Swedish looking scene I have seen yet. Actually, I think I can safely say is WAS the most Swedish looking scene I have seen yet. We spent about 45 minutes or so just gawking (ok, maybe not gawking), but enjoying the surroundings before heading back. It was a full day adventure.

Saturday was spent meandering through Old Town. It was really fun to walk through the streets, admire the buildings, and take pictures without worrying that our fingers would freeze to our cameras! We all were commenting on how much livelier the city is now that the weather is warmer. When we went in February, there was not a soul out past 4:30 in the afternoon. Now, people are out until well past 10, especially since the sun stays up that long! Later in the afternoon, we headed back to our hostel, grabbed our things, and headed back to Karlstad again. I think we all really enjoyed our trip, and it was such a fun way to help Anja celebrate her birthday!

Now, in less than 3 days, my family is coming!!! I am so excited to see them, and spend some time visiting different areas in Sweden and Norway! I will be posting more soon!!

As always, thanks for reading! Five weeks from today I will be headed home, and I can tell you more in person :o) I still appreciate all of your support more than you know. Tack så mycket!

Until next time,

Lauren