Our days in Arvika (Post from Pete & Eric)

Arvika has been our western-most city visited in Sweden. It is a city of approximately 25,000 people. It's main employer is Volvo Wheel Loaders, Thermia, and Coffee Queen. Each of us had an opportunity for two vocational days this week, which was most informative. We thank everyone who took time out of their days to be with us.

Tomorrow, we are off to Örebro, but not before a quick stop back in Karlstad for a lunch Rotary meeting presentation, and another stop in Karlskoga for a tour of the Nobel Museum.

Dick Johansson, the third-generation owner of Klässbols, provided us a tour of the factory where they make pure linen textiles. They are most known for their table cloths and napkins they make for the annual Nobel prize dinner in Stockholm.

Here are Fredrik and Roland, our Arvika hosts, ourside the Thermia factory (they produce heat pumps).

One crazy fika? Fredrik Ekman, Arvika's GSE Coordinator, hosted the team for coffee and cakes (called fika in Sweden) at his home. Fredrik's family has a miltary history so Cassie and Pete tried on some of the head gear.

Tuesday evening, our team was treated to a sail boat trip from Roger and Lotta Sylvén. Lotta was a GSE team member who was in Nebraska in April.

A view from the island to the mainland.

Cassie and Kristi on the isalnd we sailed to.

Kristi and Joe on the sail boat.

Captain, Roger, and Co-Captain, Anton (Lotta & Roger's son) took us on their 38' sail boat.

Wednesday morning, we visited Brunskogs Hembygdsgård, a living museum just outside Arvika. They have brought old buildings in from around Sweden to preserve the country’s history.

For lunch, we had Nävgröt med fläsk och lingon (translated: porridge with bacon and lingonberries). This was the ‘normal’ meal the working people would have eaten. We enjoyed it with mixed reviews. It is definitely a heavier meal than we are use to.