sunny day

Beautiful sunny day. What I thought was a random marching band turned out to be the changing of the guards which happens everyday around noon. Also heard (and saw) the canons that were fired in honor of Crown Princess Victoria's 30th birthday which is today.

day trip

Took a day trip to visit one of Anna's classmates who comes to Sweden every other year with his family to see his grandfather. Hopped on a train at Central Station and went to Läggesta (about a 40 minute ride) where we met up with our Berkeley friends. Visited the Gripsholm medieval castle in Mariefred. Then they took us to their house. They are staying in an old vicar's house at the Åker church. Kids got to pick berries, ride a bike around the church and even took a dip in the waters of the archipeligo. It was a welcome change of scenery to get out into the Swedish countryside after two weeks of urban living.

grocery shopping

There are several grocery stores within just a couple blocks of our building. We seem to go to the store on an 'as needed' basis which is just about everyday. Here are some observations we have made about the stores:

• some of the handcarts have wheels on them
• eggs are sold in cartons of ten
• they sell a salad dressing called 'Rhode Island dressing' (not to be confused with Thousand Island dressing which they also sell)
  
• the wide variety of crisp breads and flat breads take up about half an aisle
• two words: Turkish yogurt (yum! tastes like whipped cream and probably has just as much fat)
• you have to pay for your shopping bags so it pays to bring your own
• produce comes from places like South Africa, Egypt and Belgium

stockholm city bikes

Throughout Stockholm there are stands where someone who has registered with Stockholm City Bikes can borrow a bike. Just swipe your card and take a bike, ride it to your destination (where there will be another bike stand) and then drop your bike off. When it's time for you return trip, pick up another bike and do the same thing over again. Keith tried it yesterday. Some of the major city streets have bike lanes and many locals seem to bike either with their own bikes or with a Stockholm City Bike.