Day 13 - Vasa Museum, Shopping, Closing Circle and Final Concert
The morning started out later than usual because of the late night returning from Blidö. Everyone enjoyed the hostel breakfast buffet once again and then loaded the bus for the morning activities. First stop was the Vasa Museum. Upon our arrival we slipped into the theater to watch a movie about the story behind the ship. If you don't know the history of this ship, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_(ship). The museum is really well done with displays showing what life was life back then and what life on the ship would have been like. The ship is so big that the museum has seven different levels to view the ship and to view displays.
The park outside the Vasa Museum was a perfect spot to stop for another sandwich lunch. Peanut butter and banana sandwiches definitely have become the big hit among the kids while Chef Chris puts his special spin on the PB and banana by throwing some Nutella in as well. What a combo!
Everyone loaded back on the bus and headed to Gamla Stan to spend an hour doing some speed shopping in a pedestrian area with lots of tourist type shops. Everyone took advantage of the time to get last minute souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home.
From Gamla Stan we headed back to the hostel to pick up our gear for the evening and to walk a block up the hill to a park for the closing circle. As usual, the closing circle was a special time to share what the tour and the last year meant to everyone. Many tears of joy were shed. The kids broke out their gifts to the chaperones including Chris' viking hat with braids and Bob and Sue's Swedish couple dolls.
The bus ride to Sofia Kyrka across town should have been quick and easy but between traffic and a wrong turn or two, it became an hour long adventure. The bus had been sitting in the sun most of the day and the temperatures had crept up outside and in particular inside the bus. The entire bus was much like a sauna, the upper level in particular. Even with the air conditioning on high, everyone was melting and by the time we arrived at the church everyone poured out to get some cool fresh air. The kids zipped inside for a walkthrough before coming out for a McDonalds dinner while the church had an evening mass.
The concert was well attended including many family and friends of the kids. Sofia Kyrka is one of the major churches in Stockholm and is over a century old. It is larger than many of the other churches we have performed in over the last two weeks but the kids filled every inch of it with sound. The concert was another impactful experience for the audience and heartfelt expressions of gratitude were made by many after the concert.
Upon returning to the hostel, many of the kids were amped from the final concert and took some time to tackle packing while spending the final night with friends and talking about their favorite tour experiences.
