Tracy-Shane-Trips

Hey folks. It’s been a long travel day today. We disembarked from the Viking Jupiter at 830 am and boarded the bus to Bergen Airport. Here’s the sign that greeted us when we got there. It’s as if they’re not sure.

pmWe got there around 930, and our flight wasn’t until 130pm, so we started through security. We were stopped, and they had to check our bags. Shane had packed his shaving cream, and it was more than 3 oz. Of course it made it through TSA, but the guys in Bergen said no. Then they found his special, favorite shampoo and conditioner, and Shane was negotiating with him about it because it was pretty expensive. The guy was really nice and said he would ask his boss. So he came back and said they were going to test it or something, and I told him that I was sure there was nothing in there but shampoo, and he laughed. The shampoo and conditioner passed the test, and we were allowed to keep it. I almost asked him to test the shave cream too, but we decided to leave well enough alone.

We got through security without another incident and went to find some food. There was this amazing smell coming from a bakery outside one of the terminals, so we went to check it out. I got the cinnamon (Kanelbullar), and Shane got the chocolate (Sjokoladeboller), of course. And, look what we saw in the terminal?

We boarded at 1245pm and had an uneventful flight to Stockholm. Thank goodness. We took the rental car bus to Hertz and picked up our Polestar 2. Shane was allowed to drive the car in Sweden because he only needed to be 18, and not 25, like at home. But that gal said that it would be an extra charge, so he declined. Then she told us the car already had a few dings, so we should take some photos just in case so we wouldn’t get blamed. I don’t think that has ever happened to me before, but of course, I obliged. And a few of Shane packing our bags into the car. I think we brought too much stuff.

It was quite a drive from the airport to the center of town, and it took us about an hour. Here’s a map of where we are (blue dot) and then a few of the game design studios we are planning to stake out tomorrow. Avalanche, Arrowhead and Mojang are within walking distance of our hotel, Hilton Slussen.

In case I didn’t explain before, this side trip to Stockholm (since we were in this neck of the woods anyway) is an opportunity for Shane to see some of his favorite design studios up close and personal. We are hoping to either knock on the doors and see if someone is available, or trip some poor engineer as they are heading out the door and offer to buy them lunch. Shane is studying game design and computer science at university, so this is a fantastic opportunity for him to network. I’m hoping they don’t turn us away. We did send out advance messages on linkedin to some of the game designers, but they ghosted us.

So it’s after 10pm here now in Slussen and Shane and I are doom-scrolling the socials. He found a pretty good Thai place for take out which was just around the corner from our hotel, so we walked over to get dinner. Shane had noodles and chicken and gyoza and I had pad thai with chicken. Not the best I’ve ever had, but good. And we had junk food for breakfast and lunch, so it was veggies and chicken for dinner. We are both planning to work out and go on a diet when we get home. Shane is already lamenting the lack of a fridge stocked with chocolate like we had on the ship (lol).

So tomorrow we head out to see if we can make any connections. Here’s the view from our room. Off to the right of the highway is Gamla Stan which is surrounded by Lake Mälaren on the west and the Baltic Sea (Saltsjön / Stockholms ström) on the east. Gamla Stan translates to “The Old Town” in English. It is the historic city center and original site where Stockholm was founded in 1252.

The bustling, compact island of Gamla Stan is the city’s old town, with cobbled streets and colorful 17th- and 18th-century buildings. It’s home to the medieval Storkyrkan cathedral and the Royal Palace, the king’s official residence. Stylish bistros serve New Nordic cuisine, while night spots include old-school pubs and chic cocktail bars. On adjoining Riddarholmen island, Riddarholmen Church hosts summer concerts.

I’m thinking Shane and I should go out tomorrow evening and check out the pub. See you tomorrow, Tracy