CanineGranny goes to Sweden

The trip to Sweden so far has been super. Thanks in large part to our hostess Annica, we've gone everywhere and done everything. The weather has been clear and mostly warm, with a bit of rain for a day or so. I feel badly for the smoke filled 110 degree heat sufferers in Sacramento. Really I do. The dog shows in Stockholm were super, we got to see 100s of papillons from all over the world. I toured around at the World show and had a chance to see the Obedience Championships, Freestyle (dancing with your dog) and lots of breeds I had not seen before. Much fun. Touring the old town Stockholm is amazing...clear Baltic sea water everywhere surrounding the islands on which the city is built, lots of stone buildings that date from centuries ago. Guess the Swedes were busy being a world power when Columbus discovered America! We went to the Vasa Museum, which houses a HUGE wooden ship, launched in 1628. Unfortunately, it sank like a stone out in the Bay on its maiden voyage...too topheavy and too many low lying open gunports. But, the good news is that after 333 years, it was raised by the Swedes and a multi-year archiolgical project restored it. It was amazing. A real picture into life in Sweden centuries ago. Next was Skansen, a very nice park where they have moved a hundred or so buildings from all over the country and recreated 'Old Stockholm'. They also have an animal park with Nordic animals, so I got to see bears, foxes, reindeer, seals, etc up close. Very nice. Then we were off on a road trip to Lake Siljan, sort of a Tahoe setting. It was created by a meteor long ago, and is very blue and beautiful. We toured the area, Darlana, and went to a concert in Darhalla. Darhalla is a concert hall that has been built at the bottom of a limestone quarry. There is a lake at the bottom, and they have a state of the art concert venue built which holds 5000 people. We saw Robert Wells, who is a concert pianist who went to the rock and roll world to make his fortune. Sort of a Philharmonic meets Manheim Steamroller effect. Very entertaining, and the sellout crowd was INTO it. The best part was the comedian who (of course) spoke Swedish. Apparently, he was a laugh riot....it was fun watching his gestures, facial expressions and trying to guess what was going on. I know one bit was about his grabbing a hot cup of coffee at Waynes (sort of Starbucks) and being conflicted about screaming and dropping it or holding on to it so as to impress the young gals who were watching. Visited St. Olof's church. Amazing. Filled with medieval artifacts and painting, lovely arched ceilings. Of course, I couldn't help but think of Rose from Golden Girls and what all happened to her in St. Olofs... We drove out to visit some friends of Annica's who have a lovely papillon kennel. Sílenzio has been breeding for 35 years+ and has some beautiful dogs. She was very gracious and charming to us, and I had to try hard to keep repeating my 'no more dogs' mantra. Now we're getting set to head out to take the train to Norway, without Annica's guiding hand. Should be fun. A week in Norway, 2 days in Copenhagen, then I go alone to Finland, and return to Stockholm. I'll try to keep you posted as I go. (Sorry for no pictures...I can't figure out how to post them, but will when I get back to Sac in late July. Meanwhile, go look online!)