Lady Traveler in Sweden -- Part 5

Sweden in the Fall

Part 5

European Trip September 2017

May your footsteps set you upon a lifetime journey of love.
May you wake each day with His blessings and sleep each night in His keeping.
And may you always walk in His tender care.

A stroll along the canal in downtown Uppsala

This part of our trip is dedicated to everlasting friendships



Returning to Sweden is always nostalgic for me.

We lived in Sweden for a year in 1991-92

to attend an international Bible college in Uppsala.

I fell in love with the beauty of the land.

The red houses.  The yellow houses.

The castles.  The historic churches.

Most of all,

the wonderful, loving people

who still remain lifelong friends.

Lifelong friend, Dan, and his son, Josef
showing off his new boat.
Don't you know all vikings own a boat, or two?

The canal that runs through the town of Uppsala
Don't you know all Swedes own a bike, or two?

After the long, hot days in Italy and Spain,

the cool, cloudy, and even rainy days of Sweden were inviting.

(that's why I packed summer and winter clothes--all in my carry-on)

Rob and I bought a bus pass and spent a few days

traveling through the old familiar streets of Uppsala.

We stopped at favorite eateries along the way,

laughing and sharing past memories of our many trips

to Sweden over the past 20+ years.

Dan and Birgitta took to The Mall of Scandinavia

Can you believe that I trekked through this four-story mall
and did not buy one item?
That's me, the non-shopper.
My logic kicks in, telling me that I have enough clothes,
too many accumulated treasures ... blah, blah, blah.

A Sunday afternoon at a castle north of Stockholm with Dan and Birgitta. 
We ate the most delicious brunch in a beautiful converted barn.



After brunch, we enjoyed a Sunday drive to Stockholm's
Mall of Scandinavia
(Scandinavia's largest mall).
I've been to some very classy malls in 
Paris, London, Moscow, Tel Aviv, and other major cities ...
And, oh yes, not to mention Rodeo Drive in Bel Air.
But I have to say I was very impressed with the layout of this four-story mall.

Our friend Lennart drove us to a nearby village where his boat is docked.
He is a retired sea captain so of course he has a boat.
Did I mention that he was one of the captains on the MS Restoration?

We stopped for Swedish fika in a quaint little cafe.
Nothing like strong Swedish coffee on a cold autumn day.

Dinner with Lennart and his lovely wife in their beautiful home.

A few days later we drove to another little village
to have dinner with our friends,
Kristen and Helene.


  

At home with friends Kristen and Helene.
Kristen designed and built this home and garden
with the help of her talented father.

Saturday evening dinner with friends in downtown Uppsala.
Every home is cozy and elegant that says,
"Welcome"

Dinner at Barbro's flat was priceless. Hans and Maggie made the night complete.

Love and happiness

Delightful afternoon and evenings with lifelong friends.
The homes are filled with love and coziness that
makes you want to linger over another cup of strong, Swedish coffee.

Our last dinner at one of the oldest restaurants in Uppsala.  Dan's favorite.
Old, yet cozy.  
Thank you, Dan and Birgitta,
for opening your home to us ... again.



Our ten days in Sweden went by too fast.
It's always hard to say good-bye to friends.
We take home the memories,
and hope and pray for more days to come.



Cherish the friends you make along your journey.
Whether one special friend, or many,
they are God's gift to us.



Stand at the crossroads and look ...
ask where the good way is,
and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16



Next blog:
To Berlin, with Love.



Here's wishing you oceans of tRavel blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com