Stockholm Syndrome

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Stockholm: 4-5 October 2007

Stockholm is a very slick place, everything is efficient and clean - a bit like Germany but without the war-mongering!

Arrived at Arlanda airport at about 9pm and got a train to the city centre. As soon as I left the station, I knew I was going to like the place, strips of bars abounded and very friendly people started chatting to me almost immediately. Speaking of which, the moment I opened the door to my 8-person dorm at the hostel, I was confronted by a crazy German bloke brandishing a bottle of Absolut vodka. He persuaded me that it might be a good idea if I matched him drink for drink (which was actually quite easy as it was the vanilla variety which took the edge of it!). The friendliness of the locals went a bit too far when 1. two homosexuals started harassing me on the street and 2. when a chap in a bar decided to impart his life-story to me over the course of one hour. For those of you who know me well, I don't need to tell you that the eyebrow movements and nods were plentiful during this phase of the evening!

We then went for a curry and a bit of a wander into town. Ended up in the identi-kit Irish bar you find the world over and downed a few more beers. In comparison to Oslo the prices were quite reasonable and I liked the way you ordered by strength and not by brand!

Things were not quite as slick when I returned to the hostel as I could not find the light switch, and bearing in mind I was on the top bunk, this created problems. After head nutting a shelf and sprawling up the ladder I passed out and awoke early the following morning. It was then full-on tourist mode. I went to the old town (a series of islands interconnected with footbridges) which is an absolutely stunning area. During this time I found Stockholm's narrowest street (less that 1 metre wide in parts). Great way of stopping Americans pass through, and also allowed me to wedge myself between the 2 walls and climb up - which I chose to do briefly.

After all this high-jinx I became quite tired as the hangover kicked in, so I went to a steakhouse whereupon I necked a few Phipps (the local beer) and filled up on a chicken and potato combo (could not face beef after the amount of burgers I had consumed over the last couple of days). Then headed back to the hostel to pick up my belongings and onwards to the station to catch my flight to Tallinn.

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