Sundsvall

Well, we are now in Sundsvall and I am staying with Erika and Martin Persson and their children, Becky and Theo, ages five and three. I still don't have wireless Internet, so I cannot upload photos and the like or update the blog as often, but at least I have some access. Today, we took a walking tour of Sundsvall which was burned almost completely in 1888 by a spark started anecdotally by a steam engine. After the fire, all the wood buildings were replaced with stone ones and the town is sometimes called the "Stonetown." Neorenaissance architectural styles are prevalent in the old town area.

Most interesting to me, is the fact that Prince "Chulalongkorn" -- completely phonetic spelling-- of the "King and I" fame, once journeyed to this area, after his father had died and he had become king of Siam. He came to eat lunch in a building I was standing in this afternoon and ultimately spent time in this part of Sweden. He was much loved by these people as well. Nobody else in my group may have thought that was terribly interesting but simply knowing the story of Anna and her influence on the real King of Siam, made the presence of his son in this part of the world, very tangible and exciting for me.

We are working on a plan to see Stockholm before we leave, so that is on the agenda for tomorrow. Also, on Friday, we are supposed to have a potluck dinner -- I didn't tell them that Lutherans all over the world are famous for that -- at which we are supposed to bring a favorite dish from our country. Here I am, in Sweden without a Kentucky Fried Chicken or Taco Bell in sight, and I am supposed to bring my favorite dish. I don't suppose Trejo's or Ming Garden delivers this far, does it?