I stayed with the other tourists
except for the time when the ship neared Gothenburg harbor after a three hour
trip. I’m a sucker for duty free bitter
sweet chocolate and pound cake after my five week back packing experience in 1972 –
especially after going hungry in France.
On deck I was wearing my poncho and a utility cover because it was
raining. I was listening at the screws
turning and waiting for the fog to lift in order to get my first glimpse of
Sweden. As we passed the rocky shoals to
the starboard and into the harbor, I had another rare attack of déjà vu, this
time it was really strong; like I'd been there before at this exact spot. About the same time there occurred an opening
in the clouds and I beheld a double rainbow which arched over the ship from
port to starboard. It was a spiritual
moment and more than just someone coming home after many years.
I quickly found a room with some
other tourists who were also booking and I immediately set out for the local
shopping center. Before long, an English
bum approached me to get a handout. Without
me saying a word he had identified me as American and I never figured out how
he did it. Perhaps it was the style of
my glasses or maybe I just looked American.
When strangers start acting chummy, always check your wallet.
Tourists quickly notice the explicitness
of the Swedish advertising media at the newsstands. Nudity is common and no discretion is given
to women's products in context, even
on giant outdoor billboards. The stores
sell parts of cattle that would make Americans blush and become queasy. There was a large supermarket (I think it was
called Tasco) with long rows of refrigerated meats prominently displayed. I soon discovered whatever is
under-the-counter here in the United States, it’s over-the-counter there:
mountain oysters, brains, etc. I uncomfortably
remember one lady in particular who was gingerly examining a bull’s private
parts like it was Sunday night’s roast.
I didn't think too much of
Gothenburg because it was too industrial for me, but in fairness I wasn’t
planning a long stay in Sweden at this point because Norway was my next stop in
my circular route, besides, I would eventually end up back in Sweden after Norway.
