Day 1 (July 24) Stockholm

Stockholm is dotted with parks and small public areas like this one. We were told that the first warm weather of the year occurred just a few days ago, and what they are experiencing now is unusually warm. Us Pacific North Westerners find it a little too warm and humid. The Swedish girls are definitely working on their tan the best they can.

A beautiful theater near the water front. Shortly after this picture was taken, our summer day was interrupted by a torrential down pour. The theater provided shelter from the deluge for us and large number of others who had been enjoying a wonderful day.

Being late to escape the deluge, we were treated to a round of applause as we found refuge in that theater.

What else but a traditional Swedish dinner to start our formal trip: First course (above) of two kinds of pickled herring, cheese and potatoes followed by the second course of Swedish meatballs. I enjoyed the herring to the left; not sure about those on the right. Vera, of course, loved both. The meatballs were wonderful. They are served with mashed potatoes, pickled cucumbers, and lingonberries. The correct way to eat this is to combine all four items in your mouth at once for a great experience.

By the way, the restaurant is a tavern in Stieg Larsen's novel "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo". It is called Restaurang Aktiebolaget Kvarnen, and was also used in the filming of the Swedish movie by the same name (not the American version).

"Swedish Red" stain. The pigment source comes from an iron and copper mine unique to Sweden. There is only about 80 years of supply left, and it is banned from export.

Sunset over Stockholm.

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