Stockholm– I Didn’t Know Much About You

This city is really like no other. Fourteen islands with 1/3 green space, 1/3 buildings, and 1/3 water. What other big city has a lake in the middle of it? Twenty percent of Swedes live in Stockholm. There are 600 statues. It is lovely–with all that water you get great views of the palace, churches and impressive government buildings.

I couldn’t figure out the public transportation in the three days I had for my visit. There are 100 metro/subway stations all decorated with art. There are buses everywhere. Not many cars (gas vehicles pay a large toll to enter the city) or bikes– even though they have their own lanes. It is a quiet city. I never heard one siren during my stay. Not many smokers and overall it feels sophisticated, relaxed and welcoming. You have to buy beer, wine, and liquor at a government store and only recently they began selling beer on long-haul trains.

The countryside is flat with many birch trees. The ride from Copenhagen was 5 1/2 hours on the fast train. I met some nice Swedes and we exchanged info about how our schools, etc. work. I found my way to my place easily. I have a lovely flat in a really neat building right on the main pedestrian shopping street. The two front doors open automatically when you swipe the fob. Some pictures of the city:

I took the hop on hop off bus and explored the city. This is the square where the bank that was involved with the infamous robbery that occurred in 1973 is located. The bad actor and his gang held five hostages in a vault for 6 days and the hostages “sided” with the bad guys– thus Stockholm Syndrome:

I visited the Vasa Museum. This is a big building that houses a recovered ship. The Vasa was a giant warship build in the 17th century that sunk within 40 minutes of being launched. It was in the harbor for 333 years. Just amazing what they were able to raise in 1961: I like these pictures— mushrooms and a giant glass sculpture: