Exploring Uppsala

Between trips to IKEA and other shopping destinations to add the finishing touches to our apartment, we tried to do a little exploring and sight-seeing while my parents were here. One of our trips included a day trip to the town of Uppsala. Uppsala is about an hour train ride north of downtown Stockholm. To get there, we took the Pendeltag, which is the above ground commuter train.

Waiting on the train to Uppsala 

Belle enjoying her train ride 

Today, Uppsala is the fourth biggest city in Sweden and is a big college town. Upsala is the site of the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. Upon arriving in Uppsala, we decided to find lunch as we were all very hungry . Not knowing where to go and being very hungry, we stumbled upon the restaurant Burgers and Beer. After not seeing other restaurants around, we settled on this one.

After talking with the owner, we discovered that he too was American and had come to Sweden for a girl. Two years later, he and his buddy own a restaurant serving burgers and beer to local college students. We all agreed that the burgers were delicious.

After lunch, we decided to explore the city. Our first stop was in a children's clothing store where Cyle decided that Belle needed a new hat. He was afraid she was getting too cold on the windy Swedish day.

From there, we made our way to the cathedral. Like other medieval cathedrals, it is located on the highest point in town. The cathedral dates back to the late 13th century and was originally built under the Roman Catholic Church. However, after the Protestant Reformation, the church was converted to accommodate the new Church of Sweden. For a time period, it was used as a the sight of the coronation of the Swedish monarchs. It also housed the tombs of several Swedish monarchs, including Gustav Vasa and John III, Carolus Linnaus, Olaus Rudbeck and Emanuel Swedenborg.

After leaving the church, we made our way to the Castle. Uppsala castle was built in 1549 by King Gustav Vasa. Later, it was remodeled to look like the castles that were popular during the Renaissance time period. The castle is located on the top of a hill and it was a long hike to the top. 

After leaving the castle, we began to make our way back to the train station for our journey back to Stockholm.

We enjoyed our day in Uppsala and look forward to future adventures.

Gamla Stan

I've been a little behind in my posts, and this is one from when my parents were here.  We didn't get to do a lot of sight-seeing while they were here since we were trying to get everything set-up, but we did manage to make a few trips into Gamla Stan (Old Town).  It was founded a thousand years ago when the original capital of Sigtuna had to be moved because of problems with gangs attacking the city.  According to legend the leaders in Sigtuna then took a log of wood, cut out all the wood inside, filled it with gold, and let it float on the water. The log was floating on the water for several days and eventually hit land on the island where Gamla Stan today is located. The island was named Stockholm or log island, meaning the place where the log had hit ground.  As Stockholm grew, so did the city of Gamla Stan.  It isn't hard to imagine what it must have felt like to live in Stockholm during the middle ages as most of the buildings today date back to 13th century and the streets are still as narrow and cobble stoned lined.   The Royal Palace, cathedral and the Nobel museum are located in the center of Gamla Stan.  In typical Wepsic fashion, we manged to do quite a lot of shopping and eating while we were there!

Stortorget Square

In front of the Royal Palace

Hopefully this hat will keep me warm!

Delicious Italian Restaurant!

This is where Belle got her Swedish outfit.  I can't wait to dress her up in it!

School Children.  Whenever they leave, all of the children must wear the yellow vests with the phone number of the school

A delicious Swedish Restaurant

Belle had enough shopping!

Home Sweet Home

It's hard to believe that we have already been here a week.  The past week has been filled with new experiences, unpacking, and exploring.  Our apartment is located in the town of Hagarsten, which is about a 30 minute train ride outside of downtown Stockholm.  It is a more residential city, which is nice because it is very family friendly.  I always see moms and dads out with their strollers and dogs. There are lots of restaurants around our apartment and they are all delicious.  We have tried a variety of cuisines.  So far, we have sampled Italian, Indian, and Greek.  I can definitely say there is not a shortage of variety.

The view from our apartment.  Our building looks very similar.

The main street outside of our apartment

We have a bus stop about a block from our door that will take us to the bigger city of Liljeholmen, which then allows us to connect to the train station to go into Stockholm.  The bus and trains are very easy to use and allow us to travel very easily through the city.  Since there are so many babies in Stockholm (thanks to Sweden's generous 480 day maternity leave), buses have made accommodations for mother's with strollers.  I can enter with my stroller in the back of the bus and don't even have to remove Belle. 

Purchasing our train and bus tickets

Waiting for the bus

Belle's first subway ride

Liljeholmen has a nice shopping mall, a grocery and even a McDonald's.  Of course we had to eat at the McDonalds to see if it tasted any different.  I can attest that the Big Mac tasted the same.  They do have a vegetarian menu, which is not available in the states.  My mom enjoyed sampling the veggie McWrap, which contained  an Indian inspired patty.  She said it was very good.

Sampling the local cuisine

The town of  Liljeholmen

Grocery shopping at ICA

Carrying all the groceries home

Our apartment, although it is tiny, is very nice and homey.  Although, we quickly realized that we didn't have enough storage, so it called for a trip to IKEA.  There, we had our first taste of Swedish food and my first IKEA experience.  IKEA was overwhelming, but they have EVERYTHING.  I think we spent about 5 hours there the first day trying to get everything we needed for the apartment.  We ended up purchasing two nightstands that had drawers and a chest of drawers for the living room.  Our purchases gave us enough room that we are able to fit all of our stuff into the small space and its even semi-organized.

IKEA!

Yummy!  Swedish meatballs

What!?!  We've been here for 3 hours and still have two more floors to cover???!!

Our IKEA purchase

I took Belle to the doctor this week to get her registered for the pediatrician.  Since Belle and I will not be covered under Sweden's insurance policy, I will have to pay everytime we go to the doctor.  It will cost us about $300 per visit!  The receptionist told us that she hopes we never get sick while we are there.  Even though it will be costly, I am glad to know I can take her somewhere if needed. 
Cyle started working this week.  He seems to be enjoying his job and Sweden's more relaxed work pace.  He really likes the fika time at work! 

 I think we are being to adjust to our new lifestyle.  I miss my car and the convenience it allowed me.  After hauling all my IKEA purchases home on the train and bus, while pushing a stroller, I vow to never to take my car for granted again.  I also really miss my washer and dryer.  I have done laundry once since we've been here and it was an experience.  I will have to save my laundry experience for a separate blog post.  The weather has also been an adjustment.  It is starting to turn cold and I think I've only seen the sun once for about 10 minutes.  As a local told me, the winter winds from Russia are beginning to arrive.

Belle's favorite time.....Bath time!!

Hi Grandpa

Breakfast time!

I think Belle was worn out!

Like my new Swedish dress?