ARLANDA airport is located about 40 km or 26 miles north of the city of Stockholm.. where I will spend the first week of my trip. It was grand to see Gisela coming to meet me with a cart for the luggage. We had a cup of strong Swedish coffee and a pastry in the beautiful newly renovated airport with its shiny hardwood floors and watched for the bus. Busses run every 10-15 minutes from the sidewalk in front of the terminal to the central station in Stockholm and the cost is about $7 US dollars. The busses are comfortable with room for luggage and the trip takes about 40 minutes.
STOCKHOLM is the capital of Sweden. Wherever you walk in Stockholm you are always able to glimpse water. The city is sprawls over about 20 islands and there are bridges, ferries and waterways everywhere. Stockholm was first mentioned historically as a town in 1252. After several centuries of conflicts between the Danes and Swedes, Stockholm was liberated by Gustavus I and became Sweden's capital in 1523. The city has broad streets and the buildings are made of white granite, brick or stone which gives the city a clean uncrowded appearance.
	Banérgatan. The bus from the airport brought us to the corner outside Gisela's home at Banérgatan. Gisela and her family have lived at this address for many years. Presently, Gisela's permanent home is on the island of Gotland and her son Torkel maintains the apartment as his residence. Gisela spends the winter months here in Stockholm and comes here often to be near her family.

Music: I Have a Dream
by ABBA (one of Sweden's most famous exports)