My goal at the start of this trip was simple. Post a blog on Sweden. Then a few days later, post another one on Norway. Sometimes, plans go astray. A quick flight from Stockholm to Oslo, a train ride, then another train, then a bus ride, and then a half hour car ride, and finally, we ended up in Sandefjord. And as soon as we were given our own Viking helmets, I knew Sandefjord deserved its own post. A beautiful coastal city of 60,000 about ninety minutes south of Oslo, it is the home of Continue Reading
Sweden KOTT Stop #1
When I ask you to think of products that come from Sweden, what comes to mind? Any of the following? Volvo Cars Absolute Vodka Pacemakers IKEA Bluetooth Technology Dynamite These are just some of their more remarkable contributions. But perhaps my favorite is... ABBA. That’s right, the flashy pop band that burst onto the scene in the 70’s when they won a European music contest. “We can’t expect to win but we can at least be memorable” was their philosophy when they donned their Continue Reading
Trip Planning 101
If you’ve ever taken a trip beyond the end of your block, you know some degree of planning is required. The magnitude of planning is exponentially increased when four different languages, four different currencies, and multiple weeks are involved. When planning a trip like this, there are two primary strategies. Identify a tour that meets your interests and needs. Pay once, pack, show up. (Despite internet deals, I still maintain travel agents are the best resource for this.) Plan it Continue Reading
Colonoscopies – A right-of-passage
Imagine you’re a ninth grader taking a standardized test. One of the questions is a list, and you have to select which choice isn’t like the others. Driverless cars Face Transplants Drones that deliver packages Robotic hands that respond to voice commands Colonoscopy Prep Items 1-4 are the result of advances in technology, health and science. Number 5? Not so much. Not since the first colonoscopies were performed in 1969 has the process for cleaning out the colon for a good Continue Reading