In July I attended the wedding of two great friends near Stockholm and took the opportunity to see the city. Here are the pictures of my trip through the city and its surroundings.
My first impression was that there’s a lot of water. The city itself is built across a dozen islands, which gives it a unique flair. An island for museums, one for swimming, one for the old town, one with a natural park, you name it. Approaching the airport, you fly across the archipelago with thousands of them! Very beautiful 😀
I heard a lot about high equality between women and men in Scandinavia, but seeings the uncomplicated way of dealing with femininity with my own eyes was just liberating: Women are cycling with flying mini skirts and no one gives a second look. Male toilets with nappy changing unit. Ladies toilets have simple plastic bags as bins and not those “automatically disinfecting, push the pedal, then put your pad on the flap bins” you see else often. Adults simply change into swim gear on the cities beaches and again: no stares.
The most remarkable thing about Stockholm to me was that they have instituted a sort-of human right of access to a bicycle. You simply pay 32 Euros and you get access to rental bikes for 6 months! And not those annoying 30-minute slots common across the big cities in the West – no, you get the bike for 3 hours straight!
What do do in Stockholm?
Visit the parliament for a free tour in English! Very recommended for its beautiful view from the 6th floor and the architecture. It was also very interesting to hear a few facts about democracy. For example only in Sweden and Norway the parliamentarians are sitting organized by region not by party! There’s a ladies room in the parliament showing pictures of famous “first women” in Swedish politics. The room also features a mirror, where female visitors can see the reflection of the potential future prime minister of the country. A fantastic conversation to have with school classes and other groups of visitors!
Don’t miss out on a drink on a boat bar near the old town, watching the sun set slowly between 9pm and midnight. You’ll walk home in the twilight, it just doesn’t get dark in summer in Sweden!
I also did the early morning boat tour, getting a nearly undisturbed insight into smaller islands. Below are some pictures of the defense equipment still installed on the island to protect Stockholm city (but unused).
Another highlight for me was the museum of photography with a great video installation about Chinese migratory workers.
On the day of the world cup final we were lazying around with the German friends and family of the couple. We ended up playing football. As i was in a dress and flip flops, I started carefully at first to test the shoes. Later I even scored with the left foot. We had a couple of trees on the pitch, which made it even more exciting and surreal.
Another exciting physical challenge came in form of “a slackline”. We tried to walk across a rope spread between two trees.
This weekend I really found new joy about physical mastery which I hope to continue in London 🙂
2 replies on “Stockholm – bicycles & more!”
Nice to read how you enjoyed your trip!
And nice pictures as well. Even for me as a “local” some were completely unknown to me 🙂
You wrote a lot about the equality between women and men. To add a big advantage for men in Sweden is that nobody will even raise an eyebrown if a father takes six or more month parental leave or if a father leaves work at 3 p.m. to pick up his children from the kindergarten. Just amazing if you compare it to other cultures.
P.S.: Btw the thing between the trees is a slackline
Hi Marcus 🙂 Yes, I really enjoyed it!
The island with beaches is Langholmen, really awesome.
Thanks for your perspective. I think it’s important to keep mentioning that equality between men and women has liberating effects for both sides. I forgot that 🙂