Knäred och Halmstad

Yesterday's rain kept me inside...could finally catch up from jet lag.

The adventure began today! I drove, a stick shift, to Halmstad and was totally successful! I never thought such a simple feat could make me so happy.



Stopped at Eurostop for shopping at my favorite Swedish chains: KappAhl, Åhlens, Lindex, Duka, H&M to name a few. Used the cell phone calculator to quickly convert from Swedish kronors to the American dollar...this kept the kronor in my wallet! I am just sickened at the value of our dollar. meaning is my fav Swedish word of the day....

Parked car in Halmstad and figured out how to pay for parking...10kr/hr (approx. $1.66...now that I can handle!).

Strolled throughout the city taking many photos:


Most Swedes had the day off from work as it is another Red Day. Many were enjoying the beautiful weather today and the lines for ice cream were quite long. Halmstad is a good walking city - cars not permitted in main shopping areas.

The fashions here still somewhat differ from those in the US...appears as though Sweden has taken a serious dive back into the 80's...check out the hair on this man...("whoa, it's like wayne & garth all over again!")

Now don't start thinking that everyone here is donning neon jellies and parachute pants...I'm not talking that 80's trend! Leggings are in for women with large shirts that could be worn as dresses (similar to US) with flats...I've witnessed punk hairstyles on the men...big sunglasses are in but the Swedes can pull them off so much better with their blonde hair. I'm looking forward to checking out the scene in Stockholm next week.

Visited Halmstad Slott (slott = castle) next to the river and returned to the car. First thing outside the city the traffic stopped on a hill...and I was actually successful in restarting! You may think it's utterly ridiculous that I'm so ecstatic about driving a manual transmission in a foreign land...but it's a big deal when you've never driven one! Not only does the brain need to concentrate on actually keeping the car in steady motion...but it also needs to decipher Swedish traffic signs and directions! The look on Lars' mother's face upon my return was priceless. The sweet lady worried about me all day!

Hopped on the bike once I returned to Knäred and rode to a few of my favorite spots here...

As I was riding I couldn't help but think of how much I love the simple life in Sweden...everything is calm and peaceful. This is one place that feels like home...

Craving of the Day: A Kosta Boda shopping spree!