Stockholm, Sweden
The weather changed overnight and Stockholm greeted us with a gentle rain that continued on and off all morning and into the early afternoon. Fortunately it only poured occasionally, leaving us with plenty of opportunity to explore the city on our own with rain gear and umbrellas.
Many of us attended Karen’s presentation of “Expedition Photography: Photography 101” in the morning, followed by Sisse and Cotton’s expedition “Being on Assignment with National Geographic.” It was a fitting moment to learn more about photography, as the rain poses extra challenges to anyone trying to learn how to take masterful shots. “When you are on assignment with National Geographic,” Sisse noted, “you go out regardless of the weather.”
There were three afternoon excursions. Many of us took an hour-long drive to Gripsholm Castle and the nearby village of Mariefred. A medieval castle, Gripsholm served for many centuries as a favorite home of the Vasa family, most famously Gustavus Adolphus the Great (King Gustav II Adolph), a brilliant military leader of the early 17th century who played a big role in saving the Protestant cause during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). The interior walls contain the portraits of many German Protestant princes of the early modern era, along with some magnificent portraits of Europe’s ruling dynasties. It also contains Europe’s second oldest theater, where some of Europe’s most famous plays were once performed.
Many chose to go to the National Historical Museum, where they saw one of Europe’s finest collections of Viking artifacts. Though most famous for its Viking exhibit and Gold Room, the museum also houses the largest collection of artifacts and visual documents on Swedish history in the country.
Still others chose to go to the Millesgården and Waldemarsudde Art and Sculpture museums, which contain a wide variety of modern art and sculpture. Both museums were once private homes and they offer a superb setting for viewing the artwork.
