We took the train from Oslo to Stockholm this morning.
New language, new currency, just new. Nice ride and they welcomed us to Sweden. Kermit cheered.
The announcements were louder and more detailed in Swedish, than in English – “next stop X.” I wasn’t sure why they got so much information and ours was short and to the point. Since we couldn’t decipher one word, we’ll never know.
The Swedes kept saying “Happy Mid Summer” and we smiled and thought, nice.
We arrived in Stockholm Central train station and the escalators were out of order. You should see the amount of steps, and my eyes get goofy on broken escalators. With all our stuff, they were a no-go. We squeezed in a tiny elevator (just big enough for 4), hoping to not get stuck.
The station was jammed with people coming and going in every direction at once.
There were crowds everywhere, running, going, moving fast and furious. It was a human explosion. Our B&B host told us we were staying just one Metro stop away from the central station. We looked for a metro sign, but most everything was in Swedish, not like the Norwegians that give great assistance with English translations.
I needed a bathroom. I paid the $$ and went into a huge room with men and women and waited for a door to open. I love that the Scandinavian countries don’t have bathroom issues, we all have to wee and toilets are toilets. Americans could learn from them…actually about a lot of “things.”
I say this as I am terrified we are going to start a war with Iran. All of Europe & the world are worried. After being in Iceland and Norway and now Sweden. They care about all people and the earth and peace and humanity and equality and proudly support pride month. I’ve never seen so many rainbow flags and rainbow streets. Just saying…I’ll get off my soap box, this is my break but I can’t stop caring.
We finally found a small metro sign and after some confusing directions we got some help and located the ‘blue line’ metro train down deep in the catacombs of the Stockholm station. It was bigger and deeper than DC’s metro stations. It was like being in a deep cave!
We found our train, our stop, our exit and the Airbnb. Up 5 flights to our deluxe apartment in a cool old neighborhood. Don’t these people know about elevators!? 🙂
We dropped off our bags, walked for dinner and a stop at the grocery store. We spotted a cool old store on the corner across from our B&B. Turns out it’s the oldest store in Stockholm (1886). I’ve never seen so much stuff is such a small space-it was packed floor to ceiling!
We told the lady we’re visiting and loved this store that sold everything. She said we’ll be closed until Monday. It’s our “MID SUMMER HOLIDAY!”
Now I get it! And why everyone said that, and why the crowds buzzed at the train station. Everyone was in a hurry to get out of town for their 3 day weekend!!
We’re settled in and planning a walking tour in Gamla Stan (one of the island boroughs of Stockholm) tomorrow. Lots to see in a few days…hope everything isn’t closed for the holiday!!
