Weekend #3: Stumbling Through Stockholm

Sweden was never on my list of places I wanted to visit while I was here. I had considered it since a friend of mine from high school lives in Sweden but I had no real intention of going. When we first got to the castle, there was a booking frenzy. Everyone wanted to know where everyone else was going and jump in on the trip. That's what happened with Sweden. A large group of people had planned out the trip and my friends and I basically said, "Why not?" So we went to Stockholm.

We arrived very late at night, tired and hungry. Nothing was open at the airport of course but we met up with my friend Hanna who helped us get on the right bus into the city. After a long bus ride, we were finally in Stockholm. Again, nothing was open. Except for McDonalds. Of course. For some absurd reason I asked for ranch dressing with my french fries. As you might assume, the woman had no idea what I was talking about. Cue embarrassed, exhausted American.

The next morning we woke up in our "internet hostel" to the lovely sight of snow falling. The above picture is the view out of the window. The hostel was definitely an experience. There was no reception at all. We were given a code for the front door and a code for the room. It was fine, just a place to sleep which was all we needed. I'm just glad we had the room to ourselves and didn't have to room with random strangers.

Right down the street from our hostel was an AMAZING bakery! We saw it while we were walking to the hostel at night and decided to come for breakfast the next morning which was a great decision. I had an apple cinnamon roll thing that was so delicious. I also bought a little loaf of bread. It was very cheap and smelled like sugar inside. So it was perfect. 

These are cream puffs made only for Fat Tuesday. The Swedes kind of treat them 

like Halloween or Easter candy though and start making them right after Christmas. 

Everything in the bakery was so yummy looking. The apple-cinnamon roll 

I got is in the basket with the darker purple cloth, kind of off to the right side.

These tea tins reminded me of one my mom 

has at home so I had to take a picture. :)

The best part about our first night and the morning of our first day in Stockholm was that we had our own tour guide who could speak Swedish! It was so wonderful to see Hanna again and catch up on our busy lives. She gave us great advice about what to do and really helped with the confusing currency rate. I wish she could have spent more time with us. Our visit was short but very sweet. Especially because she came to the bakery with us!

Hanna and I in the snow.

Our first stop after seeing Hanna off was the Old Town. Stockholm is situated on several small islands (fourteen, I think) and Old Town is exactly what it sounds like, the old center of town. It was very pretty, with narrow alley ways and lots of restaurants, souvenir shops, clothing stores, candy shops, you get the idea. 

Snow was still on the ground but had stopped falling.

A chocolate soccer ball!

So much yummy looking candy!

I only took pictures, I didn't try any. Stockholm was very expensive.

We found a store with a TON of teddy bears! If I could have 

had my way as a child, this is what my room would have looked like!

This mitten reminded me of one in a children's book that 

my mom used to read to me. Unfortunately, I don't remember the title.

I loved all the sweaters.

On Friday night our group met up with some other castle kids at a free concert nearby our hostel. It was very interesting to see the super enthusiastic Americans dancing right up near the stage and the somber Swedes just watching. I was surprised they didn't dance. But we had a great time, it was free, and the music was interesting. Definitely an experience.

Don't remember the name of this guy but he wasn't very good at all. 

His light show was cool though which is why I took this photo.

This was Glasser, an American band (I think). They were great.

I decided to start a new tradition with my travels. I brought this little creature sculpture that Liz made for me before starting college and I thought it would be nice to take a picture with it in each place I travel to. So below is the first installment of that project! We're posed next to a miniature of the Royal Palace in the Old Town.

Me and my creature!

Saturday was a day of adventures for us. I was very concerned about people getting lost on this trip so I printed out maps for everyone and counted heads countless times. But on Saturday I was able to relax a little. We all walked to an island near Old Town and discovered a random tall ship that was permanently docked and housed a restaurant. So of course we had to go on board and explore!

The random tall ship/restaurant.

Johnny at the wheel, which wasn't really the wheel.

A nice view of Old Town from the ship.

Our whole group with Old Town in the background.

After discovering the tall ship, we proceeded to walk along the coast of the island until we got to a bridge that lead us to an even smaller island with a tiny castle on the top. It was apparently an ice-skating club but the island was open for people to walk around on. We found a beautiful view of the river and Stockholm. It was the perfect picnic spot, minus the picnic. We spent a good deal of time there taking pictures and relaxing.

The mini castle.

Our picnic spot.

Minus the picnic :(

There was an empty amusement park across the river.

Overall, Stockholm was a great trip. Expensive, but I budgeted myself well. And it was great to reconnect with old friends and spend time with new ones. I really enjoyed myself and was SO glad no one got lost! Stay tuned for Weekend #4: Ghent-Bruges-Brussels!