Today was awesome! Maria and I started the day by going to Framtiden ('the future'), an epic flea market five minutes outside of Helsingborg. I bought way too much amazing crap, but that's ok, because I bought a second suitcase, too! I very much look forward to getting home and listening to my 45 of Swedish men singing Hank Williams' "Jambalaya" in my fuschia dress with silver trim. Oh, and I got one of those awesome nut grinders, yay!
Afterwards we met up with Kalle again and took our American soccer mom-mobile (a Chrysler station wagon, awesome!) way up north to Mölle, where there is a nature preserve and a very special beach, for a picnic.
The flag of the Skåne region of Sweden is a combination of the Danish and Swedish flags, because at various times it has been a part of either country and also an independent nation in its own right.
We took about a twenty-minute hike out to the beach.
Along the way we passed these traditional farm houses:
I took a Swedish metal picture in the woods for Pranjal:
Maria and Kalle on the trail:
Some totem poles! OK, maybe not authentic but fun all the same:
A little beetle that has a beautiful blue belly (don't worry, this one was alive!):
Here's our destination! This incredible maze of tunnels, pathways, and towers was built entirely out of driftwood by this crazy artist named Lars Viljks. He also has his own country where you can apply for citizenship and choose your own title (ie Lord, Empress, Grand Inquisitor). Oh, and he made a dog sculpture in the image of Mohammed in a roundabout in Helsingborg. The Muslim community was not amused (not only are dogs considered unclean in Islam, but it is forbidden to create a 'graven image' of the prophet) and a price of his body weight in gold was placed on his head.
Check out this crazy cloud!
Viljks also made this smaller structure out of bricks and mortar on the same beach:
He placed a lot of random things in the mortar, such as a pitchfork:
He also placed some personal items in the mortar in little secret alcoves. It forces you to really be present and look at the work, it's incredible! Kalle says his wedding ring is in there somewhere, but I didn't see it. Here's what I did see: a watch...
some keys...
a bobby pin...
and the jawbone of a horse!
We were flabberghasted when Lars himself popped up with his toolbelt to maintain the driftwood structure. He's your standard-issue aloof Swede, with some crazy thrown in.
In one of the driftwood tunnels, he's nailed some books to the walls. It's a cool little place to sit and read if you so desire.
Mom, look away now! I decided to climb one of the towers, undeterred by the howling winds that were creating spectacular waves. Like the brick structure, the driftwood sculptures enforce a sense of being in the moment- there is no one 'path' to take, and no clear markings where one should step. In that sense, you truly forge your own path. I really liked it!
Your father stinks of elberberries! I fart in your general direction!
Neee!
Tomorrow I leave my beloved Sweden to go to Copenhagen for the day! Then on to Berlin, the last leg of my journey.
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