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In the three days I've been in Stockholm I've mostly been spending time with relatives. These relatives are related via my grandfather, who I think grew up in or near Stockholm.
The city has an older flavor than most of the cities I've been so far, with narrow streets and coblestone ways. Of course, that's only the "Old Town". There are also plenty of modern things to do and see here, since this is the cultureal capitol of the world this year. As my hosts are very into Jazz, I hope to perswade them into taking me to a Jazz bar or some such. But, I might not have time to do that. I leave tomorrow night for the Visby, on the island of Gotland. I hear that the whole city is having a medevil festival right now, and this Sunday there is some sort of parade...Sounds fun! And, I have some relatives living there, so I can stay with them!
So, what have I been doing, you ask? Well, I'm afraid I don't have time to go into detail, so I'll just sum up. Yesterday my mother, myself, and my mother's cousin (from Oslo) went first to the Vasa Museum, which is all about a ship built in the 1600's. This ship was to be the largest ship in all of Europe, perhaps all the world. Unfortunately, no on e botherred to tell the king, who commisioned it, that it wasn't seaworthy. On its maiden voyage, before even getting out of the harbor, it rolled over and sank. A tragedy for them, but great for us, as it was quite well preserved.
After Vasa, we went over to Skansa, which was the first open air museum in the world. They have buildings from all over Sweden, dating from the 15th through the 18th cantury, I believe. We looked around a medevil manor, and got to see how people lived back then. After that, it was out to dinner with about ten relatives, only a few I had ever met, and I was only about two when we met the last time. But I liked all of them, they are a very fun group. I hope to keep in touch with them for many years.
Today we went to the oldest cathedral in Stockholm. It was much smaller than the cathedrals I have seen before, but I believe it was also built a few ceturies earlier.
Now I'm off to have dinner with yet more relatives.
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