The sleek Arlanda train to the city center

We arrived at the Stockholm airport after dark and took the train into town. Check out the wood trim in the Arlanda Express. And free wifi on the train. We had been warned against taking just any taxi when we arrived in town at the train station. I think we managed to insult four taxi drivers, obstinately saying “We want a black taxi! A black taxi!” until we settled on a dark blue one. The ride to the hotel took five minutes and cost 20 bucks.

We arrived at the Grand hotel and were ushered to our room. We do not want to brag, but we are pretty certain we have discovered a new type of room. Let’s just say that in all our previous observations of hotel rooms in Europe, none have had the characteristics listed here. And we could find no record of such rooms in the literature. (Most papers seem to focus on diminutive high density rooms and the amount of people/luggage that might be inserted into them safely before they collapsed due to gravity.) It might also be a room that formed in some other environment and migrated here later in its life.

Cheese sandwich lunch served on our flight from Munich to Stockholm

After a slight contretemps, we have arrived in Stockholm! At the airport in Chicago, we found out that I had a seat on the plane, but Peter did not. Fortunately, the overbooked airline was offering an incentive to take a later flight. We were rebooked on Lufthansa. We sat together in two middle seats. (Grumble, not feeling the luxury yet.) We arrived bleary eyed in Munich after watching too many trashy movies on the flight. (Did I really need to watch ‘Monaco’? And parts of ‘Cowboys and Aliens’?)Went through passport control and discovered tea stations! Well, technically, these also served coffee. But the little luxury of green tea was most welcome.

Non-miniature pen and notebooks

I also discovered a paper store. All airports need a paper store. You never know when you might have a paper or pen emergency. Nobel laureate wants to sign your Nobel program? Rats, no pen. See? This store had miniature pens and colorful booklets made just to fit in miniature purses. One the other hand, I do not anticipate ever having a Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, or Rolex emergency.

The suits are dry-cleaned, the gowns are tailored. The preparation for this trip has felt like a veritable campaign. I had to squeeze in gown shopping between prep for my classes. A vintage Halston gown here, a blue cocktail dress there. Peter was interviewed for the student newspaper while being measured for white tie and tails. (Let’s hope the regalia waiting for him in Sweden fits.) Friends and family have all participated in a wardrobe that rivals our wedding finery. With each styling suggestion, each offer of loaned jewelry and clothes, we have felt the support and shared excitement of our friends and family.

“Subject: Welcome to the 2011 Nobel Week events in Stockholm!

Dear guest of Professor Schmidt,”

Peter and I are off to Stockholm in a few days. We have been warmed by your congratulations and recognition of his contribution to the science that lead to this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics. Come back to this site for updates on Nobel week activities.