Susan in Sweden: Stockholm

Note that if you want to see about more recent trips I have made to Stockholm go to this link on the Exploring Sweden page.

It was actually the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm that was my first choice for my Master's degree but unfortunately I was not successful in my application to attend there (I am still at position number 4 on the waiting list and I suppose it is possible I could be admitted but even if I were I don't think I would choose to go there now as everything is pretty much set up here in Uppsala). I saw very little of the city when I arrived on July 13, 2012, as my flight came in shortly before midnight and by the time I left the airport it was about 12:30 am.

When I reached downtown Stockholm it was still bustling - it was a Friday night after all - and the bus to my hostel was as busy as it would have been in rush hour Victoria. I wandered around a bit in the dark until I found - more by luck than skill - the hostel, slept for a few hours and then set off for Uppsala. So, once I got permanent accommodation here in Uppsala sorted out I decided that I deserved a trip back to learn more about the city.

I stayed at a different hostel this time - one of the cheapest options in Stockholm I think. It's the Acco Hostel and although the rooms are definitely small it was fine and the price was right (about $27.50 per night for a bed in a 6-bed dorm). Note that you pay this cheaper price only if you take your own linen (pillowcase, sheets, towel) and that sleeping bags are not allowed. What I did was buy a duvet/quilt cover at a secondhand shop here in Uppsala (cost $4.75) and opened it up completely at the top (it had a 2.5 foot wide opening at the top to put in the quilt) and had a friend (thanks Kristina!) hem the top so that it didn't start to fray. I now had a perfectly serviceable 'sheet bag' that I could get inside thus being both a top and bottom sheet in a much smaller and compact package.

I spent most of the day and a half I was in Stockholm just wandering around and going in anywhere that was free. I didn't eat any 'sit down' meals in restaurants but rather subsisted on rolls, cheese and pastries bought from various supermarkets. Eating out is just too darn expensive in this country and I'd rather spend my money on other things (plus, harsh as this is going to sound, none of the moderately priced options piqued my interest much). I enjoyed the absolutely glorious 'German Church' and caught the hourly changing of the guard (just the sentries - not mounted guards) at the palace.

Entrance to St. Gertrude's (aka German Church)

Closer shot of the entrance

Changing of the guards

I will leave visiting other admission charging venues for some other visit - I am seriously considering getting a pass for Skansen (which is 140 SEK per visit or 490 SEK for a year-long pass) and will check out whether other places also offer passes. Getting to Stockholm is really simple from Uppsala - there are 1-3 trains per hour depending on what time of day you are looking at, the trip takes about 40 minutes (to go 70km) and the cost is $12 Canadian. You simply book your ticket using your credit or debit card right on the platform at the station and away you go. The trains are comfortable and well-equipped (each carriage has several sets of four seats with a table between them where there are also electrical outlets so you can work on your laptop if you have mobile internet like I do).

Below are some random pictures from my first visit on August 5, 2012, I'm sure there will be many more in the future! Note that the Sunday of my visit was the end of Pride Week which is a really big deal in Stockholm - the whole city seemed to be adorned with rainbows including the busses, hotels and even shop window displays.

Even the graffiti is proud!

The Hilton with a prominent pride flag out in front

Pride balloons in McDonald's in Sodermalm

Pride colours in the display in the Red Cross secondhand shop window

The Sheraton with pride flags on its rooftop

Note the pride flag on the prow of the bus

Pride colours in the display window at an opticians

I ate my lunch on the Monday (August 6) in the garden of Prince Eugens' estate on Djurgarden (the museum was not open). My only companions were a few other visitors and Rodin's The Thinker (which, according to this article is a fairly recent cast). Here are some photos from lunch showing the environs and the views from my lunch stop.

One of the entrances to Prince Eugens' mansion

Perfect lunch companion - quiet and doesn't ask to share your food

The view from my lunch stop

Prince Eugens' art collection - both inside and outside his mansion - is famous

Another view from the lunch spot


View from elsewhere on Prince Eugens' estate - bit reminiscent of Victoria

What else struck me in Stockholm - well, there was the obvious difference between the Colwood Crawl and the morning commute in Sweden's biggest city. I could have taken thousands of pictures of all the fascinating architectural details I saw and even the manhole covers are aesthetically pleasing. It's just a glorious, stunningly beautiful city and I'm going to try and visit as much as I am able over the next two years.