Sauna...yet again!

October 8

We have been told repeatedly that Finland is origin of the sauna. Yesterday, we were given the fact that there are more saunas in Finland than cars. Not sure if that is true or not, but the other Nordic countries definitely are making their entry into the sauna tradition. Today's experience in Stockholm was of the self-serve variety. We needed to arrive early to light the fire and get it warmed up. It took awhile, but we got it there. We admired the compact uet inviting design. This sauna only had a dunk pool and it seems like the water has gotten colder with each experience! Brrr!

In the afternoon, we stopped for the Fika experience. We paused our day for coffee and a treat. We learned about this tradition and the popularity of plockgodis, the pick your own candy culture. Grocery stores and candy stores both have the bins to choose your own mix. 

Our afternoon was a mix of the curious and the underwhelming. Curious: we found the bank (now a hotel and clothing store) where the 1973 bank robbery took place in which the hostages began to sympathize with their captors, later termed the Stockholm Syndrome. The concierge at Nobis Hotel was very generous with his time. He showed us the place where gas holes were drilled to potentially gas the vault (now in the fitness room). He showed us the board room where the strategy meetings were held (now the conference room)and pointed out the buildings where snipers were placed. He also sent us in the direction of the adjoining store where the marble floors are original to the bank teller area. The actual vault is now a staff room, so we couldn't see that. Too bad! He said that every now and again people come in to ask about this event. We were very excited he gave us the time. Underwhelming: Nobel Prize Museum. It was mostly personal effects and anecdotes about various winners. Rooftop bar: Le Hibou. A rooftop bar where you see all the other rooftops. Nice atmosphere and creative presentation of drinks though.