Costa Brava, Spain

Costa Brava, Spain June 27- July 2

After the hangovers had worn off, the herring was put away (until Christmas anyway), and the may poles taken down, my parents and I both continued our travels.  They were going to Spain and then to  Germany to visit my brother and I was starting in Spain for 5 weeks through 3 countries with Daron, a friend from home.  It wasn't long after my parents left Sweden, that we met again in Costa Brava.

Mom and I atop the city of Palafrugell.

I love the charming side streets of European cities.

Dad and I.

My mom and I enjoyed the coastal towns while my dad was cycling with Portland Velo. The beach is more my pace while on vacation.

Diving board.

My parents and my favorite town, Palafrugell.

Cheers to a wonderful 15 days spent with my parents in both Sweden and Spain.

Walking from town to town along the coast at dusk. 

On the last day, my mom and I drove 4 hours north to the south of France.  We passed through several quaint medieval towns such as the one above.  There is something I love about walking the cobble stone streets and imagining the history that took place there.  Something that it so different than the US.

Next stop, Barcelona!

Midsommar

 Midsommar or midsummer, is the second largest celebration by Swedes following Christmas.  It is celebrated with closest friends and family and happens each year on a date on or close to summer solstice, the longest day of the year.  Let me just say that come June, I was definitely ready to celebrate some daylight too after all the darkness that Swedish winter put on us.  Midsommar is complete with a maypole, crowns made of wildflowers, snaps, music, dancing, singing, and the dreadful herring.  

Two celebrations happen on the eve of midsummer, Midsommarsafton.  There is the traditional main meal during the day, followed by many drinking songs and snaps.  When everyone has had just the right amount of snaps, the dancing begins around the maypole.  One is never too old to dance, sing and act like a baby or frog on this day in Sweden.  Then we lay low for a while until it is time for more celebration including a barbecue.  Midsommar is something everyone has to experience some day, and it is a tradition I am hoping to keep alive even after moving back to the states.

The building of the maypole by Andreas and Mårten.  Since I know you were thinking it, yes, those symbolize two balls on the phallic fertility pole.

Perfekt!

Elsa helping make the crowns from wildflowers.

Table, set and ready.

Ella and Sofia prancing around in their flower crowns.

 Smörgåsbord.

Champagne and snaps, I wish I could say this was the only alcohol I drank all day.

 Traditional Swedish cake with creme, meringue, and strawberries.

 The kids version of this delicious cake.

 After just enough snaps (on the adults behalf), the dancing began!

My first ever midsommar, but definitely not my last.

Mina föräldrars resa till Sverige.

In mid-June, I warmly welcomed the arrival of my parents to Stockholm as well as the summer weather that I thought would never arrive.  After 9 months, my parents looked just as I remembered them.  It was their first trip to Sweden and first time meeting my Swedish family.  It was as if both of them had known each other for years.  One night, we went to a restaurant called Gondolen for dinner and drinks and one of the best views of Stockholm.

 

Sunset with hot air balloons.

One day my parents and I took a boat from Lidingö to Finnhamn to enjoy the Swedish archipelago.

 Strandvägen.

Before brunch at the Grand Hotel.

After brunch we explored the city including one of my favorite spots, Gamla Stan. 

Best shopping in Stockholm, followed by fika at the Diplomat.

 We walked along the waterfront or Strandvägen all the way to Djurgården, an island in the middle of Stockholm.  

 The thought of leaving these kids is unbearable. 

Another archipelago trip to Waxholm with both families.

It was so much fun to have my parents finally get to see where I have been living the past year, and see what I have been doing.  I loved having both my families together, but 10 days was too short.