Coffee and lilacs

Yesterday was the first day of my internship.  I walked over the bridge to Skepps-Holmen island to my office.  It is located in an old beautiful home.  It is bright and sunny with hardwood floors and big windows that open up to gardens (none of the windows have screens, because there are no bugs).  I met Andre and Anders (the co founders of Sustainable Technologies Fund).  We walked to a nearby restaurant and sat out on the patio.  We feasted on delicious breads, herring, and light beer.  Light beer in Sweden does not mean it is light in calories.  They have beer with different levels of alcohol in case you want to drink then work, drink then drive, etc., etc.  We then had a meeting about my summer projects.  After work I moved into my new apartment and I'm sort of unpacked. 

Today was another day at the office.  I arrived at 8:45 and had to turn off the alarm as no one was there yet (even from the company that works downstairs).  People started trickling in around 9... at which point we made coffee.  They have a fancy espresso/cappuccino/coffee machine so we can ensure our caffeine intake.  Anders arrived to the office with a bunch of lilacs.  They bloom for only 2 weeks each year in Sweden.  But they are in full bloom now and have engulfed the city with their sweet smell.  He put the lilacs in a vase on my desk for "Swedish inspiration".  I definitely found inspiration in them.  Ewa and I had a lunch meeting in downtown Stockholm so we rented biked on Skepps-Holmen and biked to the meeting.  It was great! Many people bike throughout the city and there are bike kiosks located all over.  After the meeting we had coffee yet again.  Everyone worked for the afternoon and then headed home.  Tomorrow we're all playing tennis after work.  There are tennis courts located near our office right on the water.  This should be interesting...

My walk to work yesterday...

Touring the islands

Today was another beautiful day in the city...even warmer than yesterday.  After a leisurely morning I stepped outside of my hotel and a parade of horseback soldiers playing instruments marched by.  This is the third time I have seen this group march through the city.  I continued on to meet Anna (the exchange student that spent last semester at UMass) on the steps of the Stockholm Concert Hall, the "Konserthuset".  The building overlooks a busy marketplace that is filled with everything from fresh fruit to local artwork to old dolls missing clothes.  Anna and I went for fika (coffee and pastries with friends) and then she took me on a guided tour of the city.  We walked from island to island and saw magnificent views.  This beautiful weather has brought everyone in Stockholm outside.  People are strolling the streets, lounging in parks, kayaking through the harbors, and boating.

We then went to the train station and I caught the train to Solna (my home come tomorrow).  I walked the one block from the station to my apartment building and met one of my new roommates, Susanna.  The apartment is very sunny and bright!  I'm excited to unpack and settle in.  Even though the apartment is only about one block from the station I managed to take 45 minutes finding my way back there.  The signs are in Swedish and I ended up following the wrong signs...woops.  Won't make that mistake again.  Once I found my way back to the city center I dined at a little cafe by the Stockholm Center Station.  After a stroll back to my hotel, I am ready for bed.  Tomorrow is the first day of my internship.  I'm supposed to report there at 12:30 so we can go to lunch and then have a meeting about my summer projects!
 

             

                                         View from Gamla Stan Island

A City of Color

Where do I begin... I love Stockholm.  I arrived early this morning on an uneventful flight (the best kind of flight to have) and took the train to the city center.  I then lugged my 80 lbs worth of bags over half a mile to my hotel.  With some good exercise and fresh air I was feeling good.  When checking in well before check in time at the hotel, the concierge said that unfortunately the only room available early was carpeted.  Most Americans wouldn't expect different, so I welcomed the opportunity for an immediate warm shower with open arms.  I then walked the couple blocks to the water front and bought a ticket for a boat tour of the city.  Stockholm is so rich in color.  Colorful flowers in the parks, colorful flags lining the waterfront, colorful languages every where I turn... Now I understand why people say this is the most beautiful city in all of Europe.  The boat tour was very enlightening and the weather could not have been more perfect.  Although I've been told not to get used to the warm sun and clear skies.  After the tour I took a quick nap back in my room (really a continuation of the nap I started on the boat tour). 

The sun was still shining so I decided to go for a walk to the island on which my internship is located.  Stockholm is a series of islands connected by bridges, so walking from island to island is easy to do.  STF (my internship) is located right next to an art museum.  The street is lined with large floral trees that hang to the ground.  The yard across from the buildings is filled with big colorful art pieces.  It feels as though I'm in an Alice in Wonderland set.  Magical.  The water is lined with wooden benches so I rested on one and watched the water and people go by.  Anthony Bourdain wasn't kidding when he said Sweden was a sea of blondes with perfect bone structure.  Holy cow, I have never seen so many extremely good looking people in one location before.

After relaxing by the water, I strolled down the street to a cafe, called Riche.  It was light and airy with lots of light and silver dream catchers hanging from the ceiling.  I ordered wine, cured salmon, and potatoes in a dill cream sauce.  Yum.  While eating, I wrote in my journal and met the people that worked there.  They were all extremely nice.  The waiter told me that alcohol is very expensive at restaurants.  I understood exactly what he meant when my bill came.  Luckily, the owner, named Anders, (who looks like Mick Jagger) introduced himself to me and kept giving me wine 'on the house'. 

After one day here I am only hungry for more...