I found Sweden to be a beautiful country that offers both countryside landscape and the postcard city of Stockholm.

My first experience in Sweden was provided by my beautiful host Agnetha. Due to her hospitality benefits she coordinated a trip to Sandham. With a two hour ferry ride out in the archipelago, we enjoyed the scenery of scattered islands, clean air and greens amongst the masses. It wasn't hard to imagine a Vikings decent amongst the small villages.

Speaking of Vikings, I must say there were aplenty in this land of blonde, blue eyed, wide shouldered, strong and I can only assume valiant men. If I was to play a maiden in distress, this would be the place...unfortunately with my look of disarray would hardly attract the service of such a Lord.

E-mail quote to friends...while in Sweden:

I was walking today and I saw a swedish viking...I
thought I'd go in for the kill until I saw myself in a
reflection...him, blue eyes, me shit brown, him blonde
hair, mine weak highlights and greys roots showing,
him suit and probably Kenneth Cole shoes, me dirty
pink tennis shoes with pocket men's pants on, him nice
groomed hair, me hair crazy everywhere up top with
strands hanging from the pulled up hair..him gorgeous,
me homely as ever could be....him, there, me without a
chance in hell!

Sometimes you just have to laugh.....

Regardless the green meadow amongst rolling hills and scattered red housing, barns, storage facilities and other out houses are beautiful. We`ve come to view dandelions as weeds, but as they grow wild among the plains of Sweden, it almost looks like sunshine with a back drop of horses, green grass and the red farms.

I´m staying in and old barn house that has been converted into apartments. You can´t help but notice the quietness of bein in the country and each morning when I wake up the gardens display still closed tulips ready to bloom for Spring. There is a field and farm here as well and each morning as I head towards civilization, a mother and fawn are always right along the road fence side carressing each other. It almost makes life stand still.

An hour outside of the town of Nortalje where I´m staying, you find Stockholm. What a city...it is in fact the first city since my travels have started that I feel as though I´m in Europe. The city is actually comprised of 14 islands and it´s not hard to imagine why they call it the "Venice of Scandinavia". The construction hasn´t been replaced with glass or metal and it portrays the original stone or stucco portals, doors of carved wood and the original lanterns placed here years ago.

For a major city, it has maintained the European charm and as the ice cream stalls line with Swedish customers of all ages it announcement of Spring is here.

I spent quite a bit of time in Stockholm but I also took an excursion to a small town by the name of Upsalla. A small town North of where I was staying. Upon my arrival at 8:00 am, the streets were quiet and little traffic signaled the start of a work day. I noticed there was little car noise even as 9:00 am arrived and as adults of all ages zoomed by in their rushing late to work speed...feets peddling both fast and slow it was clear to see the common choice of transportation, a bike. Hundreds were parked, everywhere...there were 10 cars at the train station and literally thousands of bike. Many new but most old with rust, no gears and baskets attached to the front. Again, I was surrounded by the sense of European charm and I loved it.

Sweden had all the attributes dedicated to Europe; narrow streets, scenic countryside, vikingly handsome men, picture postcard sites everywhere and it wasn´t hard to see why my gracious host returned to her countryland.

Welcome Home!!!!