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Where I Went or I Heart Swedish Boys

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Okay, so I've been back for a long time.  But it happened again...time was sucked down some vortex and I didn't tell you about my trip to Sweden.  

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I must say, Stockholm was never on my list of "places I want to go before I die".  However, I am lucky enough that my husband took me along as he was going for business.  So...in this not-so-short blog I will try give you a taste of Stockholm through pictures of a few places and a lot of food...and I assure you that you should consider adding it to your list!

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Do you see this pigeon...at the airport.  I wondered where he was going, why he couldn't get there on his own accord and why (oh why) would he choose to fly out of Newark?  

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We arrived in Stockholm in the early morning...having not slept since the day before the bed at the Nordic Light Hotel looked very inviting.  But they tell me that one of the cardinal rules of international travel is NOT to sleep when you get there.  So we went out on the search for breakfast...

 

 

 

 

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Found it!  One of my new favorites.  A delightful pastry rather resembling a sweet pretzel and filled with a delicious custard.  They sell these everywhere...even at the 7/11's that seem to be on every block.  Really...they are.

 

 

 

 

After breakfast a little sightseeing at the outdoor market a few blocks away...

 

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It was mushroom season...more on this later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Then we headed into Gamla Stan, or the old town.  This part of Stockholm dates back to the 13th century.  I think thats hard to even understand.  I spent most summers of my childhood at Colonial Williamsburg marveling at reproductions of 200 year old buildings.  Gamla Stan is a maze of cobblestone streets and alleys that are 600 years old!  I know it's the most "touristy" part...but I loved it in there.  

 

 

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On to dinner and drinks in Gamla Stan...

Drinks at Mr. Kannoli's favorite place...and a new favorite Scotch.  Go get yourself some Craggenmore!

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DSC_0050and dinner?  

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still a bit jet lagged, I went light.  A potato cake with roasted root vegetables and hollandaise sauce.  Very yummy.  I could eat that right now.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next morning...off to the Vasamuseet.  This fascinating museum has a real life viking ship, and I have to say...I love this story.  Once upon a time,  during the war of (something or other), the Swedish king commissioned a war ship.  Not being the most patient man, he kept "hurrying along" the builders.  He had to get that big boat out there...right?  So three years later this giant war ship is finally ready to go.  The whole city of Stockholm was given the equivalent of a "day off".  They gathered at the shore to watch the maiden voyage.  Bet you can guess what happened....

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yep...20 minutes later it sunk!  Right to the bottom, and stayed there until 1961.  The briny water kept it (and the skeletons) perfectly preserved.  I have to admit...all I could think of was The Goonies.  Granted, it's my favorite movie, but I kept looking for Sloth sliding down a pole.

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Off to Lunch at the Grand Hotel.  I can very honestly say that this is in my top 3 meals of all time!  Beautiful place and absolutelydelicious food.  The Kraut will tell you that I often "rant" about my dislike of salmon.  I love the Barenaked Ladies song I Don't Like which is about wanting to like Salmon, but not...

Let me say, in Sweden...salmon is different.  I Love it....a lot!  I had salted salmon at the Grand Hotel which is essentially raw, fresh salmon pressed in salt and dill.  It's like butter, really...

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Then a walk around the water front and a boat ride tour...Mr. Kannoli fell asleep...

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Hi Swedish Puppy...on a boat...

 

 

Dinner that night?  Back to Gamla Stan where I had...wait for it...

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Reindeer!  Sorry Santa...it was yummy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next day off to the tiny town of Avesta where the Steel Mill had set up a tour of their tiny town for the "wives" (Hi Janie), while the men went to work.  So our tour guide was Nicolas Lindstrom's High School Teacher.  Yep!  Really!  He took us to the Bison farm and the old ironworks.  They are so proud of their town and it is apparent in how they care for the town, the heritage and each other...

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 Random fact: the reason you see so many red houses in Sweden is because of the high concentration of copper that is mined there.  The process of refining it causes a by-product that is turned into this red "stain"...in case you are ever on Jeopardy...now you know.

 

 

 

 

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Lesson #2: European Bison were almost extinct after WW2.  They had to eat something...But now most of the EU participates in a pretty extensive breeding program to get the population back.  This is one of the Bulls in Avesta.  I was slightly worried about the lack of a sturdier block between him and me...

 

 

 

 

That night, the steel mill (where my husband was working) treated us to a real Swedish Smorgasbord!  In what will forever be my dream home.  A wonderful Swedish business woman bought and completely renovated (back to its original beauty) a old farm house on a beautiful lake in the countryside. We had...

Traditional Herring and salmon prepared pickled, creamed and salted...

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Roast (wait for it)...moose!
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And an incredible mushroom dish prepared from these mushrooms that she picked that day...in her yard!
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A good time was had by all.  As I had been forewarned to avoid the Aquavit (tiny little bottles of snaps in big bowls around the table) I was safe, but there was still much singing (they really do sing during dinner)...

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A trip to the Ice bar is a must in Stockholm.  It's a bar entirely made of ice.  The bar, seats, glasses...everything.  And you get to wear the cutest parkas for the 10 minutes that you can stand to be in there...

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So I bet your wondering why "I Heart Swedish Boys".  The one thing I regret not buying is a t-shirt that said that.  They were in every touristy shop I saw.  And there is good reason for it.  I know Mr. Kannoli is sick of hearing it...but...Swedish people are beautiful.  They really are.  I commented on it about every 5 minutes.  

But...I heart Mr. Kannoli the most...thanks for taking me across the ocean.  I loved it.

Add Stockholm to your list of places to go, really...you will heart it too.

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