SCANDINAVIA

                     General Impressions

      Except for Finland, that is on the Euro, each country has its own currency and about 5-6 crowns equal 1 US dollar. Americans were welcome everywhere and English is common. The tourist industry is booming and all the capitals accommodate cruise ships.

           In summer, daylight hours are long. Cities and restrooms are spotlessly clean.     Each city had numerous parks and there is lots of statuary in towns, made from granite or bronze. Buildings are of stone and outdoor cafés are popular. Although public transport is good, fast, and efficient, the major cities are very walkable and easily seen on foot. Cars and trucks tend to be small, but buses are large tourist ones. One rarely hears a car horn. Cabs take credit cards.

            Open air fresh produce and fish markets are in all cities. We were actually encouraged to make a sandwich for lunch at breakfast---A first! Hotel beds all had duvets and it was common to see men with ponytails.

        
 Helsinki is a low-rise city with wide streets, but watch the drivers who would just as soon   run you over as not. Do not assume the driver will stop if you step into the street! Winter winds blow ice to the area so ice breakers are commonly seen working. Finns are not chocolate eaters but like licorice which comes in many flavors.

  In Copenhagen bicycles are everywhere. The Danish are friendly. The city is full of gorgeous architecture. Picturesque thatched roofs are common in the countryside. In the city one will pay to pee. The Stroget is the famous mile-long pedestrian shopping area.

Sweden is very expensive. It is common to see people eating while walking along the street. It seems everyone was smoking. The drivers were more pedestrian friendly than in Finland. The harbor was full of boats, both moored and sailing.

 Norway was also full of smokers. It is also a very expensive country for the tourist. The streets are narrow and there are a few high-rise buildings. Drivers are courteous and give pedestrians a break. Fountains in parks were a big thing. The city is full of chestnut trees. Public restrooms were frequent. Mornings started out misty but it cleared mid morning. Restaurants were not service oriented---or at least we didn’t find any that were. The country is full of tunnels and they were all dry! The Danes know how to build tunnels!

      It was interesting to observe each city’s idiosyncrasies. This trip was a pleasant respite from the Texas summer heat!Lots more info on each country to come.