2nd of August, 2022.
Hitchhiking in Sweden.
This spot is not very good because the cars don’t really have a place to park. But there is no other place.
A young man going to Rättvik stops. At first, I think he is nice, but at some point, he says something like, that he doesn’t really see the purpose of travelling around the world, just going to “see” a place and then going back. Plus, he says that there is so much for him to see in Sweden, that he would rather do that. I understand it is his opinion, but come on! Not like traveling is one thing, but thinking that it is not a big deal discovering the world, this whole big and wonderful planet we live, with so many different possibilities, people, places, tastes, and etc, it is a bit too much for me to understand. Besides, I have heard that speech before about “going around my country first”. Most of these people never actually do that.
In Rättvik there is a very long bridge (almost like a pier) going into an artificial island. Apparently the longest one in Europe to be built only with cash they collect from the community. The name of the people who helped building the bridge is carved in the woods of it. Nice!
It is actually a very cute town! But here, ladies and gentleman, I have to make a confession of something bad I have done. Unfortunately, I will have this bad memory from Rättvik with me. I forget my beautiful sign saying “Sundborn” on that guy’s car. So, when I see a COOP when I am walking outside of town, I decide to go there and grab another cardboard so I can make a new sign. But then I also remember about some delicious cookies I had with Yasin, in his motorhome. And he said it was only 1 Euro. Because I have some coins, I decide to buy some cookies. The things is having to pay with Euros in the supermarket makes the price for the package go up to actually two Euros. I should have given up of it, of course, and just walk away from the shop, but I didn’t, I bought the god damn it cookies. After all, I felt so bad and so ashamed, that I wish I have never done it. I am quite sure now that, from now on, I will not be able to buy any food, or anything, which is not extremely necessary.
Another not so good hitchhiking spot. But a car pulling a trailer actually stops. There is a man and woman inside and they are so sweet. Mykail and Anna are going to Fallun. When we talk about my travels they get really surprised and impressed about what I am doing. Anna is so supportive and she says I inspire her. How sweet! They are both from very traditional villages. Anna is from Våmhus, where they make baskets called korgar, and they are made out of wood, plus some very traditional jewelry made out of hair. Hair! Mykail is from the village where they make the Dala horses, which is called Nusnäs.
They want to help me so much that they decide to drive me all the way to Sundborn, even though they are just going to Fallun. That is so sweet! We take a photograph in front of the Carl Larsson Garden.
Now, I have very mixed feelings about my visit to Carl Larsson Garden. When I arrive and start talking with a lovely lady called Linda, she tells me that they received my email. First of all, why they didn’t reply? Then she calls someone in charge, another lady. And after I quickly resume to her about my request, she tells me something like “that we could not live in a world without money”. Of course we could! We did it already! And that is what I should have told her. But I tried to be polite because I really wanted to visit the museum. I know, that sucks, right? Anyway… I just reinforced to her my opinion about how we are producing way more things than we actually need, in every single area, and that’s why I try not to use cash, not to buy anything, but just live out of what is already there.
I don’t know if it was that or what, but she tells Linda to show me one of the rooms. And that is something else I didn’t know about the place: they arrange small group of tourists coming in, so they can have a guide going with them.
The museum is nothing else than Carl’s and his family house. Linda shows me the living room and explains a lot to me about his life. I think I never learnt so much about somebody’s life in five minutes. I really like his work and it seems he has done a lot for the community. His wife, Karin, was also an artist, doing some work with sewing and also wood. Actually, Carl also was working with wood and other materials. The living room is amazing! A big and super high room, beautifully decorated and with a lot to learn from his work and life.
I then walk through the garden, which is for free. When I am about to leave, Linda asks me if I would like some apples from the garden. And she goes herself to pick some for me. How sweet! She also shows me in the map places where I can go around Sundborn.
Just around the corner of Carl’s house, there is a power station. It was built by his suggestion, after realizing that the strength of the water in this part was very strong and could be used. I sit by the reservoir to have my lunch. The remains of my bread, a Coke which Mykail gave to me, and one apple.
I drop off The Hulk by some bushes and walk all the way to the church, which have some paintings by Carl. The street which leads to the church is so cute! Some super lovely houses, Swedish style, and their beautiful garden, well looked after. Everything is super green and peaceful. You can see some huge houses also, just across the river, which you can follow to the church.
When I walk inside it is “wow!”. The benches are turquoise and all connected, almost like a box, and displayed in a cross shaped over the church. The paintings do not impress me that much, but the whole project looks beautiful!
I come back and grab my backpack. I cross the bridge and walk just a bit to get outside the town and start hitchhiking again.
10 Years Around the World 