Back from Iceland. Amazing holiday. Amazing land. Our luck with the weather continued from the Italy trip. Only on the last two days was it overcast. But, even the clouds proved to be beneficial. We never would have noticed the partial solar eclipse had it been sunny. As far as midnight sun, we missed it by about a month. The sun actually set around 11:30pm and rose at 4:15am.
Our holiday is officially over. So, I will be posting about the Iceland trip as soon as I finish some posts on the Italy trip. August will be catch up month in that respect. Cheers.
The sun was shining for nearly the entire trip down to Italy. Could not have asked for any better weather. The weather gods were smiling indeed. And so, there are two sunsets that rate as the best of the trip. Both are from Italy. No surprise there. The Mediterranean skies are the most vibrant.
The first was on the walk back from the cliff-side towns of Manarola to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre National Park.
The other was on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. As always a large crowd had gathered. We enjoyed the moment with them.
Italy, land of my forebearers. And pasta. But, honestly, only one word adequately and accurately defines Italy:
G - E - L - A - T - O
I could have eaten gelato morning, noon and night. But, since breakfast was included at all the hotels, I missed out on that gastronomic trifecta. Pity.
In Pisa, a rite of passage for [nearly every] tourist is posing for the I Propped Up the Leaning Tower of Pisa picture. We were not ones to shirk our supportive duties. But, the question I have for you is: Who worked it better?
Hotel Recommendation:Hotel Globus in Florence. Very nice. Modern. In the heart of the city. Close to everything.
A road trip. From Sweden to Italy. See the sights (and everything in between) in 10 days. This was going to be the best! holiday! ever! How could it not be? And who would choose to go on this daring venture? Seasoned travelers. Of sound mind and spirit. Of course. [click on a pic for a larger view]
On holiday. Hence, the dearth of posts. Just finished the first leg of travel. Heard this song driving through Germany. Highly recommended. Little White Lies by Jenniffer Kae. She's an upcoming singer out of Germany and has a great voice. Her website is here. Enjoy the video.
Having lived in Göteborg for a good 5 months, I guess it was finally time for me to point the camera at my surroundings. To explore the visual treats that this city has to offer. Yes, there are visual treats to be found. If you like abstract, colorful, sober images. Which I happen to like. It's kind of like godis for the eyes. Since we will be living here at least another 18 months, I will have the opportunity to revisit certain locations through the seasons. You know, the two seasons we have here: Winter and cool Summer. Should be able to provide a complete spectrum of "my Göteborg." This is just the beginning. So, the first stop on the tour is on the docks alongside Maritiman, the floating ship museum, which is located at Packhuskajen. There are 19 ships and vessels, including a submarine. Several are brightly colored. Naturally, I gravitate towards those ships. Shadow, anyone?
There is a floating platform between two of the ships. I assume it to be a painting platform. Most of the ship colors seen are present as splattered paint on the floating platform. How's that for deductive reasoning? The ships are painted anew often. Though sometimes, the colors don't quite match. The orange ship pictured above has at least 5 different shades of orange on its side.
The Fourth of July party couldn't have been any more fun. Well, maybe if the Swedish Bikini Team had shown up. Still, fun. And warm. The weather gods were listening and the warm temps (27C+) returned just in time. Friends, food, drink, music and good conversation. What more could you ask for? TJ in a silly hat, perhaps?
I was not wearing mine for this photo, but both of us did receive a hat. One of many gifts from our dear new friends welcoming us to Sweden. A few pix from the party. To see more photos, either select a photo below or click here.
One thing I learned at the party is that my compact digital camera is toast. Too much abuse over the years. I've dropped it more times than I care to admit. All the photos seem to be out of focus on one side. Not good. And the trip to Burning Man added quite a bit of dust to the interior of the camera. Dust, you can have as much as you like.
Another thing I learned is that Swedes can really drink. But, occasionally, so can TJ. The day after photo tells the story. Shhhh. Be very very quiet.
This post contains a list of new and notable music I've been listening to of late. Feel free to comment with your favorite songs and artists. I always welcome suggestions for music. To find out more about my musical tastes, check out my profile on LastFM. Artist links will take you to an informational website (Myspace page, artist website, etc). Song links will take you to a video of the song.
Dance Freemasons ft. Katherine Ellis–When You Touch Me (2008 Club Mix/Radio Edit). The Freemasons come to the dancefloor rescue! What a killer dance track. The video is an homage to Bob Fosse's choreography in a dance number, Rich Man's Frug, from the movie Sweet Charity. For more of Katherine Ellis’ exquisite full-throttled voice, try Stereo Palma– Dreaming or ABSO ft. Katherine Ellis – Let The Beat Hit ‘Em (Soul Avengerz Remix). The latter can only be found on a Hed Kandi mix at the moment.
This Summer, one of the hottest songs in Europe(and hopefully beyond) is Hagenaar & Albrecht – What Would We Do (Original Edit). The funky piano chords hit you hard. Although the next song, Soul Survivors ft. Angie Brown – Bring It Back (Classic Club), came out last year, take a listen to this retro disco gold. Angie Brown's vocals are strong, lively, and cajoling. Bring it back, indeed. An electric disco maestro from Australia, Sam Sparro – Black & Gold, hit the UK charts earlier this Spring. His music is making its presence known in the US. Listen closely and enjoy. Dig a little deeper and try Hot Mess, a falsetto funk that echoes Prince and Al Green. If you seek a distinctive, androgynous voice set to a hypnotic disco sway then Hercules and Love Affair – Blind should meet your needs. Need to be uplifted? Danny Clark & Jay Benham – Wondrous (MuthaFunkaz Mix) truly delivers a wondrous reworking of a praise chorus by SuSu Bobien. And who knew that girl from Queens, Cyndi Lauper – Set Your Heart, would still be delivering the goods 25 years after she just wanted to have fun. End it all with a little (lack of) love from Russia: Valeriya - The Party's Over
Trance/Electronica Kaskade makes big waves with Strobelight Seduction. Great vocal tracks include Angel On My Shoulder and I Remember (Strobelight Edit). You may also want to check out his remix of Britney Spear's Break The Ice. Yes, I am recommending a Britnot song. The last time I did that, it was a Guilty Pleasure pick.
Ambient Alternative Bitter:Sweet delivers sexy space-age love songs. That's the good news. The bad news is that most of their songs sound oh-so-similar. The best of the bunch isThe Mating Game. Adult Alternative Aussie Gabriella Cilmi sings playfully sly and sweet on Sweet About Me. The song was used in a 2008 European commercial for Rexona deodorant. Keren Ann sings airy and light as a Summer breeze on Lay Your Head Down. The song was used in a commercial for H&M promoting their 2008 Summer collection. Jon McLaughlin – Beautiful Disaster reminds me a lot of Shawn Mullins. And that's a very good thing. I likedTristan Prettyman when she sang with Jason Mraz on Shy That Way from her previous album, 23. Check out her new song, Madly, and see why I continue my admiration for her singing and songwriting abilities.
Jazz Every once in a while you need something cool and calm to wind down the day. That something could be Melody Gardot singing Worrisome Heart.
Retro 70’s and Neo-Soul Jamie Lidell is crazy. The evidence is here, here, and here. But, he makes great music. How can you not be taken in by the soulful retro old school sounds of Another Day?
Guilty Pleasures We started with a video homage to Sweet Charity and end with another for Valley of the Dolls. It's the Pipettes! With their retro 60's Brit-pop confection called Pull Shapes. I had read about the group a few years ago, but didn't explore much beyond three female singers in polka dot hoop skirts. Then, late last year, YouTuber Michael Buckley (aka What The Buck) promoted the song in his video blog. And I became hooked. You might too.
In Swedish, that would be Glad Juli Fjärde! Or some close approximation thereof. I think. Okay, I'm guessing. But, it's all about intention.
And it was our intention to have a party on July 4th here in Goteborg. And so, it has come to pass. We are having a Fourth of July party in Goteborg. We will be the only Americans at our party. Which may seem a little sad. But, we take solace in the fact that there's an American icon playing just across town at Ullevi Stadium. The Boss. As in Bruce Springsteen, The Boss.
Another amusing addendum to our adventures. How American is that? The Boss! Almost as American as a soker kaka decorated like an American flag with blueberries and strawberries. Now, that's American! Happy Fourth of July from TJ, Chris, Lily and Zoey!!!!
It is well into Summer and the ticks (fästning in Swedish) seem to be winning the game.
Current Score
Ticks 5 Chris/Lily/Zoey 0
Two things are wrong with that score. First, that my name is up there. Second, that TJ's name is not. I've already described the tick that we tweezed off Zoey several weeks back. New scores were posted during our Midsommar excursion.
You see, in Tanum, where we were, there are walking paths. And those walking paths pass through forests. And in those forests, lying in wait, are ticks. Lots of ticks. We picked quite a few ticks off the dogs while we were there. Then, we came home. And, the ticks appeared.
We got back in early evening. I showered. And found the first tick...on me. And, I'm almost too embarrassed to tell you where it was. Almost. It was on my nipple. No, I have no idea how it got there. But, it was attached. And quite content, suckling, as it were. And so, I can only say that the image of TJ coming towards me with a pair of [heated] tweezers is not a pleasant one. And, yes, I am monitoring the area to make sure no telltale ring appears. Lyme disease is present here in Sweden.
The next day, an even scarier discovery. A tick on Lily. On her eyelid. I had to wait until TJ got home so we could both deal with this tiny terror. Lily is one of the most patient (and gentle) dogs in the world. Two more ticks, the last one 5 full days after our return. Hopefully the last. It hasn't scared us from venturing into the woods. We'll just be better prepared.
On to another recurrent pest. The rats at the Otter House. Two nights ago, as I was walking the dogs out the front of the building, a rat ran right in front of the door. Oh dear god, they are relocating to our building! Nooooo! Stay across the street at the Otter House!
I did, however, make a discovery that puts my mind at ease. As I mentioned, the dogs relieve themselves in the back yard of the Otter House. A week or so ago, Zoey started eating something off the ground. When I finally discovered what it was I was horrified. It was a pellet. As in a rat pellet. As in rat poop. Needless to say, I kept her away from the pellets as best I could. No sense having her contract bubonic plague or a rat version of Hanta virus. Yes, I do worry about these things, even if the possibility is remote.
All that worry for naught. Yesterday, I took the girls over to the Otter House. As we rounded the corner into the back yard, a giant rabbit bounded away. It was a ridiculously large rabbit. I did wonder how those small rats could produce such large-looking poop pellets. Now, I had my answer. It was the giant rabbit! So, as I explained to TJ, I no longer worry about the dogs eating the rabbit pellets. A supplemental food source, right? Somehow, TJ does not share my viewpoint on this. He even questions the existence of the giant rabbit. I know what I saw. It was there. A big, hinking rabbit. What else could it have been? Does Lyme disease cause hallucinations?
UPDATE: TJ has seen the rabbit! He described it as huge. I'm vindicated! And not crazy. Well, not that crazy.
For your viewing pleasure, my first attempt at making an iMovie:
If you want to view the video at higher resolution (recommended), go to YouTube and select the "watch in higher resolution" link below the Views (below and to right of video frame).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1lYxoTJdh8
And, because you need to know, the lyrics to the frog dance. Sing Along! And, I bet the song will get stuck in your head.
Lyrics in Swedish:
Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se! Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se! Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de! Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de! Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack! kou ack ack ack ack kaa! Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack! kou ack ack ack ack kaa!
Literal English translation:
Small frogs, small frogs are fun to see!Small frogs, small frogs are fun to see!No ears, no ears, no tails they have!No ears, no ears, no tails they have! Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack! kou ack ack ack ack kaa! Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack! kou ack ack ack ack kaa!
We were invited to spend Midsommar in Tanum, a small town on the coast about 140km North of Goteborg. The weather all week had been, in a word, poor. So much for Summer. But, our friend Ingrid mentioned that the weather is always bad leading up until Midsommar (last year, especially). And, then, like some biblical prophesy, the skies part, the weather gods smile, and good weather returns for the holiday weekend. Okay, I made that last part up. But, the skies literally did part. And, on the drive up, I saw my first ever funnel cloud! Came down less than halfway from the bottom of the cloud. Then dissipated. Was not able to pull off the highway and provide you with photographic proof. Next time! I promise.
So upon arriving, it was time to eat the traditional Midsommar meal: herring (sill) and new potatoes (nytt potatis). Now, I was expecting an actual fish (head and all). Nope. The herring were swimming in jars of pickling juices and sauce. There were three flavors: plain, onion and mustard sauce. I preferred the onion. The texture was interesting. My palette had to warm up to it. Like fish balls, the herring is manufactured by Abba. The seafood company, not the pop group. New (or fresh) potatoes are essentially boiled baby potatoes with dill. And served with sour cream. Simple, yet delicious. To end the meal...strawberries (jordgubbar).
Then, we made our way to a common area near the boat dock. Around 200 people assembled. Young and old. And waited. People ate. Kids played. Music wafted through the air. Swedish folk tunes, perhaps. Then, the maypole was brought out and raised.
Two rings of children and adults encircled the maypole. And the dancing began. Several dances were performed. The most famous is the frog dance (små grodorna dans). My favorite was the sleeping bear dance (björnen sover). Sadly, I have no video of this. I was too enthralled by the choreography. I am working on an iMovie of the festivities. Because, who would want to be deprived of seeing people hopping like a frog and dancing around a maypole.
Well, there is always the photo of TJ wearing a crown of Midsommar flowers in his hair.
Back to food. Dinner. First course. Colorful and tasty.
Main course. Leg of deer (Bambi). Our host, Jannes, shot the deer himself. Yes, that is a big leg. No, between four of us (plus 2 children), we did not finish even half of it.
Leaving tomorrow for our first Midsommar celebration! A lowdown on Sweden's favorite holiday can be found here. The dogs will be in tow. Perhaps, they will join us in a frog dance around the maypole. Perhaps, not.
That was the rallying cry heard this past Sunday along Avenyn, one of the wider thoroughfares in Goteborg. The city had blocked off part of the street and set up jumbo screens suspended from cranes so that the Euro 2008 football (soccer) match between Sweden and Spain could be watched by the masses.
And watched by the masses it was. As was the match against Greece on June 10. Chanting, silly hats, national pride, consumption of copious amounts of alcohol. Yes, football is the national sport here. We enjoyed watching the game along with the crowd. But, we didn't have the stamina to stay for the whole game. Indian food was calling us back to our favorite restaurant. How could we not heed the call of that chant?
Chants of Sverige! were heard Wednesday night as well. That is, up until the game ended. Sweden had failed to score 1 point against Russia which would have advanced them into the next round. And, so, Sweden was out. I guess Swedish sports fans will have to put away their jerseys and silly hats. At least until curling season starts up.
An interesting perspective on the geopolitical implications and uniting powers of football can be found here.
A few weeks ago, TJ and I attended an art event at the Världskulturmuseet (Museum of World Culture). As we stood there waiting for the naked performance artists to start crawling across the glass roof above us, a group of women positioned themselves next to us to get a good view. One motioned to TJ and started speaking to him (in Swedish). He did not understand what she said as much as he understood her gestures. She handed him her wine glass. He held it. From her purse, she produced a round tin and opened it. Inside the tin, were packets (portions) of snus.
Snus, for the uninitiated, is a moist powder that is chock full of nicotine; it is placed under the lip, similar to chewing tobacco. Snusis produced and consumed mainly in Sweden and Norway.
The woman placed a packet of snus under her bottom lip, thanked TJ, and reclaimed her wine glass. It was then that I noticed she did not have another container. One in which to catch the snus juice. Nor was the floor the type of floor that one might spit upon. We were indoors after all. Even the Museum of World Culture has its limits. It was then that it dawned on me. She would have to swallow the snus juice. TJ and I conferred about this...and shuddered.
I have memories of trying smokeless tobacco (dip or chew, as it was known) in college. This was back before portions were packaged. The brand was Skoal. Just loose, moist, finely shredded tobacco leaves. I distinctly remember the rule. Do not swallow the juice that formed in your mouth. The juice that started flowing immediately after the chew was placed between the lower lip and gum. The nicotine buzz would follow shortly thereafter. Trying to keep the mass of chew in place was half the battle. It wanted to move around in your mouth. Slide across your teeth, around the sides, to the back of your mouth and down your throat, if it could. Expelling the juice elegantly was the other challenge. Some were successful, some were not. Sure, there were some friends who could actually chew and drink beer at the same time. Now, that was talent. I was not so talented. Needless to say, I had my [limited] experience and checked it off the list.
Here in Sweden, everyone, not just the women, swallows. And they combine the feat whilst drinking. Talented? Maybe. But, I'm not as impressed as I used to be.
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