June 29, 2026Somewhere between Oslo and Stockholm

Day 0 - Looking Forward by Going Backwards (??)

How's the trip going?

It has been an adventure!

Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich was our stopover and our opportunity to get our feet we with how things worked in Europe. Interestingly enough, it was the only place where they checked our passports. The mission was to find a particular chocolate shop in old town Zurich. So off to the train we rode. Come to find out, we should know which direction we should take the train. As we were riding, we noticed the stops weren't looking like we were expecting. I approached a local who happened to be Filipina and asked for her help. And she was so sweet. She showed use exactly how to get back on course.

As we finally got off into the correct stop in town, we made our way through the cobblestone streets. Europe is currently going through a heatwave, and for some reason A/C isn't a thing here. Anyway, passing shops with coo coo clocks and twisting and turning cobblestone paths, we made our way searching for Max Chocolatier. Max's shop is a small boutique chocoalate shop, unassuming from the outside. Blink and you miss it, we didn't miss it. As we walked in, we were greeted by a sweet lady named Rikka. She wasn't the owner but loves her work at the shop. I ordered a affogato, becuase it was hot, and i like ice cream. As she gave us samples, she gave us a little bit of the history of the shop. The shop owner had a son who loved chocolates. His son wanted to be a chocolatier but his father knew it wouldn't happen. His son, Max, was born with down-syndrome. So, he decided to open "Max Chcolatier" for his son.

Filled with coffee, sugar, and a good story, we bid farewell to the nice chocolate shop in Zurich.

A Night in Stockholm

We arrived safely in Stockholm, albeit an hour late, so midnight Thursday morning. We only had one night here before we needed to head to Copenhagen. That first night was a bit rough. Tired, but not sleepy, we were completely jet lagged. But we forced our selves to sleep. We both woke up at dawn (like normal people do), but dawn in Scandanavia is 4AM. YES, THAT'S RIGHT, the sun is out at 4AM in the summer and it will not set until 10PM. Honestly, it was a nice and exciting welcome to Scandinavia. We dropped off our heavy checked in bag near Stockholm Central Station and double backed to Stockholm Arlanda airport to catch out flight to Copenhagen.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Technically our first destination. We landed safely in the afternoon and took the train to Hotel Petra. Apparently Petra's restaurant earned a Michelin star a few years ago. A side quest appeared after we stepped out our train and started walking to our hotel. The Danish take pride in their sausages. I had one of the tastiest hot dogs I've ever had in my life at a random cart selling hotdogs.

Scandinavia Bethel was the real reason we started in Denmark. The branch gave us delegates the opportunity to book a tour. From what I heard, all tours were booked within 2 days. The Scandinavia branch is home to 90 permanent Bethelites and 150 commuters. Getting to the Scandinavia branch was a bit difficult. It wasn't very intuitive to know where your train was leaving. We weren't alone in this as we met our first delegates who also missed their train. It was comforting though because we all met and travelled togther. Met a really nice young couple from Los Angeles. We clicked immediately.

Despite some challenges. We made it to our tour and we loved every minute of it. We toured the branch, learned about Swedens' and Norways' legal victories, and they Bethelites even sang for us. We also met the sweetest people volunteering in the branch - Tobias, Celine, and Jonas. (Take a look at the pics)

We had to end our tour short because our traveling was not over yet. We had to head back into Copenhagen to catch our boat. Next stop, Norway.

Oslo, Norway

Norway was familiar, yet foreign. Oslo in particular has beautiful architecture. Modern buildings juxtaposed to historical landmarks. It was beautiful, and impressive.

Vigeland Park was a vast, beautifully landscaped garden with bronze and granite art statues by Gustov Vigeland. A little awkward because every person depicted in his work at the park is completely naked. Not sexualized, but quite bare. So, you've been warned. It was a conscientious decision by Vigeland so that his work appeared timeless. And you can't tell what period it's from if they don't have any period specific clothing.

As a whole the complete works at the park speak to the cycles of life and death, the joys and sorrows in life, and eternity as a human race.

Oslo Tagalog - We visited the only Tagalog congregation in Norway. They are 31 publishers, 7 pioneers, 2 special pioneers. They welcomed us with open arms. Always heartwarming experiencing the hospitality of the brothers and sisters in the faith. I hope everyone gets to have this opportunity.

Thoughts?

Scandinavia is a beautiful place, but honestly, it's the people that we appreciate the most. It's crazy how someone you meet for the first time in suddenly becomes your brohter in a matter of hours. It's really what the Bible calles a "pure language". I dont' know any Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish, but to be able to speak a language of brohterly love is a most precious possession.