The City of Stockholm

Stockholm as seem from the ferry to Estonia

After visiting the city of Stockholm a total of nine times since living in Sweden its probably about time I wrote something about it. Only 70 km from Uppsala its only 45 minutes away on the train, although if you own a hayabusa and balls of steel like uppsala's own Ghost Rider you can do it in a crisp 15 minutes as seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Y4kcpm6nM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0flRAlwrlc&feature=related

the first dosage of beauty in Stockholm comes wrapped up in the chaotic calm of central station, where the madness which can be found in any European train station is met with the unsurpassed composure of the Swedish. It is like a giant dance is taking place beneath the spring sun as it filters through the roof arching majestically over its occupants. In winter this scene is a whitewash of black, as a sea of woolen coats that all look the same jostle for recognition as being slightly more fashionable than the high-fashion coat adorned by a neighboring citizen. Then when spring arrived this is balanced out perfectly by the sea of bright colours, that only Europe can provide.

This amazing city, built atop 14 islands, is where cutting edge modernity lives in perfect harmony with lavish history epitomized by a monastery from 1270. But I won't attempt to compete with Wikipedia here for history lessons, but rather only enforce the fact that Stockholm is a place where we should all see at least once in our lifetime. Walking through Gamla Stan, the old town located on an island which is easily navigated to by following the horizon dotted with church spires, is an experience which never tires. Old buildings on all sides seem to arch over the crooked cobbled streets like a mother shielding a child from harm, until they suddenly give way to the vast open courtyards of squares and castles.


Gamla Stan

Then to match the beauty above ground is a world class subway. And to compare the subway in stockholm to say, the subway in New York is like comparing a new car with an old car - they both get you from A to B but they just don't smell the same. This really comes in handy when traveling around the city checking out the 70 museums that it boasts, my personal favourite being the Nobel Prize Museum which honours one of Stockholms finest assets - the Nobel Prize Ceremony. Still got a few left to go though..


Catching up with Lotta and Cajsa for lunch

My only advice is this: if its subway for lunch you seek, be prepared to spend some time hunting for one. Cheers Stockholm and Lotta and Cajsa it was wicked to see you guys..