This week has been a fantastic one.
On Tuesday night, a group of us went to the amusement park, which is located right on the ocean in downtown Stockholm. The lights from the rides reflect on the water and it certainly has a oceanside boardwalk feel. There is a large stage in the middle of the park where they host various artists for a concert series during the summer months. This particular night, Dropkick Murphy's was performing. It was very entertaining to be in Stockholm and see a Boston band. The performance and crowd was full of energy. Ewa, Joakim, and I went on a roller coaster (the supposedly scariest one) during the show, which provided for an excellent view of the stage and crowd. The ride certainly amped up our energy level for the rest of the evening. I bought a season pass to the park so I'm looking forward to some more concerts.
The following night, we gathered at Krukan (a pub near Zinkensdamn) to watch Germany vs. Italy. The bar was packed and the game was very entertaining. The games are now getting down to the wire and the Italians will make it through, for now...
Yesterday was the first launch of the AF Race! It is a 3 day sailing race that starts in Stockholm, near Skeppsholmen (right by my office). For the past several days, various vendors have been setting up tents for the race along the water. Everything from Helly Hanson gear to fancy dining. They also built several docks just for this event. The sail boats have lined up one by one on the docks over the past days. They are simply beautiful. The first launch started yesterday at 10:30am. Andre and I took his boat out around 2:30pm and followed the sailing course. We rode for miles by the various clusters of sailboats. The weather was perfect (high 60's, sunny, and breezy) so the sun glistened on the water and the sails were full. The boats looked so elegant on the water. One of his friends is a chef aboard one of the boats so we eventually found them and rode on by to say hi. We rode by the ~100 boats, past Vaxholm, and onto Sandhamn. It is a little island in the Archipelago that houses a few stores and some summer homes. We pulled up to the dock and parked. There was a live band playing American music and a crowd that had been boating and drinking all day. They were having the time of their lives. We walked around the island and allowed the sail boats to make it out to the ocean. We then rode back by all of the clusters of boats to watch them sail in the open waters. Once it started to get a little chilly, we headed back towards Stockholm. Round 2 of the sailing event is today! And the sun is shining!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Midsommar!
Midsommar (summer solstice) was this weekend. Technically, summer solstice is June 21st, but in the Nordic region it takes place on the closest Saturday and is celebrated on Friday...another opportunity to take a day off of work. Friday morning we hopped on a boat near Skeppsholmen and rode the 1.5 hours out to Grinda, which is a small island in the Archipelago. The island mainly consists of land owned by the crown and some summer cottages. The sky was clear blue and the temps were in the high 60's... perfect midsommar weather! Once we arrived at Grinda, we all walked down a path to a large field. In the field was a large maypole. Dancing around a maypole is a traditional midsommar activity. We laid out a large blanket and set up our midsommar feast - bread, cheeses, smoked salmon, different types of herring, olives, potatoes with dill and sour cream, strawberries, Swedish pastries, and lots of wine and schnapps. One word: delicous. We feasted, smoked hookahs, and played kubb. Ewa and I gathered branches and flowers and made our midsommer wreaths to wear.
Then came time to dance around the maypole. Everyone (adults and children) stood in a circle around the pole. In the center of the circle was a musician playing traditional midsommar music while we danced. Everyone was laughing and the sun was shining and I felt as though I was in another time. It was incredible. After the dancing was over we packed up our things and walked down to some rocks on the water. We laid out on rocks and set up our grill. We grilled steaks and sausages and watched the boats go by...until it was time to take the boat back to Stockholm.
Sun kissed and full from our feast, it was a perfect Swedish day.
The boat ride to Grinda
Midsommar feast
Dancing around the maypole
Then came time to dance around the maypole. Everyone (adults and children) stood in a circle around the pole. In the center of the circle was a musician playing traditional midsommar music while we danced. Everyone was laughing and the sun was shining and I felt as though I was in another time. It was incredible. After the dancing was over we packed up our things and walked down to some rocks on the water. We laid out on rocks and set up our grill. We grilled steaks and sausages and watched the boats go by...until it was time to take the boat back to Stockholm.
Sun kissed and full from our feast, it was a perfect Swedish day.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Being one with the world is...
Sitting in a room full of Swedes while playing against England in football.
Friday night a group of us went on a search for a pub in which to watch Sweden vs. England. Bar after bar was packed. We finally found a large mall center/bar with chair cushions all over the floor, a movie theater sized screen, and over a hundred Swedes eager for the game. With the beer flowing and endless cheering, it was a very close game. But unfortunately England won 3-2. Despite this, the game was awesome.
The energy, the excited crowd, and the country pride was so great. Being a part of that put a smile on my face.
Friday night a group of us went on a search for a pub in which to watch Sweden vs. England. Bar after bar was packed. We finally found a large mall center/bar with chair cushions all over the floor, a movie theater sized screen, and over a hundred Swedes eager for the game. With the beer flowing and endless cheering, it was a very close game. But unfortunately England won 3-2. Despite this, the game was awesome.
The energy, the excited crowd, and the country pride was so great. Being a part of that put a smile on my face.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Boats and Euro games!
The days continue to whiz by...
On Saturday, Andre took me and a friend of his out on his boat. We rode down the canal by our office along grassy running paths and families of ducks. We watched a crew race and eventually reached open waters. The water in Stockholm is brackish (mixture of salt and fresh water). Boating away from downtown, we reached secluded islands housing an old church and beautiful country homes. Similar to Alaska, many people live in homes on islands where their only exit from the island is via boat. It is a Swedish dream to own an island... sounds nice.
The next day, Nikki, her friend from The Netherlands, Marieke, and I went to the Museum of Modern Art. It is located right next to my internship, so I definitely wanted to visit. Similar to my thoughts about most Modern Art museums I've visited, I thought it was interesting, yet pretty weird. I've noticed the 'weirdness' is usually amped up in Europe. A TV screen showing a girl painting the floor with her hair, pig bodies with human heads cut open to expose internal organs, a tank of bubbling mud, need I go on? My favorite part was upon our exit of the museum (museet). We each wrote a wish on a note card and hung our wishes from a wish tree. It was beautiful with the wish'full' branches blowing in the breeze.
Last night, Ewa, Eric, and I went to an outdoor bootcamp. The direction was entirely in Swedish. It had just rained and many of the exercises took place on the ground in fields. So after being covered in mosquito bites and dirt, we went to a pizzeria to drink beer and watch Poland vs. Russia. Ewa is from Poland so we were excited when the game ended with a score of 1-1 (everyone expected Poland to lose). The Euro games are so popular here its as if each game is the equivalent of the Super Bowl. What an exciting place to be during this time!
The Wish Tree
On Saturday, Andre took me and a friend of his out on his boat. We rode down the canal by our office along grassy running paths and families of ducks. We watched a crew race and eventually reached open waters. The water in Stockholm is brackish (mixture of salt and fresh water). Boating away from downtown, we reached secluded islands housing an old church and beautiful country homes. Similar to Alaska, many people live in homes on islands where their only exit from the island is via boat. It is a Swedish dream to own an island... sounds nice.
The next day, Nikki, her friend from The Netherlands, Marieke, and I went to the Museum of Modern Art. It is located right next to my internship, so I definitely wanted to visit. Similar to my thoughts about most Modern Art museums I've visited, I thought it was interesting, yet pretty weird. I've noticed the 'weirdness' is usually amped up in Europe. A TV screen showing a girl painting the floor with her hair, pig bodies with human heads cut open to expose internal organs, a tank of bubbling mud, need I go on? My favorite part was upon our exit of the museum (museet). We each wrote a wish on a note card and hung our wishes from a wish tree. It was beautiful with the wish'full' branches blowing in the breeze.
Last night, Ewa, Eric, and I went to an outdoor bootcamp. The direction was entirely in Swedish. It had just rained and many of the exercises took place on the ground in fields. So after being covered in mosquito bites and dirt, we went to a pizzeria to drink beer and watch Poland vs. Russia. Ewa is from Poland so we were excited when the game ended with a score of 1-1 (everyone expected Poland to lose). The Euro games are so popular here its as if each game is the equivalent of the Super Bowl. What an exciting place to be during this time!
Friday, June 8, 2012
National Day of Sweden!
Wednesday was the National Day of Sweden. It is a holiday on which everyone takes off from work and celebrates their country. However, the celebrations begin Tuesday night since there is no work the next day. I joined Ewa and a group of her friends. We went bowling and everyone was anxious to see if it was like American bowling... it is. They then took me to the "hipster" part of town. Back in the day this section of town was poverty stricken and overpopulated. It is now booming and filled with young, hip Swedes. We went to a bar, Carmen, which they described as an American dive bar. I knew exactly what they were talking about when we entered. The place had a lot of character, a lot of people, and a lot of American music. Afterwards the group retreated to one of the guy's apartment where we drank wine, listened to music, and had a fire in the pot belly stove (guess who the instigator of that was?) Next thing I knew, I glanced out the window to daylight. It was 3am and already getting light outside. We decided to call it a night, so I walked back to my apartment around 4am in broad daylight. Definitely a weird feeling.
I awoke the next morning to National Day of Sweden! I peeled myself out of bed and took the train downtown to the Royal Palace. They had free entry, which means everyone and their mother was there to tour the Palace and grounds. It was a beautiful day outside so after the tour I walked to a nearby park to take a nap and wait for the Royal procession leaving the Palace. At 17:55 everyone lined up on the sidewalk and horseback solders marched by followed by a carriage holding the Royal family - the King, Queen, Prince, and two Princesses. So exciting!
Today I had to walk to another part of town for a meeting. The weather is beautiful and Stockholm is alive with people and sun. There were several large truckloads of teenagers driving throughout the city, blasting music, screaming, dancing, and spraying beer everywhere. When I got back to the office I asked what that was all about. Today all of the seniors graduate from high school. Ah, but of course. The legal drinking age is 18.
The Royal Palace
Bagpipers playing on the sidewalk in honor of the National Day
I awoke the next morning to National Day of Sweden! I peeled myself out of bed and took the train downtown to the Royal Palace. They had free entry, which means everyone and their mother was there to tour the Palace and grounds. It was a beautiful day outside so after the tour I walked to a nearby park to take a nap and wait for the Royal procession leaving the Palace. At 17:55 everyone lined up on the sidewalk and horseback solders marched by followed by a carriage holding the Royal family - the King, Queen, Prince, and two Princesses. So exciting!
Today I had to walk to another part of town for a meeting. The weather is beautiful and Stockholm is alive with people and sun. There were several large truckloads of teenagers driving throughout the city, blasting music, screaming, dancing, and spraying beer everywhere. When I got back to the office I asked what that was all about. Today all of the seniors graduate from high school. Ah, but of course. The legal drinking age is 18.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Vasamuseet
As mentioned before I visited the Vasa Museum today. I took the train to Stockholm Center and then strolled through the outdoor markets and along the water to an island located just east of where I work. There was a long line to enter the museum and once I was inside I understood why. The ship was so beautiful! It first sailed in the 1600's, but was built improperly so quickly sank. It sat at the bottom of the harbor in Stockholm for over 300 years before being brought back to life.
Once I left the museum I started my walk back to the train station. The clouds were darkening so I went inside a cafe with all glass walls. I got a glass of wine and a pear and pecan tart with creme. As I enjoyed the tart and wine and read 'Outlander' (a Scottish romance novel), the rain poured down outside. It was the perfect afternoon.
The Vasa
Pear and pecan tart... recipe for the perfect afternoon!
Once I left the museum I started my walk back to the train station. The clouds were darkening so I went inside a cafe with all glass walls. I got a glass of wine and a pear and pecan tart with creme. As I enjoyed the tart and wine and read 'Outlander' (a Scottish romance novel), the rain poured down outside. It was the perfect afternoon.
And then the rain came...
It's Sunday morning and it has been cool and rainy all weekend. Reminds me of summer in Ketchikan... My first week of work is over already. It was a wonderful first week filled with water side tennis games, a bike ride to an Austrian restaurant where we feasted on schnitzel, and intimate dinners with locals.
When I first arrived, everything seemed so foreign and impossible to complete. How to understand the signs in the train station? How to shop for items at the Coop (small grocery store) when all of the labels are in Swedish? How to meet new people? Its amazing how much one is able to learn and accomplish in just one week. I feel pretty comfortable here now and have learned how to navigate the city. I even fixed my first Swedish 'blown fuse' yesterday (result of my American blowdryer)! Fuse boxes here are very different from those in the U.S. and of course all of the directions are in Swedish. My roommate and I also did laundry yesterday (fixing fuses and doing laundry was proof of the windy and rainy weather outside). Learning to work their foreign washing machines and fancy dryers was yet another feat. Side note: they have a wonderful clothes drying system. It is a large box with racks on the inside for which to hang your clothes. Warm air is then forcefully blown through the box, drying your clothes quickly, and minimizing damage (brought on by traditional drying machines).
Today is a little less rainy, so I'm going to grab an espresso and venture off to the Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum). This museum houses an old ship that sunk in the 1600's and was salvaged in the 1960's. It is very famous and is the most visited museum in Sweden. One of the owners of my company, Anders, grandmother's brother is the one who found and salvaged the Vasa. Pretty cool.
Below I included a photo of the large colorful yard art located across the street from my work. It's magical!
When I first arrived, everything seemed so foreign and impossible to complete. How to understand the signs in the train station? How to shop for items at the Coop (small grocery store) when all of the labels are in Swedish? How to meet new people? Its amazing how much one is able to learn and accomplish in just one week. I feel pretty comfortable here now and have learned how to navigate the city. I even fixed my first Swedish 'blown fuse' yesterday (result of my American blowdryer)! Fuse boxes here are very different from those in the U.S. and of course all of the directions are in Swedish. My roommate and I also did laundry yesterday (fixing fuses and doing laundry was proof of the windy and rainy weather outside). Learning to work their foreign washing machines and fancy dryers was yet another feat. Side note: they have a wonderful clothes drying system. It is a large box with racks on the inside for which to hang your clothes. Warm air is then forcefully blown through the box, drying your clothes quickly, and minimizing damage (brought on by traditional drying machines).
Today is a little less rainy, so I'm going to grab an espresso and venture off to the Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum). This museum houses an old ship that sunk in the 1600's and was salvaged in the 1960's. It is very famous and is the most visited museum in Sweden. One of the owners of my company, Anders, grandmother's brother is the one who found and salvaged the Vasa. Pretty cool.
Below I included a photo of the large colorful yard art located across the street from my work. It's magical!
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