Tiptoe through the Tulips: Adventure in Sweden

No visit to Sweden would be complete without some Viking ruins, beautifully designed furniture, and some red houses, right? After two days in Stockholm we took the train back to Västerås where I stayed for the remaining two and half days of my visit. I think it is a common misconception that you've "seen" a country if you've been to it's capital or most well-known city. If you've been to Rome then that counts as seeing Italy. If you've been to Paris, then that is France. But I think any real traveller understands that there is no microcosm for any culture, language, or country in the form of a busy city. Yes, I saw and learned many things in Stockholm but my time in Västerås is what really made my visit to Sweden so enriching. And usually museums tend to be the highlight when I visit places, just out of personal preference, but I think this day was my favorite of all. It had most of my favorite things: yoga, tea, autumn, ancient things, and great company.

Read and see more after the jump!

Rune Stone and Burial Mound of Anundshög
Between Badelundaåsen and Anundshög there was a Bronze Age settlement with access to the sea. The community was based in sea-travel and like most ancient Nordic monuments the stones they left behind form the outline of a ship. There are fine stone ships in total making the site the largest concentration in all of Sweden. Documents from the mid-1600's say that the stones were knocked down. They remained so until restoration of the site did began in 1932. Other documents from the Middle Ages call it the "right true court town," indicating that district court sessions were held there.

The rune stone reads: "Folkvid raised all these stones in honour of his son, Heden, the brother of Anund. Vred carved the runes." Folkvid was obviously a prominent man. He also paid for the stones which line the road the king travelled when visiting his people.

Although some brewery workers tried unsuccessfully to rob the grave in 1788, no real excavation took place until 1998. Evidence from two drilled shafts revealed that the tomb was placed on top of an older settlement. At 9 meters high and 64-68 meters in diameter it is the largest tumulus in Sweden.

Carl Malmsten Workshop in Capellagården
The Vasa Museum was for my brothers and the furniture workshop was for my mom.

Yoga class in Västerås Castle
Although this was not my first time doing yoga in a different country it was my first time attending a yoga class instructed in a different language. My Swedish, if I can claim I even know any at all, doesn't extend far beyond "hello," "thank you," and "welcome." Not exactly helpful when it comes to downward dog, fire breathing, and meditation. But Suzanne made up some hand signals for a few of the techniques used frequently in the yoga class she goes to in Västerås castle so I wouldn't be completely lost. I followed everyone else but once I got the hang of that I just stopped thinking and sort of fell in to place with the flow. When you're at peace then you notice things you wouldn't normally. This was one of the best yoga sessions I've ever had and everything looked and felt differently after that.