Sweden Day Ten

We're sitting in Erica and PJ's living room. Our bags are packed and piled in the corner. It's time to go. I'm sad about it, but at the same time I feel like we've been gone for a month. I miss our cats.

Yesterday was our anniversary, and we spent most of the afternoon wandering around town while Erica and PJ prepared their house for a mysterious event. We stopped for coffees, and received very appropriate latte art:



We visited the local design museum, which features free entry and a rotating series of displays.







We were due back at the apartment around 5:00, but were a bit late due to my insistence that we stop at the FACE Stockholm store and buy some makeup. I got the world's most expensive glitter, but it's not like glitter goes out of style. At least in my house it doesn't. We stopped at the System Bolaget on the way back to collect beer and cider. Once we returned to the apartment, we were confined to the living room for a while. Finally, the big reveal happened. A traditional Swedish crayfish festival was happening in our honor. Erica and I had artichokes and quiche while the other guests attacked the mountain of spindly-legged creatures at the center of the table. After a quick lesson, Bobby was a professional crayfish enjoyer. There are also songs that accompany this celebration. They're to the tune of various Christmas songs, like O Christmas Tree. We learned to sing them. Each song is followed by a shot of Aquavit (known as snaps), and we joined in that tradition as well. I, however, can't do shots, so mine was more a sip of Aquavit. However, I finished my little bottle like a champ. I didn't get any photos of this event, but Erica will share hers with me.

Soon the party disbanded, and reconvened up the street at Debaser to see Daniel Johnston play some songs. We rounded out the evening with many hugs on Debaser's back patio,





and are preparing for our goodbyes to our gracious hosts. We'll be home in Portland late tonight, and back in Sweden as soon as possible.