Exhausted, Tired Feet

By my calculations, I have walked at least 25 km today. If I plan to visit more sights tomorrow, I think I may start taking the subway.

After my last post, I headed out to find a good restaurant. I immediately noticed that at 6:30, the sun was still fairly high in the sky: about halfway between mid-day and the horizon. I had not been able to notice this before because it was always so cloudy. Tonight, very few clouds and brilliant sunshine. As I was walking I took a lot of pictures of the city. The bright sunlight certainly lit up the city in a way I had not seen before and if anything it made everything that much more gorgeous.

I eventually made my way to Gamla Stan (the Old City) again, and I found a nice little restaurant that had what I was looking for on the menu. I went in, sat down, and ordered my meal. For förätter (starters), I had hummersoppa med grädde och laxtartare på pumpernickel (lobster soup with cream and raw salmon on pumpernickel bread), and for my main course, köttbullar med gurkin, lingon och potatispure (meatballs with cucumber, lingonberries and potato puree). I also had a glass of house white wine with my soup and salmon. The meal was delicious. I did not feel like dessert just then so I skipped it... (Hmmm, speaking of dessert I just might get creme brulee here at the hotel. It was sinfully delicious the other night.) After the meal, I handed my credit card to the waitress (as a test) and there was no problem at all. Transaction went through no problem. Yay!

After my meal I kept walking north from Gamla Stan and saw the Kungligaoperahuset (the Royal Opera House) and the Grand Hotel in passing. I expect to visit both places later on this week: the first when I go to the opera with Hans on Thursday, the latter when I have authentic Swedish smårgösbord.

There were crowds of people outdoors at one of a series of outdoor concerts for the royal wedding. If I am not mistaken, Alcazar was playing tonight. But I will make a point of going tomorrow to see Nanne Grönvall, among others.

Around 9:30 I decided to double back and to come back to the hotel. At that point, I noticed I had been out for three hours, and the sun had apparently not even budged an inch from its position in the sky. Talk about midnight sun! On my way back, I found a number of shops that sell the items I am thinking of bringing back as souvenirs, but at much more reasonable prices than on Gamla Stan. So tomorrow, I may begin by buying a few souvenirs, and then continue my ABBA tour, with a visit of Norrmalm, Östermalm and perhaps even Djurgården.

Now that my money woes are all behind me, and that I am feeling at ease in the city, I am looking forward to spending lots of time here: still 10 full days here (but I do miss Troy).

Hugs and kisses all,

M.