Sweden 11.07.11-15.07.11

Stockholm from Above

After I arrived back in Madrid from Andalucía on Sunday, I had to get ready to prepare my next trip, the day after to Sweden! I had already set my stuff in my new apartment, but my room was still being occupied until the 15th so that one short night I spent on the couch (I wasn't picky). Overall, I barely had time to do a load of laundry and reorganize my suitcase before I was off heading to the airport.

Farm by Nicole's Residence

As I was flying into Stockholm, I could see from the airplane window that I was already going to adore the city; unlike anything I had seen before, Stockholm was filled with water and trees, so green, so serene. Once landed, I met Nicole at the exit and we took a bus/train into the city to her apartment. Nicole lives in a university residence, a 15 min walk from her university and about a 25 min walk from the city center. Even so close to this urban population, Nicole's residence is surrounded by forrest, farm, and a lake. It's truly incredible!
That night we took a long walk around and ended up in the posh district of Stockholm. I can't remember the name, as Swedish is still completely foreign to me. I think one of the only things I can remember is "Hej" (pronounced, 'hey') which means, "Hello".

Nicole's University,  Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH)

The next morning, Nicole and I caught an early train to the city of Gothenburg, on the opposite (West) coast of Sweden. We were going to see my little sister from Kappa, Marie, who studied and is currently living there until she comes back to IIT for grad school. We got into Gothenburg around noon, and as Marie had work until 4PM, Nicole and I went around the city ourselves. I really liked the feel of the city, it was like a large fishing town, like Morro Bay, larger and European-style.  After Marie got off work, we went to the historic part of the city to go to a cafe for 'fika', the daily Swedish coffee break. Probably my favorite thing about Swedish culture was fika, because they do it several times a day, and what's better than coffee all the time? Not to mention it's normally accompanied with a delicious array of Swedish pastries, too many to know which one to choose! After fika, Marie, Nicole, and I headed to the suburbs of Gothenburg where Marie lived and drove to out to the ocean to see the Archipelago, groups of islands that exist of the coast of Sweden. After that, we made a late dinner and got to bed.

Gothenburg

The next morning, we all got up early cause Nicole and I had to head to Stockholm, and Marie had to catch her flight to Chicago, where she will be spending a few weeks. When we got into the city, we met one of Nicole's Swedish friends, Ula, took a walk around the city, and went for lunch. Besides being so natural, another great thing about Stockholm is that it is compromised of multiple small islands and so you constantly are surrounded by water. Later that afternoon, we met up with my friends Valentina and Jay who I met here in Madrid and went around seeing the city some more. After awhile we headed back to Nicole's place where we all had dinner.

Park in Gothenburg Center

The next morning, Ula offered to drive us and Nicole to the small city of Vaxholm outside the city. Once again, I adored this new Swedish environment, especially after another wonderful fika! After Nicole, Ula, and I returned, Nicole and I had lunch and left to go around the city center some more. We later met up with Jay, Valentina, and another one of Valentina's friends for dinner down by the water. I took fish (I mean in Sweden, you just have to) and we watched a gorgeous sunset. After one more late night fika, I knew that it would be hard to say goodbye.
The next morning, I had to return to Madrid and Ula kindly gave me a ride to the airport. I really wish I could have had more time, I felt so at home in Sweden...if it wasn't sooo expensive I would love to have stayed forever! Some day, I'll return. Just not in winter :).

More Gothenburg

Part of the Archipelago

Me in Stockholm

Church in Stockholm

Looking onto Historic District of Stockholm

Swedish Royal Palace

Swedish Castle in Vaxholm

Would Have Gone All the Way In with a Towel!

Another Swedish Church

The Photo Doesn't Do the Sunset Justice

This weekend I have been taking advantage of my alone time in Madrid, and while it is lonely, I really do like it. I've been doing a lot of reading and watching of Harry Potter, long walks, cafe visits, and lounging by the pool. Overall not to shabby. Now to prepare my trip to Barcelona this Wednesday!

Where We Ate the Last Night's Dinner

Valentina and I, Finishing Fika