Happy Birthday from THAT Brother

To celebrate Sean’s birthday, I, his younger, smarter, taller and better looking brother, Todd, have officially hijacked his blog and given him a week off.

Now that we’ve cleared that up...it’s time to celebrate Sean. And what better way for me to celebrate him and his Swedish experience, than to devote a day to everything that is Swedish in New York. I wasn’t looking for just anything Swedish (Volvos, Saabs, meatballs, etc). I wanted a true Swedish experience. Yes, there are a few Swedish gems in New York if one looks hard enough...and by “looks hard enough” I mean a few hours on the internet and a few miles of walking.

Oh, and before anyone asks...no, I did not go to Ikea. That would have required me to go to New Jersey. Not even Sean’s birthday will make me purposely go to New Jersey.

So, with list in hand and armed with my new t-shirt (“You bet your Smorgasbord I’m Swedish”), I began my trek. Here are the highlights...

Fika, Fika, Fika...Sean loves Fika. And now, so do I. I finally visited the much anticipated FIKA coffee shop. Not being a coffee drinker, I forced down a cup....tasted like any other cup (sorry!). However, I did partake in a KOKOSTOPP....a coconut pastry with a crunchy outside and softer inside. Ok, fine...it was a macaroon...but it was still tasty! My first FIKA experience was a good one.

Next stop...a restaurant called Aquavit. If the restaurant was as good as the bottle of Aquavit that Sean gave me, I was in for a treat. And with only a kokostopp in my belly, I was ready for some Swedish delights. I walked in the unassuming door in my holey jeans, Swedish t-shirt and back pack. Have you ever walked into an establishment...the music comes to a screeching halt...everyone looks at you and there’s e an uncomfortable silence? Welcome to my Aquavit experience...except the screeching music was Swedish. Apparently, Aquavit is a VERY NICE restaurant. I quickly left, but managed to snap this photo...holey jeans and all...before the Swedish mafia caught up with me. I wonder if it was the t-shirt?

Perhaps it was time to re-evaluate my adventure. And what better place to reflect than Svenska kyrkan. No, I did not go inside (lesson learned) and no, I did not take a funny picture with me and the church. Instead I took a picture which is very fitting of New York...the beautiful architecture of the old church, surrounded by skyscrapers towering high into the sky. It’s a great oasis for Swedes in New York as every service is conducted in Swedish. My curiosity has peaked...so someday soon, I will attend.

So...there you go...after a few hours of trekking around New York (yes, it took that long!), my Swedish adventure was coming to a close...BUT not before I enjoyed some of the true gems of the Swedish...including my Christmas present, a mug made from some large animal’s horn. Perhaps I “enjoyed” a little too much.

And a shout out to all Linkopinglivin readers....if you see Sean walking around Linkoping this week (and particularly on the actual day - April 13th), spontaneously scream HAPPY BIRTHDAY. He’ll get frightened, you’ll start laughing and I will have made his birthday all the better...from thousands of miles away.

Grattis På Fodelsdag, Sean!!!