Arriving at the train station in Mamö from Stockholm I was sad to see how much it had changed. I hadn’t realized quite the extent to which they had renovated and updated all of the train systems. They almost don’t use the old building at all anymore, except for some new restaurants, cafes and shopping. They have put most of the trains underground, and added a huge glass annex. I like the new part, but the old part has lost its large open feeling with all of the new stalls and the station is considerably more confusing. Mostly I was really disappointed with how it looks now. I spent so much time there! And now it is so different. In my wanderings about the station looking for Joakim, who was meeting me, I picked up some bus schedules, and also got cash. I eventually found Joakim, and we headed to the bus. Apparently you can no longer purchase tickets in the bus, so Joakim kindly purchased my ticket for me via his phone.
We headed to his house, and purchased a bus card for me at the grocery store near his flat. Mostly we just hung out chatting and watching youtube videos while he prepared dinner. The menu was steak and potatoes with a tomato salad. Much deliciousness. Sofie came home at 8 I think, and the other girls showed up shortly afterwords. Not before Sofie managed to explode a can of coke which she had left in the freezer however. In all the attendees to dinner were Joakim, myself, Sussana, Sofie, Michelle, Daniella, and Patricia. Mostly conversation was in Swedish, but my presence did prompt some reminiscing. After dinner there was much drinking and smoking (on their part) and loud music. It was really just like old times. Michelle left pretty early, but the rest of us headed to Wonk around 2am. It was nice to go out dancing at a club. We left the club around 4am as the sun was coming up an hit up a late night burger and fries place on the way. We all crashed pretty quickly. Sofie was out bright and early to go to work, but I followed not long after to catch the bus into Trelleborg for church at my old parish.
Church was the same as always, but pretty much all of the familiar faces are gone. The priest did recognize me though. And, as usual I waited two hours after mass to catch the bus to Skegrie.
Arriving home I at first thought the Strandbergs might not be home. The doorbell to the side door was broken, so ringing it came to naught, but luckily they were all sitting in the front room by the TV and saw me come to the front door. They all greeted me happily and seemed genuinely happy to see me around.
Its really quite like coming home again. Marie Louise was working at the hospital, so she wasn’t home until later, but I had a great time catching up with Julia and Niels Peter. Julia is just back from Italy, and it extremely tan! She is also doing well. The kitchen is finished now, and the whole of the downstairs is totally decorated. There is also a nice outdoor patio area at the side which is new. On the whole the house is just like a left it, but better.
Dinner was rice, garlic bread, grilled sausages, grilled pork, baked potato sections, several sauces, salad, and some onion potato triangles. It was really delicious. We had a typical dinner conversation where there was brief family talk in Danish/Swedish, and then the conversation turned to a question posed to me by Niels Peter. This time we talked about the Strandbergs impromptu trip to San Fransico, and its not particularly “American” atmosphere and lifestyle.
After dinner Kevin was taken in to Malmö to take the train to Köpenhamn for work this week, which conveniently means that I get Kevins room until Thursday. I turned in early shortly after Marie Louise and Niels Peter returned home.
Monday morning I wasn’t up until almost 10. Julia had already gone off to summer school, and Niels Peter to work. Lucas wasn’t up yet, and Marie Louise was home as she is working the night shift on Tuesday. I had limpa bread with orange marmalade and cheese for breakfast. It was delicious. It was accompanied by a cup of tea and a banana. It was lovely and quite reminded me of every morning here.
I spent most of the morning journaling and chatting to various people via skype out on the new side porch. The afternoon was spent reading. On the whole the day was spent pleasantly relaxing and occasionally chatting with Marie Louise. I also occasionally made use of the trampoline outside. I have really quite missed Sweden. It does occupy a special place in my heart and I am glad to be back.
Dinner was pasta and meat sauce with more limpa bread. It was pretty much a quiet day just like any other I might have had while living here.
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