May 1st a political holiday celebrated with parades and speaches.

Even though spring can take a long time arriving in Norrbotten (north Sweden where I was borne) the migratory birds have been here for weeks. Luleå is on perhaps the most important path of flight for European birds that are on their way up to northern Lappland to nest.

Spring is short in Luleå - some say there is no spring here. You can practically hear the leaves bursting. It has to be experienced to be believed!

The link below showa a map of Sweden. Do you find Luleå in north and Göteborg in south? Make a click on the map and see it enlarged.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe/sweden_pol96.jpg