We chose the house in Taby not only us to use as a launching pad to explore Sweden, but to share the experience with others. We are lucky to have had this work out well. Today we picked up Ruthie and two of her dear friends – Alex and Marshall – at the airport. Later in the day two other friends of hers – Parker and Will – arrived separately. They all in one way or another have either a North Carolina school connection or connection through Ruthie and Simon living in Miami. They are all “twenty-somethings” and very full of wanderlust… we enjoy their energy and perspectives and glad they are willing to share this experience with us even just for a few days. They all will be off to Tomorrowland in Belgium in a few days – a huge music festival – some via Amsterdam to meet up with other friends, others routing through Copenhagen.
As you’d expect, the contingent from Miami arrived tired and hungry so we gave them a quick orientation to the house to drop their bags and went to Taby Centrum – the very posh mall just down the road – for a meal at Vapiano. Andrew, Ruthie and I had been to other Vapiano’s in other cities and we knew the food to be very fresh and filling. It is especially good since both Ruthie and Alex have to stay on the gluten-free diet. At this point there are not many restaurants in Stockholm that truly understand how careful one has to be if gluten really can make you ill. Vapiano “gets it” and makes gluten-free pizza, pasta and risotto that is prepared separately from any gluten inclusive foods – and it’s GOOOOOOD! We had happy campers.
After a meal and some napping, we all headed to the lovely country home of Pia and Hans – the parents of our host, Richard. Andrew and I had met them already but they invited all of us out to the homestead that had been in their family for many years. It was quite an adventure finding the house – Hans anticipated this so he met us at a major highway intersection with a huge American flag waving!
The house was reconstructed after a fire burned the original, but this new one was built in line with very traditional Swedish style – best described as a super-cozy and welcoming farmhouse.
Hans took us on a short hike through the adjacent woods and told us all about the history of the land purchase and his taking over care and maintenance of the house and surrounding land. The forested environment is kept very much in natural state and once we reached a clearing there was a pristine lake that is essentially private to the property. Next to the boat landing (small boat included) is a dry sauna that Hans and family built. In the winter they cut a hole in the frozen lake, jump in for a VERY refreshing dip, jump out and then into the heated sauna – complete with fragrant branches to scent the air and the experience! This homestead is used regularly by multiple family generations and it’s clear that this gathering place gives Pia and Hans much joy.
We had a wonderful and quite traditional meal – including BBQ 🙂 , cooked vegetables melded with halloumi cheese, and a wonderful chocolate cake. Their cute-as-a-button pup, Morris, entertained us as well. We are so grateful to our new friends for their open arms as we explore their beautiful country. We hope they will grace us with a visit so we can return the hospitality.
Until next time,
Esther
Living La Vida Loca 