Sweden

I'm so tuckered out, I'm only giving a cursory update to say:

I'm 100 km south of the arctic circle, and it is so green and beautiful.  I have taken some pictures and will post them when I return.  I'm working really hard at this conference, but I am really enjoying it.  I feel like I am contributing something significant.  Also, they feed us well.  We are staying at a converted farmhouse at the northern tip of the Gulf of Bothnia.  The birches are turning gold.  There is a consistent understory of vaccinium spp., noticeably shorter at this high latitude, that is edging towards fuschia.  The air is cool, but the forest is so lush I can't believe that we are this far north.  There is thick moss and huge mushrooms among the lingonberry shrubs.

The proprietress stopped by my room to change a light bulb, and she offered me fresh baked focaccia and tea, out of the oven in half an hour.

Sleep now.