Swede As

Hey-hey,

Which is how the Swedish say hello did you know. As I write this I am sitting at Arlanda airport in Stockholm waiting to catch the plane back to London. I'm wearing five layers, as well as two pairs of pants and two scarves. Given this is our fourth international weekend away in five weeks, I'm rather looking forward to heading back home to grey London.

We flew into Stockholm on Friday night and by the time we got to our hostel and got to bed it was 2am. Our room consisted of a bunk - that's all. Not to worry though as we would spend plenty of time outside ensuring that the claustrophobia was never too overwhelming.

Our first foray into Stockholm was a little Kiwi cafe called Kura, run by a couple of NZ lads who's married Swedes. After a delicious breakfast we wrapped up ready to face the freezing temperatures yet again as we wandered through the streets en route to Gamla Stan, Stockholm's old town which is on a little island, connected by a big bridge which houses the Swedish parliament. Here we explored one of three Christmas markets currently running, before the crowds got too much and we instead decided to head to Skansen - another island, recommended by a Swedish friend.



Stockholm is very pretty and as it is surrounded by the sea, it's also pretty freezing too! We walked along the sea, bracing winds so cold that we couldn't feel our faces and every few minutes had to go indoors just to look at a shop. All very well and good, until one shop on water saw Brad running back on shore with a pale face and thoughts of vomit. We'd been tasting the marzipan and it seems all those almonds and the rocking off the shop boat didn't agree with my wee lad. Back to shore and back on our way. When we got to Skansen we decided that it really would be better to head back the next day when we could actually see it, as it was now 2.30pm and you guessed it - dark! Even though it's the middle of the afternoon the lack of sun tricks you into thinking you should be asleep and we were suddenly quite exhausted. With plans to head back the next day, we headed home via the scenic route stopping every two minutes to take photos of Stockholm's very festive streets. With the official home of Santa being Finland, the Scandinavians seem to get into the Christmas season more than anyone. Coke even bring out something called 'Christmas soft drink' (such an original name), which Brad guzzled by the bottle.





By the time we got home it was 4.30pm and we decided to read and relax for an hour or two before heading back out. At 10pm and an entire book later, we realised that dinner wasn't going to happen. Luckily Brad had the good sense to have picked up a few goodies from the supermarket that afternoon, including a bottle of Glogg - Swedish mulled wine, mixed with cognac. Delicious and oh so festive.

The next day we were up and out, en route to Skansen in record time. After deciding to pay to get into the world's oldest open air museum, we were delighted to learn that it was also a zoo, with a Scandinavian animals section. After a lunch of moose and potatoes in cranberry cream cheese sauce (it was as good as it sounds), we went to check out a live one, as well as other native animals like wolverines (ugly things), wolves, reindeer, otters and a grey seal. Adopting a policy of five mins inside, to five mins outside, we also spent plenty of time indoors at various exhibits including glass-making. Even though we'd seen how it was done two weeks before in Venice, sitting inside in the warmth watching them create amazing glass ornaments from scratch was very soothing. We spent the entire day at Skansen and when we left at 4pm, if it wasn't for the street lights we wouldn't have been able to see our hands in front of our faces!







On the way home we stopped off at another Christmas market where we munched on gingerbread over a cup of glogg, whilst watching the ice-skaters. Sweet tooth not satisfied, we then stopped off at the mall to down a big piece of frosted brownie, complete with ice-cream on top. My kind of desert!



Home sweet home for an hour or two, before another walk around the city to soak up the festivity. No dinner needed!





This morning we woke up with a fire in our bellies, which wasn't just due to the lack of dinner the night before - we were keen to hit the streets, this time heading to a different part of Stockholm - the trendy, cool area where apparently tourists are as rare as hens teeth. Trying not to slip over on frost, we made our way across various bridges before spending a few hours soaking it all up.



Now for the fun part - Stockholm is known as the best place to shop and I'd been on my very best behaviour all weekend under the agreement that on Monday I'd have a chance to check out a few stores, whilst Brad had a few coffees. Although I only walked away with two singlets (why they sell these in Scandinavia I have no idea - it'd be far too freezing to ever wear anything so flimsy), it was fun having the potential option of buying up a storm without a bored Brad mooching behind me.



Our final stop was lunch at an amazing wee cafe, which served us a traditional Swedish lunch and one of our top five travel meals yet. Delicious pasta and bread with a ton of crayfish for Brad and chicken for me. Mouthwatering!

An easy bus ride later and here we are. We had a glorious time although it's no lie to say that we are looking forward to 10 days at home before the next trip!

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