The past two years, my school (in the States) has been home to two exchange students. I became very close friends with both Frida, from Denmark, and Jenny, from Sweden. I told them both whole-heartedly that I would come visit them one day. However, it seemed like a trip that I would take in twenty years. That is, until I learned that I would be spending this year in Germany.
After a lot of stress-filled planning, buying tickets and packing, I made it. To Sweden. Stockholm (STHLM) to be exact.
I skipped a few of the classes that day in favor of shopping and exploring the neighborhood, Slussen, located in southern Stockholm. We had such great weather that day! I found my way around the neighborhood and back to school to meet up with Jenny before heading to Fotografiska. Fotografiska is a photography museum that currently has three exhibits - the most famous being an exhibit by Herb Ritts, a famous Hollywood photographer. This exhibit is know as the Madonna exhibit by many Swedish because of his photos of her.
After finishing our pasta, that was difficult for me to order since I can't read Swedish, we headed to one of Jenny's friend's houses. Astrid warmly welcomed us in and we ate a Semla. On Fat Tuesday/Marti Gras/Fasching, it is Swedish tradition to celebrate the beginning of Lent by eating Semla. Semla can be described as a dinner roll cut in half (like a bun) and filled with cream (see picture below).
The next morning, we went to school later because Jenny had an exam that day. She dropped me off in Gamla Stan (the Old Town) and I found a nice little coffee shop to sit in until more stores opened at 10. I slowly made my way down the main street, stoping in almost every single tourist shop and trying to convert money in my head.
Get this: 1 Swedish Crown = $0.11 US Dollars. So something as simple as a disposable camera can cost 50 Crowns! This makes me think that everything is really expensive, when 50 Crowns is only $5.50! To say the least, I was confused to death the entire time.
I explored the area around what I thought was the Royal Palace (but turned out to be the Parliament) and the actual Royal Palace.
We finally made it to our destination - The Vasa Museum! On August 10th, 1628, a magnificent battleship named The Vasa had been completed and set sail for the first voyage. However, the ship didn't even make it out of Stockholm Harbor before sinking. In 1961, 333 years later, the ship was salvaged in a very complicated process. The Vasa came to surface, was cleaned and repaired, and now sits in the Vasa Museum. It is one incredible masterpiece!
Things You MUST See/Do:
- Take a ferry/boat ride
- Visit the Vasa Museum - Although this one is a little stereotypical for Stockholm tourists, it is breath-takingly magnificent! (don't forget your student ID!)
- See Stockholm by night - water-front restaurants are great for this!
- Visit Fotografiska - another stereotypical thing HOWEVER the exhibits are constantly changing, making it a popular location for locals to visit too! Don't forget your student ID or money (the gift shop is SPECTACULAR).
- Get an Access card for public transportation for the length of your stay. You'll have fun swiping it to get into the Subway, get on a bus or even a ferry! Plus, it comes in handy if your interested in visiting all of the great Subway Art that Stockholm has! I suggest visiting the Central Station (T-Centrala).
- OR look into the Stockholm Card - This card includes public transportation around the city, admission to 80 museums & attractions, and bonus offers! I didn't purchase this card but I would have if I had been touring the city alone!
- Take a walk through Gamla Stan (the Old Town) and observe what's around you. If you like touristy-souvenirs, you've come to the right place.
- Visit a local coffee shop and try something you've never had before. I suggest Café Nova in Gamla Stan.
- Learn as much Swedish as possible before hand and also while you're there. Ask people how to pronounce things. This is always the most fun I have while in foreign countries. I suggest starting with Duolingo.
- Visit the Parliament, the Royal Palace, and the City Hall. If for nothing else, they are architecturally interesting. Well, maybe not the Royal Palace... but Drottningholm Palace, on the outskirts of the city, is rumored to be stunningly beautiful. Plus, it's the royal family's permanent dwelling. I suggest visiting the Treasury in the Royal Palace (in Gamla Stan) if you are interested in jewelry, treasure or fashion.
COMING SOON: Copenhagen. Yep, I went there too.
Liebe Grüße,
Lyndee