Blogs from Sweden, Europe - page 212

I was working in Gothenburg at the time when I by blind luck happened to come across a note about a planned visit by the HMS Endeavour. It was announced on the website of the Swedish East Indiaman project, which is tracking the progress of the rebuilding of a replica of the 18th century merchantman Götheborg, a ship that used to ply the trade to South East Asia back in the day. Götheborg met an unfortunate ending when she - after two years of travel - ran aground just outside Gothenburg harbour in 1745, its precious cargo lost in the waves. More than 250 years later a project was started to rebuild a replica of this famous ship. At the time of my visit the ship is slowly nearing completion, and is planned to take a ... read more

At first sight the guy seems rather normal. After having released a few incomprehensible murmurs, this perception is radically altered. Before having even landed his butt on the seat, he has initiated the dead-end conversation. Conversations with the train/plane/bus neighbor can be quite interesting and kill some serious time. This guy is a one of those one-way streeters. To his defense could be mentioned a slight mental sub-normality. He mumbles a big deal in super-standard Swedish. Not at all easy to grasp. He's going home to Stockholm. The cats in Malmö were apparently quite messy. He's retired, although in his 30's. Retired from what...? With great enthusiasm and excitement he describes the characters, plot, and relationships of the fantasy cassette book he's "reading". Light bla bla Dragons bla bla White guardians bla bla Black tower...But the ... read more

Watch a pride parade just for fun? I'm not homophobic, but a bunch of fairies in extravagant costumes strutting around in the middle of Stockholm trying to make a politically correct point, but probably just adding to the stereotypes of homosexuals...? Well, as my buddy and also host thinks this is a good idea, I won't argue. Turns out my prejudiced ideas were a bit skewed. It's not like any other parade, that it ain't. The gay movement is strongly associated with the rainbow flag, and the colorfulness is reflected in the floats and costumes. Magnificently ornamented floats are mixed with groups making a statement and other less political groups dancing and flirting with the crowd. But, all the people participating in the parade are obviously having fun, a joy that is widely infecting the crowd. ... read more

So I find myself, a budget traveller in one of the most expensive regions in the world, Scandinavia. I have been putting most purchases on my credit card and not thinking about the cost. Ok I have been thinking about the cost, £100 from Copenhagen to Stockholm!!! Yikes. I have adjusted my European travel plans now to basically loop down Eastern Europe where its cheap over to somewhere like Greece and then relax for a bit somewhere coastal. But in the meantime I'm a reluctant Scandinavian traveller. Enjoying myself immensely. Did my usual trick of arriving late and finding all the close hostels full, had to go for a cheaper one on the outskirts of the city centre. The STF Backpackers Inn is another converted school, this time the beds are placed in the classrooms, 14 ... read more

I spent a week and a half in Uppsala, a large University city. The students must have been on break cause the place was dead. I mean like nobody around at all. I stayed at the Radisson and had a good time despite no real activity. I got to know Stefan and Noha, bar tenders at the Radisson.. They were good people offering suggestions on things to do while I was stuck there between work. They made my experience in Uppsala very good. I had since been back there one other time and Stefan and Noha remembered me ;)... read more