Last weekend, the girls and I were in Stockholm and let me tell you it was great. I didn't have the same connection with it as I did with Valencia. I don't know what it was about Valencia, but I got off the train and felt an ease, a comfort that I can really explain. Even though I was lost and my spanish was abominable, I felt like I fit in that place. Sweden and I didn't have that connection, but my mate Lea said she had a similar experience with Stockholm. However, it was the most expensive place I've ever been, plus it was really hard to figure how much I was actually paying for things because dividing by 7.5 isn't easy. 1 USD=7.5 SEK roughly. I know yall are all saying that isn't too hard, well it is. Trust me.
Stockholm is a major capital for design both interior design and fashion so you can imag
ine we went shopping! We went to Sofo(that's not a typo) the vintage and indie side of town. We also ran into a fresh market on the way there, where we tried local delicacies like...moose, ostrich, elk, reindeer, and other various weird meats, also some local honeys, jams, and marmalades, and of course chocolate! Swedes are very serious about their chocolate. I drank tons of coffee it was so strong, they have excellent pastries, but most exciting of all BAGELS! Good bagels with cream cheese and chives and locks. I did buy two beautiful vintage dresses, one I've already broke the belt on. I shouldn't get delicate things, but as the English would say they are quite posh. After shopping we learned a harsh reality, everything in Stockholm except for bar and restaurants closes at 4. The original plan was to take a bus or boat tour, both we sold out. So we stumbled into the only open museum where we saw the Imperial Terracotta Army, which was expensive, but massively cool. Who would have thought I'd learn so much about China in Sweden. After a much needed nap in our boat hostel, we took an adventure into some parks a
nd to find food and beer. Well, I know where the Swedes go after 4, to bars! For good reason too, not only is the Stockholm the birthplace of Absolut Vodka, they have some lovely beers and the best cider I've ever had, Somersby. We all insisted on only drinking local whilst we were there and we were extremely successful.
Then we paid money for the strangest thing I've ever paid money and waited in a ma
ssive
queue for...the ICEBAR. Just so you
know, I am aware that there are a few of these, but the Absolut Icebar is Stockholm is the original and local because as previously mentioned Absolut is Swedish. So the money was well spent. Everything, EVERYTHING except the floor and ceilings was made of Nordic ice, even the cups. Catherine put her glass on the bar and it slid off! It was hilarious. For 25$ you get a parka, gloves, and a free drink! It was cold, but I'm in IL, Lea is from Nebraska
, Catherine might just be thick skinned, cause we lasted longer than the average 20 minutes. The drinks were tasty too. Lea was the only one brave enough to get the classic Swedish drink 100 proof vodka and lingonberry juice. If the vodka were weaker, I would have tried it also, but its no secret I'm a cheap date, it doesn't take much. Then we went to the best bar ever, really it was a great bar! The perfect blend between tourist friendly and local, the perfect combo of music, talking, dancing, and lights. It was just great. It was called the KGB and decorated with old school Russian propaganda. They played Russian pop music. They drinks were good, the bartenders friendly, just great! We even limboed with what I think was some guys tie, it was bizarre and fabulous.
In true Swedish fashion, we got 2am hotdogs at the 711. Strange, yes, but there are more 711s in Stockholm, than Starbucks in Manhattan. It was unexpected, but oddly comforting. But they didn't have Slurpees which is kind of the whole point of 711s, but they were open at 2am with hotdogs. What more could I ask for at that moment? Chocolate, cinnamon rolls,water? They had that too, and not crap chocolate or bagged cinnamon rolls, we're talking fresh artisan shit. Perfection.
The next few days in Stockholm were much more educational, we went to museums, took the boat tour, and the epitome of Swedish culture IKEA. All fun. All interesting. My feet were killing me though. All the roads are cobblestones and my black boots were sacrificed in honor of travel. The heel on them is basically worn off because of the cobblestones. My feet HURT and you know it had to be bad for me to even say that because I was a pointe dancer. I got a killer blister on my toe, but I made it through! Ikea is giant, which is implied, but its the worlds largest Ikea so think about that. Double each section in your average Ikea and that's the Stockholm Ikea Experience, but it was worth it and it was meal we could actually afford. Swedish meatballs and lingonberries. I'm glad I'm not still practicing vegetarianism.
Overall, Stockholm was fantastic. It's been really interesting learning about all the different culture in Europe. Everything is so close and accessible, but obviously so diverse! Everyone is Stockholm spoke perfect English, but they don't have the British accent! IT WAS AWESOME! Everyone was really helpful, multiple times people would stop us on the street and ask if we needed help, at the market other customers took the opportunity to explain all the different foods were trying on their own accord. It was great.
We made it back safe and on time! Ryan Air even played a recording of a trumpet exclaiming "CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE ARRIVED ON TIME!" We died laughing.
Getting back was difficult, I do love England I do, but it seems that this week was the I miss America week. It just had no luck with public transportation, sales people, night clubs, ect. Because of this I knew I needed some theatre. I saw the 3 hour Birdsong, and missed class the next morning because I overslept. Then I saw an Off West End show called Lower Ninth about a father and son on a roof in New Orleans during Katrina. That was an eerie experience, but they did a great job, the script wasn't well structured, but captured the emotions and the feeling of the city perfectly. The accents weren't quite there, but only a local could tell that. Most importantly an audience who knows very little of what was actually happening got a much better idea.
But its a new weeks, I saw two shows this weekend, caught up on Project Runway and X-Factor(goodbye Diva Fever you are missed) and I'm refreshed. Plus, because I missed class I spent Friday getting 98.8% of my homework done because I needed to redeem myself.
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