We had our first rainy day in Stockholm. When we headed out to the “Handy Bar that Daddy usually take me too” (Ellie’s name for the breakfast bar) it was clear and cool. We headed up for a while to watch Strawberry Shortcake and finish the laundry. When we came back out to the street we realized it had started to drizzle. So after a return trip to the room for raincoats we were off. Unfortunately for us our rain boots have already migrated to the apartment. Worse for David, he left in the morning without any raingear.
Ellie and I had two missions today. I was to find 18 screws. David believes longer screws will solve our lighting issues. So we were off to the hardware store. Inside of 15 minutes, we have found the correct screw without any assistance! Go us! Next we were off to have my passport photo made. These are required to get a Swedish identification card. David had his made the day before so we did have directions. On the way to Kungsholmn Foto, Ellie saw the holy grail of toddlers – McDonalds. So with a promise of return we were off to the photo shop. The photo place was quick, nice and expensive; where is a Walgreens when you need one. We were in and out in less than 5 minutes.
We did go to McDonalds for lunch. Ellie and I split a nuggets meal. She also got a strawberry milkshake. She has fallen in love with McDonalds milkshakes. I guess they taste the closest to what she thinks of as milk. We then had two hours until we needed to meet David at the bank. So we wandered around the neighborhood. We found a local bookstore that had a good selection of Swedish children’s books. They even had a small scrapbook section. We then wandered up to the local mall. We found a neat accessories shop that had some nice jewelry, dress-up kid’s clothes, hats, mittens and handbags. Ellie could have shopped there for hours. There was also a children’s clothing store. In less than 5 seconds, Ellie discovered the train set in the middle of the store.
Our meeting with the bank went really smoothly. Our bank contact had all of the paperwork drawn up. All we had to do was show originals of our passport and Swedish ID numbers and sign a few forms. Our Swedish visa debit card will show up in a few days. One also applies for a Swedish identification card through the bank. We filled out that application and will pick those up in 4-6 weeks. They have an interesting system for online banking. If you choose online banking, you get a key fob. When you log on to the bank site, you activate your key fob and enter your pin number. Then you enter the two numbers that the computer web site generates and the key fob gives you a third number that you then enter into the computer along with your ID number. Only then can you begin your banking session. The demo at the bank seemed really easy. Let’s hope it is as easy in real life.
Since David was off work a little early, we decided to go get me a cell phone. I have been borrowing his phone for the last few days so I would have something when I was wandering around the city. Normally, you have to live in Sweden for 5 years before you are allowed to get a contract (instead of pay as you go) cell phone plan. Certain phone companies will allow you with an employment contract to activate a phone once you have a Swedish ID number. We made our way in the pouring rain to the company we knew honored contracts. The area was really neat and we will have to explore more when we don’t have to swim. I now am the proud owner of a 4G I-phone. Now to see if I can figure out how to use it. I am excited to have a cool phone. Some of the apps will be really helpful – Google translator, the subway system, and GPS. Hopefully, this will decrease my overall confusion level. It took just over an hour to process my application for a phone.
While we waited, we swam out for supper. We had planned on grabbing a pizza on the way back to the room, not realizing we would have an hour to kill. Unfortunately, we had let Ellie in on the plan. One strange thing we have noticed about Stockholm, if you are do not have a 3 year-old that is set on pizza, you can’t swing a cat without finding a pizza place. As soon as you start looking for one, there are none to be found. Finally we stumbled on a Pizza Hut. Not very Swedish but made Ellie happy. Ellie had a barn pizza (child’s pizza) that came with ice cream. David had the pepperoni lover’s pizza. It had the first American style pepperoni we have come across here. I had a yummy dish called Lasagna Bites. It was delicious. The roll ups were stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese.
Our application was approved and we left the store with our new phone. The store even gave Ellie her own toy touch screen phone. The scary part is she started using it right away touching her finger to the screen and moving it around like one would navigate a real touch screen. All while riding the subway standing up.
One of the local malls
Ellie playing with the trains at the kids clothing store.
Green space in the middle of Stockholm.
Now we can FaceTime! All you need is wifi
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