Taking a Flight – 1/2 Excursion

I have flown in various different aircraft on many occasions for both work and leisure. Each time gives me the same sense of excitement as the first and is the real reason behind why I do what I do. However – boarding a flight without a set return date changes the game! It raises the bar! A whole new level of excitement and wonderment that sets your mind racing and your heart beating.

Gamla Stan Island in the Sun

Romanticism aside – these feelings are quickly quenched within about 30 minutes of take off when you realise that the in-flight entertainment is limited to what can be rummaged from the seat back pocket in front of you. That same pocket with failing elastic that insists on invading your already limited legroom because you are slightly above average height. I vow to change such atrocities when I am king of all aeroplanes.

Rant over – I was excited to be spending a couple days in Stockholm with Papa Norton, and the prospect of habitation thereafter.

Excursion

I had invited my dad to come with me to Stockholm for my arrival weekend for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he would be able to carry the second case of luggage needed to provide me with an ample selection of footwear for the semester. Secondly, I needed a travel companion to endure the pleasures of being a tourist for a couple of days – and perhaps more importantly, foot the bill.

‘The Bishops Arms’ (shown above) was not what I had expected as our primary choice of eatery to kick off the Scandinavian adventure. An English style pub in the heart of Stockholm they offered an extensive selection of beers and single malts that would rival any Covent Garden competition. A hearty burger and several exotic beverages later my stomach was happy, even if I did feel an underlying drone of cheating on Sweden.

The next couple of days surely made up for this early discretion. Hours of city exploration, visiting exhibits and many “fikas” charged our agenda. The historic old town (the pictures you find when you type “Stockholm” into Google images) contains many café’s, squares, boutiques and bars framed in a network of cobbled streets and painted façades. Perhaps less typically, Stockholm seems to be filled with what can only be described as second hand junk stores that are full to the brim of old soviet war memorabilia, 17^th century pistols, endless furniture and even the odd euphonium. Such stores are to be approached cautiously as the risk of never escaping is very real.

Other highlights included the Vasa Museum – An exhibit displaying a 17^th century gunship that sadly sank on its maiden voyage from Stockholm harbour. The upshot is that it was fantastically preserved through time and in 1961, 95% of the original ship was salvaged from the harbour floor to be restored and displayed. The exhibit its self is far more than just the ship. We spent about 2 hours there nerding out about life on the ship, learning why it sank and perusing the abandoned belongings of its 450 strong crew.

Similarly, the City Hall is exquisite. Taking the tour and learning about its history and modern goings on was very interesting, though I think my dad may be quite jealous as I was able to return there one week later for the official welcome reception to KTH (shown above-middle).

The weekend was long and tiresome through copious exploration and drinking but I certainly enjoyed it. It helped me find my bearings for the city and begin to come accustomed to the culture, currency and language I had rapidly become immersed in. I hope that Papa Norton enjoyed his holiday and can only hope that as I look forward to my studies, I remember what an awesome place lies just outside the door.

Sunset over Stockholm