Sweden in Two Days!

   After just returning from a trip to Scandinavia plus a brief excursion to Tallinn, Estonia, we can now say “Oh yes, we’ve been there,” but our knowledge of the area is still very scanty. Al chose that particular tour for the reason that it advertised traveling through Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland by bus, ferry and train. He wanted to see the rugged coastline and fjords as well as the countryside. All in sixteen days!

   Our first glimpse of Stockholm, Sweden was from the window of the bus as we were being transported from the airport to our hotel. With the long flight and time change too, the idea of going straight to bed was very appealing; however that was delayed until after an introductory dinner with our guide Andrei and the people who would be taking the same tour.

   Morning came around too soon according to mixed up body clocks. After a lavish buffet breakfast, we were met by a local guide and shown many famous parts of the city, including a walk through a section of the old town, the palace and Stockholm’s beautiful city hall, where all of the Nobel Prizes, except for the Nobel Peace Prize, are awarded each year.

   While walking on cobblestone streets in a neighborhood dating back to the late 1400’s, the local guide pointed out a ceramic tile with a bird in the midst of flames over one doorway. “What do you think that represents?” she asked. After we made some wild guesses, she revealed the meaning of the symbol—a phoenix rising out of ashes. When people bought fire insurance, they would put the tile above their doors. The local ‘fire department” would only put out fires in those houses!

   Then as we walked by a very old church, she noted that “the Swedish are the least religious of all people. They will go to church to sing in the choir or to attend a funeral or wedding, but they seldom attend regularly.” However, while our group was walking through the old town square, we stopped in front of a bakery still in use today. Several round, flat loaves of bread each with a hole in the middle were hanging from a rope stretched across the window, traditional Swedish bread.

   A small sign in the second story window of the bakery announced “Cinnabon Church.” Evidently a small congregation meets above the bakery. Along with Sunday morning service, a free cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun are offered to those in need. The church is still alive!

   The Stockholm sight-seeing tour took place until early afternoon. There was a short break, then Al and I went with a smaller group of people to a historical open air museum to experience the midsummer celebration, important in the lives of Swedish families. We happened to arrive at the beginning of a lively folk dancing performance by six couples dressed in bright costumes.

   Throughout the village, people portrayed life as it was several centuries ago, with demonstrations of rope-making from flax, weaving and baking. Dancing around a tall May Pole, or midsummer pole, situated in the center of the village was another part of the annual celebration. We ended the midsummer experience with a hearty Swedish dinner in an ancient basement—plenty of atmosphere!

   The next morning, our group packed up and traveled about 350 miles through the countryside to Helsingborg, where we, bus and all, boarded a ferry to Denmark. It was a very short two day stay in Sweden, mostly centered around Stockholm. So we can’t really say that we saw that country or became acquainted with its people, culture and history. It was a good introduction to Scandinavia though and whetted our appetite so that perhaps one day, we’ll return.

   This reminds me of the importance of a regular routine of Bible reading and in depth study until it begins to penetrate deep into our minds and hearts. Learning what Scripture reveals about the character of God and how it applies to our everyday lives only happens over time. Eventually the Word of God will change us, if we are willing!

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV