Sweden and Finland 2015

In April, I had work trips to Stockholm and to Finland.  In Stockholm, I gave a talk at the Stockholm School of Economics.  The night before I visited a friend of LBJ's, who happened to be visiting us in Dublin the weekend before.  So it was nice to have a casual dinner with people I knew to start the trip.  The talk and visit went well, although the talk was not well attended (a combination of people traveling and out sick, I was told).  Still, I got a few good comments.

Because my flight the next day was not until 5pm, I took the opportunity to do some sightseeing (as I'd never been to Stockholm before).  My main activity was the Vasa Museum, devoted to a boat that sank on its first voyage in 1628.  It is amazing how well preserved it is:

The ship in its museum

I also enjoyed a brief walk around the neighborhood near the museum.  If I had more time (and been visiting in summer), I would have taken a boat cruise - would have been a great way to see a bit more of the city.  Instead, I walked and took a couple of streetcars.  Maybe I'll visit the Nobel Prize Museum even though the prize in economics is not technically a Nobel.

Just another view of the water in Stockholm

The only downside of the trip was that my flight home was cancelled.  So I was put up in a mediocre hotel in the middle of nowhere, when all I wanted was to get home and see my family.  Instead, I took an 8am flight the next day.  I have had missed connections or cancellations 2 of the 3 times I have flown SAS. Grrr (but it's the only non-stop option to Stockholm).

Just a few days later, I was back to Northern Europe, with a trip to Finland to visit and work with my co-authors there.  I spent a day in Helsinki before taking the train north to Jyvaskyla (ugh, can't figure out how to add symbols in Safari - sorry).  I also gave a talk there (same paper as in Stockholm).

Water view in Jvaskyla, near the University

It was a good and productive visit, and it was nice to see a bit of the Finnish countryside.  I joked that Jyvaskyla is the Cedar Rapids of Finland (my family lives in CR), but, to be honest, Jyvaskyla is prettier with the lakes.  Again, it would have been nice to visit in the summer and get out on the water.

Yet another picture of the water (Jyvaskyla)

After this trip, I was happy to be back in Dublin with no travel plans until the end of May.

Oh, one last thing.  I discovered in Stockholm these robots that will mow your lawn for you.  I thought that was pretty cool, although a bit expensive.  It appears that they sell them in Ireland, too.  Once I win the lottery ....

Robot lawn mowers in Stockholm airport