The last evening of any worldly trip deserves an authentic meal. And in Stockholm, there’s no better place to dine than at Gamla Stan’s Den Gyldene Freden (Österlånggatan 51; gyldenefreden.se), which dates back to 1722 and remains the oldest restaurant in the world to retain its original interior.
You’ve been good to me.
Is it really my last day in Stockholm?
I need another night. Just one more.
Not that I didn’t see everything I wanted to see. I did. More than once. It’s just that three days of sightseeing does not leave enough room for everything else. Like, say, shopping. Eating. Meeting people. Making friends.
Curse my pre-booked flight. I could have made good use of an entire Sunday.
The 8th marked the day of tours. First, though, a walk with a new friend up to the observatory, which offered a nice view of the city through the tree branches. I enjoyed the sun for as long as it was out (which wasn’t very long).
There is nothing, NOTHING like a productive day when you’re traveling. Far too often I find my plans taking much more time than anticipated, and I’m left either rushing through the end pieces or skipping them entirely. But despite the full force gales that kept us walkers pinned against the bridge railings, ripping the scarves right off our necks, I was able to do, well, pretty much everything I wanted to do in Stockholm. And it’s only my first full day!
Traveling without a camera is like swimming without limbs. My lovely pink camera finally kicked it today as I entered Gamla Stan and for the moments after (or at least for the next two hours), I was drowning in defeat. But a quick trip to the Sony Center and three Benjamins later, I am the slightly regretful but nonetheless relieved owner of a BETTER pink camera. Which, by the way, takes panoramas. How awesome.
Rain and fog. All day. But what has this miserable, groggy day brought? Mjölk choklad! Spicy wok! Swedish shopping! Museum browsing! Boardwalking. Curling. Family bonding. This entry will be more activity-oriented, mostly about family. Let the adventure begin!
Ha. And now, in quick succession, Sweden Sweden Sweden. Because, Yes. I am finally here. And even the unwavering fatigue could not dampen my first day in this glorious country of my ROOTS.
Lindsey Olander 