In Sweden Again

So I arrived back in Sweden and took the train north with my pops. The following pictures are deceiving, taken in the short snatches of sunshine. The summer so far has been cold and blustery and rainy with the occasional bout of hail or sun shower. Nevertheless, I like trains.

The North

Picking out flowers at the market with my mother

Scrubbing the floorboards with soap and water. There is nothing like the crisp smell of soap.

Heartland

This was my flat in the last days, unpacked and completely messy.

These are some pictures taken in Yishun when I went to visit my good friend Jana.

Goodnight, goodnight.

From the Top

Ow! Hot! Ow! Ow!

Yes, you may admire me for my snappy dressing.

After Church

After church, Sister Sofia, Jana, Micah, Reb, and I all set out for coffee in a shop in Chinatown. We were joined by Hannah. I had a tea and a chocolate cake. Highly recommended.

Reb is pleased with her strawberry shake.

Micah does not use gel. He does not use wax. No, ladies and gentlemen, he uses pomade.

The streets of Chinatown

I found a pigeon.

The Sofia speaks consoling words. "Yes, tiny citizen. I am here to protect you. You're welcome."

Dragon Kiln

On a very rainy Saturday, a brave troupe of friends set out for the only two existing dragon kilns in Singapore. It was warm and wet, but the kilns did not disappoint.

This is the bottom of the dragon kiln where the fires are stoked. The dragon kiln is always built on a hill, and the heat of the fire at the bottom rises up to warm the rest of the kiln.

We carried on to the next dragon kiln by hiking through a muddy field and an unopened park. The Thow Kwang dragon kiln is still family-run and is consequently in a much better state of repair. The family sells ceramics of an assortment of colours and sizes, and some potters work out of the back of the studio.

The dragon kiln is revered, and the owners have set out joss sticks and offerings on top of it.

A very sad-looking masterpiece in the back of the shop

I bought this cup and I got to meet its maker. I was very excited.

We got to talking with one of the artists, and he revealed that his sculptures had been commissioned for the yet-unopened park. The above works were inspired by termite mounds. All in all, an excellent way to round off the day.