I didn’t do much research on what I ought to see in Essen. Instead I just let my hosts show me what they thought was interesting in the region. And that is definitely the best way to travel, because it means I got taken to amazing things I would never have chosen on my own…like the German Mining Museum!
The Vasa launched with great fanfare on 10 August 1628. With a ship crowded with crew and visitors it sailed past waterfronts crammed with ordinary people, royals, and visiting dignitaries, gun ports open for a triumphant salvo as it departed Stockholm. And then it fell over and sank.
I’m in Europe! Starting with Sweden! I cut down on flying except for family back in 2018 due to climate change, so I never thought I’d make it to Europe. The original impetus for my visit is not a happy one, but I’m making joy out of tragedy. I’m also making the most out of the long flight across the world, and getting a nice detailed look at four spots in four countries as long as I’m here. First stop: Sweden! The wonderful Elisa of Isis Wardrobe (I learned on this trip that Isis is a childhood nickname because a young relative struggled to pronounce Elisa, and has nothing to do with the Egyptian goddess in her case) offered to host me in Stockholm. I’ve known Elisa through the historical costuming internet for at least 15 years now – back in the days when the community was based on message boards! We really got to know each other when she helped moderate the Historical Sew Fortnightly FB group for a couple of years. I’ve always …
