Scandinavia 15 neutrality

In WW II Sweden was as neutral as a nation could be located next door to Nazi Germany and beside Norway — which the Germans occupied in a surprise attack early in the war. My impression was that Swedes regard their WW II “neutrality” as an embarrassment, and in reaction are making “neutrality” a positive. More power to them. Of course, as I realized later, our discussions were taking place on the deck of a retired destroyer that had aggressively represented Sweden’s sovereignty during the Cold War.) By the way, the destroyer was pretty heavily armed--both 53 and 57mm guns, anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes, mines, and cruise missiles!

We also toured a light ship (Like a lighthouse). The sub was smaller than other subs I have toured, and it had a good, simple video about ballast and maintaining trim and neutral buoyancy. They also had a “monitor” (like the Monitor from our Civil war), although it was basically an empty hull. The compartments were labeled as cabins, storage, galley, etc., but there was nothing in them, not even an engine.

(to be continued)

Scandinavia 14 Maritiman

Breakfast at the hotel offered good variety—egg, meats, cheeses, breads, and Swedish pancakes! By the way, Göteborg is pronounced yur-te-borry!

The only real plan I had for today was Maritiman, a collection of ships you can explore, including a Swedish destroyer, a submarine, and a freighter. Well, that was enough! I think we spent about 4 hours there!

We were poking around the destroyer, reading signs, when a young woman guide offered to help. We spent a couple of hours (!) talking with her. She has one year to go to finish her bachelor’s degree. She is just learning about the ships, especially English nautical terms, but she knows some Swedish history, and we had a good discussion. (L note: Her take on Sweden is that Swedes have embraced “neutrality” as their defining characteristic. They work, play, and befriend one another for what they are — not what they demand, or require, or even want the other person to be. 

 “Neutrality” is a good explanation for the Pride parade and the accompanying enthusiasm. Of course I asked about WW II and Sweden’s “neutral” role, which I had just learned about while in Norway.

(to be continued)

Cranky Old Hag in Scandinavia 13 LGBTQ

It continued for another hour—I think every group in the city participated—political parties, social clubs, you name it. You know how every one is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day? Well, everyone was showing solidarity with the LGBTQ (only here it seems to be HBTQ, I think) community. There were clubs, families, gay couples, hetero couples, children, drag queens, bands, Brazilian Carnival groups, African groups, Amnesty International, socialists, communists, Liberals, what looked like scout groups, a group from the police(!), and on and on. Surprisingly, we didn’t see any opposition. No backlash. Just a lot of people having fun, with some good music and good cheer. There was also a party/concert at the end, which we didn’t stay for (speeches in Swedish). We later found out it was the last day of a 5-day festival. Talk about serendipity!

When the parade was over we walked back to the hotel (through the city park) and checked in. It was Sunday evening, so most places were closed. We did discover that there seems to be no place nearby to do laundry. “We don’t do that in Sweden.” (You don’t do laundry?) We could put some items in a bag for the hotel to have cleaned for us. I was hoping to do a week’s worth of laundry. So I washed out a few things in the sink. That should keep us respectable as far as Copenhagen, at least.

(to be continued)