Sweden is a real-life Candyland! I stood like a gingerbread cookie on start (Stockholm Airport) and boarded the Arlanda Link, the fast clean high speed train that will take you from the airport into Stockholm in just 40 minutes and costs about $20. I could have taken public transit for $10 but I was anxious about a bed. Next turn? From the train station, I hopped over to Drottninggatan, the shopping district where I bought myself a bright yellow daisy and found some yummy homemade noodles at a food cart just outside Ahlens City area. As I headed to my hotel, I wondered down cobblestone streets and found lots of vintage thrift shops (quite popular there). I stopped into Beyond Retro Vintage Clothing for a denim jacket, BIG for some comfy shoes, an intimate shop (Swedes produce an elite level of intimate pleasure), and an American Instagram shop that sold small cans of Dr. Pepper for $4. The World's largest Ikea was one street over, but I don't like the World's smallest Ikea (the maze) so I know I wouldn't do well in the largest. I did find Grandpa charming and had to pop in before making my way to bed. I stayed at Hotel Bentley with blue velvet chairs and exquisite breakfasts with pickled herring, creme brulee and endless variations of drinks. The beds were made up with the bedspread folded and no sheets. I'm realizing most of Europe doesn't have a top sheet. I loved that you had to put your room key in to turn on the lights ensuring that when you leave, the lights and power are turned off. What a brilliant way to conserve energy! My room was charming, and that breakfast was unreal. Their service was unbelievable, but I'm also learning that this is Sweden: kind and in good spirits. My daughters were excited to try Swedish candy, especially Bubs- the pillowy soft gummy candy with delightful flavors like raspberry, banana, licorice, and pomegranate in the shape of ovals and skulls, an Instagram rage. So, I made it a point to seek out candy stores, and Sweden did not disappoint.
There is so much to see and do in Stockholm! Outside of my hotel area, I got around on the Metro (So easy, pass on my phone) and a hop-on-hop-off bus. Highlights:
ABBA museum: Singing on stage with a laser image of the band singing along and a virtual recording. Snagged a rainbow "Dancing Queen" shirt from the gift shop!
King's Palace: Changing of the guards with the band and soldiers marching.
Rosendals Tradgardskafe: A lunch on the terrace surrounded by breathtaking gardens. The food was locally sourced from the garden and picture-worthy.
For me, the most delightful thing about Sweden was what it had ...and didn't have.
Has:
Smiles
Soft voices
Patience
Flowers and gardens
Carved woodwork
Clean air
Comfy chairs
Simply prepared fresh food- (Boiled crayfish and potatoes, pea soup)
Extravagant Sweets- Raspberry overnight chia pudding,
Time for drinks and visiting- Fika
Does not have:
Plastic
Trash
Stress
I met some friends at a bar for Fika who had the cutest dog! Fika is the daily art of stopping to relax, talk with friends and laugh over coffee/tea and a treat! It is a time to reflect, unwind or just sit. Needless to say, my favorite time of day. My new friends were telling me about Flag Day (celebrating the Constitution of a Democratic Sweden with freedom and equality) and all of the concerts and parades.
Pride in Gothenborg. What a celebration! Here is the thing... Pride was fun, but Sweden is LGBTQ friendly everywhere 24/7 and from what I can tell, all year long, based on beliefs/laws. I was told they want to be known as the most inclusive country in the world. I wondered... what would it be like to live in a Country where the top goal is to love each other.
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