Friday set the tone for a really great weekend. I met with a coworker and she delivered some beautiful flowers courtsey of the company. We went to one of the oldest cafe establishments in Stockholm, Cafe Fix, and sat outside (in a safe and socially distanced manner). I had an Americano that tasted like caffinated heaven while enjoying really good conversation. Then after, I took a bus to meet another coworker in a park popup that sells beer, ice cream, and all kinds of food, called Omnipollo Flora. It was a picturesque scene, with a backdrop of luscious greenery, children and families out and about, birds fluttering by, and beer. Oh my lord, it was such good beer.
After the meet up, there was still enough daylight left that I decided to legitimately get lost in the city. I stumbled upon a bistro that served some of the best salmon tartare that I indulged in with a delightful glass of Riesling. I set out after my meal and continued to get lost, knowing that with the expansive metro system and Google maps, I couldn’t get too lost. I ended up pretty far from the city, but of course at that moment my bladder decided it was the most optimal time to start screaming at me. I was able to find a lavatory within a train station and set back out to continue my walk. I stumbled upon some beautiful buildings, crossed several bridges, and observed other people in Stockholm go about their day.
Saturday I decided to set out again and try to go to a few museums. I ended up way off course, but it was a happy accident, as I ended up in Östermalm, or Old Town. The old buildings and cobblestone streets were how I always imagined Diagon Alley to actually be like. Navigating those cobblestone pathways was certainly a challenge for me; I’m a person who drags their feet and I quickly learned that the bumps between the stones would continue to trip me if I didn’t at least try to walk without dragging.
After a quick bus ride outside of Old Town, I made it to the island that’s filled with several museums, including the Nordic, Vasa, and ABA Museum. Since I had already been to the Vasa, I opted for the Nordika Museet and it did not disappoint. It was filled with all different kinds of interesting things, including an exhibit on global warming, more information about the Sámi people, and an exhibit dedicated to European modern fashion. It also displayed a lot of creepy antique child mannequins that are probably going to haunt my sleep for a while. I spent a long time here and didn’t get a chance to experience any of the other museums on the island, but that’s okay. That’s what next weekend will be for.
After, I came home, I took a bath, finished a really frightening book called “Dear Laura”, made some really stinky curry that I probably won’t be buying again, and prepared for a long night of staying up to watch AEW’s All Out Pay-Per-View with Jason via Google Hangouts. I couldn’t make it past 3:45am, but what I saw was so entertaining. Not to mention that it was really cool being able to watch something with a giant ocean between us.
I woke around 10am Sunday morning and cleaned the apartment. I found a local store that carries homegoods and I was finally able to get a coffee maker and a wok, among several other useful things I was lacking. I cleaned the new items, put them away, took all my trash to the proper recycling spot, and finished watching All Out. Now, I’m just about to start prepping dinner and get settled in for the next week of work.
I’m still waiting for the wanderlust to wear off; talk to me when I’m here in the midst of winter and see if I’m still loving it as much as I do now. I definitely miss some things, like my monsters and my husband, but it’s still all shiny and new for me. The weather has been extremely pleasant and the people, while I was nervous about not knowing the language fully, have been nothing but accomodating.
It’s still hard for me to believe I spent my birthday here, and despite being alone, I didn’t feel lonely. It was really cool being able to get lost in a new city, see some things, and find my way back. Anyway, here’s a photodump from the weekend! Enjoy!
Valerie Kromas 