Neatly plowed green fields roll past us. I’ve always wondered what shade of green those fields are. The artist in me always does; wondering how much burnt sienna to mix in with yellow ochre and aquamarine blue to come up with that exact green hue. A task I know is impossible to accomplish yet a mental exercise I enjoy nonetheless.
I casually glance over my left shoulder at the back seat. Those same green fields are rolling over my mom’s black sunshades, her head gently resting backwards on the car seat. Thin white wires run from her ears down to the iPod hidden beneath her scarf. She is listening to her own African soundtrack personalized for the undulating Swedish countryside; a mix of strong drum beats with the occasional synthesized voice singing in Pidgin English as we pass Falu red cottage after barn after cottage strewn across the landscape.
Dad is sitting to her right, glancing out the right back window. His brows are furrowed with concern, his cellphone at his ear, listening as another excuse is being made over the line. An international phone call from Nigeria; it seems another contractor or employee or family member hasn’t delivered on their promise as his brows have been furrowed for the last 100 or so kilometers.
I turn back to Urban who is driving; his eyes never leaving the road.
“This is crazy,” I say. “They’re in Norrbotten.”
Highlights
The last few days have been spent crisscrossing Northern Sweden with my parents. In town visiting from Nigeria, we decided to take them on a 13-14 hour road trip up along the Gulf of Bothnia and Höga Kusten (High Coast) to visit in-laws up north. With 37 pages of roughly scribbled notes and observations in my little journal (which will go into personal essays), it’s safe to say we had some amazing experiences.
Here are just a few:
- Finally taking my parents to the Arctic circle where mom uttered the most memorable words of the entire trip…”So where is it?” she asked, glancing around and looking for some “arctic circle.”
- Taking a moose farm detour and proudly watching dad conquer his fear while mom refused to get closer for fear of being eaten by a moose.
- Visiting the summer stuga (cottage) of my extended family, riding in a small dinghy boat around the lake, and fishing out baby sea bass and random seaweed.
- Sampling all what Norrbotten had to offer food-wise including reindeer meat, trying all forms of lax (salmon) and daring to eat surströmming once again.
- Hiking around and checking out Storforsen where the geologist in my dad emerged once more.
- Finishing off the last evening of our trip on a floating Falu red cottage amidst a pristine lake; the only sound for miles being our collective breathing.
Photo Gallery
I took close to a 1000+ photographs in just 5 days, so I’ve selected 89 shots to share:
- View Northern Sweden Gallery (89 photos).
Shot with my Nikon D300 and two new favorite lenses – Nikkor 16-85mm and 35mm
@Leigh, Girl In DC, Shirl – Thanks!
@Erica – Höga Kusten is a beautiful, relaxing drive up to Norrbotten. You should visit that part of the country. Thanks for checking out my art site. I really need to focus more on it.
Your photos are breath taking! Thank you for sharing them.
i love it! absolutely!
I haven’t seen Höga Kusten or much of northern Sweden myself so I enjoyed looking through your photos. Reminds me of a thought I had the other day of how fortunate we are here in Sweden to live close to nature and fresh air.
By the way, I checked out your art website as well. I didn’t know you painted! I love how beautifully you use color. Especially like Santorini.
Fantastic photos, Lola. Thanks for sharing them but especially the stories with your parents.
@Abbie – For real
@Nick – You totally crack me up.
@Sophie – Tack!
@Mike – You rock!
@Nancy – Thanks so much.
@Sonya – The part of the world is still so unexplored and beauty.
@Candice – All the colorful houses, indeed!
@Margo – You’re so sweet.
Thanks everyone.
Mag. Ni. Fi.Cent! Both photos and descriptions are freakin’ warm and lovely 🙂
Wow, you’re right, the place kinda reminds me of Newfoundland! Gorgeous.
Absolutely stunning photos! These wonderful images make me want to go back to northern Sweden.
These are gorgeous, Lola! I love picturing you, the Urb, and your family on a road trip. All of the photos look like paintings. Just beautiful. Great introduction too, totally took me into the moment.
Beautiful photos; shared with a few million friends!
Kjempefine bilder!
What gorgeous photos; I love how homely a lot of them feel. And I’m not surprised you always think about how to mix the colours – so many of the pics do actually look like paintings!
Brilliant introduction, too. But… are you telling me there is no circle at the Arctic Circle? What a waste – I’m striking that from my bucket list immediately!
love it! my mom would totally ask the same question about the arctic circle lol.
@Everyone – Thanks!
@Juliane – Urb is actually 6ft 3in and looks a lot taller next to me and my parents.
@Neha – It was pretty cool getting up close to the moose. Since they were so tall, much taller than my husband, my only view was from below.
@Eileen – That was what made the whole situation funnier. The fact that they’re actually vegetarian 🙂
Loved them all, especially your description of your parents and where they were in their minds while journeying up to the arctic circle. I love the one of the moose from below, have never seen that angle before. And many more. Thanks for bringing us with you for a minute! Also glad your mother didn’t get eaten by a moose. FWIW, I believe they’re vegetarian.
Amazing photos Lola. Amazing. My fav is the moose eating a banana. I have a bookmark that looks a lot like it 🙂
Wow, these photos are incredible Lola! And your parents are so photogenic! (And Urb looks like The Tallest Man in the World ha)
@Carlo – Haha. Thanks! They had a fantastic time and tried so many new things. Really something.
I can see why you took 1000+ photos. it looks gorgeous there. I want to go! Beautiful photos. I especially like 34…with the wind/umbrella.
I love the intro too, the car scene…and your mom about the arctic circle. Classic! So did they enjoy it though?