Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sweden with Sara


Sara and I actually hatched the plot for this vacation in an early Sunday morning google chat conversation several months ago. We desperately wanted to see one another and she felt that she could use a restful respite outside of her peace corps posting. Charlie had expressed interest in the Baltics to follow his ancestry and shortly after I woke him up that Sunday morning with my jotted notes of prices, times and possibilities, it was a done deal.

So, the first week was spent in an incredible journey through art history and cultural history in Latvia and Estonia and then we flew from Riga to Stockholm. As we exited through customs, there was an adorable little American girl with a backpack, a sweet smile and a sign that said MOM. There is no picture because I was flying into her arms.

On the internet, we had found a little inn on the banks of Lake Siljan about 3 hours north and west of Stockholm called the Klockargarden. In our rented Volvo (oh yes, a Volvo--how can you not love Sweden?) we made our way out to the Swedish countryside. Charlie drove while Sara told us all about Macedonia and her experiences. We arrived at our destination just in time for dinner at the Inn. Reindeer! Yes, we ate reindeer! It was delicious and didn't taste anything like chicken. I could eat reindeer every day. Oh I love Sweden.

The Inn was just what we had hoped for. Everything was beautiful, restful and comfortable. Just the place for three people to spend time saying a year's worth of words to each other.

We spent 3 delicious, happy days in the Swedish countryside before heading back to the airport in Stockholm for one last night--and it was a doozy! Sara had found our accommodations for us. It was called the Jumbo Hostel and was located at the airport and was inexpensive and was inside a jumbo jet--yes, you heard right--a jumbo jet. I expect to post more about that some day when I am short on material.

After stowing our belongings in our overhead compartment, Charlie settled down to listen to a baseball game on the internet and Sara and I took a bus into Stockholm for one last mother-daughter evening until the next one.

The next morning, we flew off in our different directions--tears were easy for me as we headed back across the Atlantic but my ears are still full of her stories and laughter to get me through.

11 comments:

Joanie D. said...

What a wonderful experience to have had with Sara, Beth. And thanks so much for sharing your entire trip with us all. I found it very interesting!

Ruth said...

The last picture brings tears to my eyes. Saying goodbye is so hard, but it is great that your daughter is making her way confidently into the world. You must be so proud of her. What a great trip. (I would love to hear more about the airplane hostel)

beth said...

HOW FUN !!

and yes....more about that jet hostel please as it looks too cool !!!

The Buck Shoots Here said...

Sara looks good. So glad you guys got to spend some time together. You saw all 4 at various points of this trip... that's a successful journey, no matter what else you did!

warriormom said...

What an amazing trip, I hate goodbyes but how wonderful to have had such a visit!

Pappy said...

I've enjoyed your adventure. Sara looks great. Pappy

Jayne said...

So wonderful that you all got to spend so much quality time together. I can't even imagine how this experience will further shape the woman she is to become, and I know that you are so very proud mom.

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a good visit, interesting lodging. We will have to hear more about that.

R. Aastrup said...

What a great trip you've had! I really enjoyed reading/seeing all about it! And how wonderful to spend time with your daughter like that. (I, too, would like to know more about the airplane hostel.)

Morning's Minion said...

I'm just catching up with your travels all in one reading. Thank you for sharing such an interesting experience.

Kathie Brown said...

Beth, Beth, how wonderful for all of you! I can't even imagine what that must have been like! Sara is adorable! I'll pray for her safety!