So the time had come to visit the North, starting with Sweden. I thought, where else to start then it's trendy, hipster, green, vintage, cool and sparkling capital. And a good thought it was, oh I can't wait to tell you about this unique little adventure of mine. Let's go back to december 2017, somewhere in Stockholm...
As you may have read in my preparation for Stockholm post, I already 'met' some people from the city itself before I went on my trip. I really wanted to discover the city and experience the culture the best as possible. It seemed to me that the best way to do that, was to ask the locals how to Swede. Or better said, how to Stockholm. Because oh boy, what a culture the city itself has.
Where modern meets vintage
If you are a lover of unique architecture you can eat your heart out in Stockholm. For some reason the buildings seemed like an Amsterdam-Zürich combination to me, but that view didn't last long. From my cute little boat hotel (located in the beautiful Södermalm, but we get to that later) I had the best view over the waters. I've always been a little sceptic about Google picture results when I searched for Stockholm.
Well, I can tell you, that is exactly what you are going to see, but better!
One of the most beautiful places to visit is Gamla Stan; which literally means: Old town.
For me it was just a few minutes walk, but it's also easily accessible with public transport. The public transportation is really well organized in Stockholm and I strongly recommend you to purchase a week-travel-card. It gives you unlimited access to everywhere in Stockholm, using all kinds of transportation.
But let's get back to Gamla Stan, with all it's beauty and glory. Besides beautiful and unique architecture you will find lot's of nice stores and cafés to fulfill all your touristic needs. Well, you won't feel like a tourist at all I could tell you. When I walked through the old 'Venetia-like' streets, I couldn't find any touristic-made-in-China-supplied shop, which made me feel like a local for a moment.
I also had the luck on my side by visiting during Christmas, which gave me the chance to visit the Christmas markets and the largest Christmas tree in the world!
Fika's and wine
Besides visiting nice streets, feeling a real tourist in the ABBA museum and overhearing Swedish conversations on the streets, I also wanted to take part in a typical Swedish tradition; Fika. Visit a nice café between lunch and dinnertime and you will see what I mean. Oh how lovely the coffee's with cinnamon breads are. Soon you will be surrounded by Swedes who join the same café as you for a Fika.
As a wine lover by heart I obviously wanted to go out. I can tell you three things about the nightlife in Stockholm. It's classy, it's safe and it's terribly expensive. Make sure you bought a bottle of wine or a nice amount of beers at the Systembolaget (because they don't sell alcohol in the stores) and enjoy these with your new Swedish friends in the hotelroom. After that, you're good to go. Oh, and dress nice (not that I had any problems with that), keep in mind that you're in a fancy environment.
I was also very lucky to try the warm Glögg at the Christmas market. My face says enough ^
The Swedes
The reason I waited with this part is because I wanted to safe the best for last. And yes, it is, because the Swedes are really one of a kind. In a good way! They mind seem shy as soon as you visit the country, but don't let that scare you away. Swedish people are very polite, reserved and raised to be 'politically correct'. Whenever you are openend to adapt to their culture (which in my opinion is a very naturally thing to do when you're in another country) you will discover the beauty of the Swedish culture very soon.
It already started in the first train, from the airport to the city. For a Dutchy like me, the silence was 'loud'. Even overcrowded buses and trains where as silence that I can actually hear myself breath. In my opinion, that was a therapy on itself.
Then keep in mind that it's considered as a really uncomfortable and weird thing to make eye-contact on the streets. I have to admit that this was something I was afraid of before I went on the trip, but it's not as hard as it may sound. You'll see that whenever you try to adapt, it will become natural in no time.
But most of all; when you meet a Swede, you have most likely made a true friend there. Their politeness and once 'the alcohol meets the Swede' humor worked addicting on me and I can safely say that I made a few friend in just the scarce time I've been there.
Obviously I fell in love with Stockholm and I'm definitely not done talking about it. So stay tuned if you want to explore Stockholm's nature with me, because that's a subject that earns it's own post. More pictures can be find in the Stockholm album.
With love,
Nicole
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