A Quiet Friday Night

Well, I thought of possibly having dinner at the hotel. When I went to have a quick look at the menu, I didn´t feel like paying 40 dollars Canadian for a main course. So, I decided to go to my room and think about my options.

I switched on the TV and flipped through the channels. There is a lot of American programming -- "All About Raymond", "Friends", "Two and a Half Men", "Family Guy" -- all in English with Swedish sub-titles.

I looked at my Frommer´s Guide to Stockholm looking for an interesting place to have a bite, preferably here on the island of Södermalm. I found a place called "Garlic and Shots" that serves an entire menu of garlic-inspired foods, including garlic ice cream (Dad would love it here; Mom, not so much...) So, I grabbed my leather jacket, my passport and my wallet and headed to the Skanstull subway station. I got off the subway one station north of here, at Medborgsplatsen, and made my way to the restaurant. When I got there, I was surprised to find that it looked like a post-modern heavy-metal café, complete with AC/DC blaring on the sound system and skulls as decorations. At least I was dressed for the venue... Problem was that there was a list of people waiting to be seated: table of 6 and table of 4. I waited at the bar for close to 10 minutes with no one coming to take my name or anything. I figured that this was ridiculous, and as it was past 8 o´clock at this point, I thought I would not get to eat any time soon. So I left "Garlic and Shots" and started walking back towards my hotel, looking at restaurants on my way. A light rain started to fall again. Finally, a block away from my hotel, I found a McDonald´s. It was a bit of a cop-out, but at least it was quick and cheap. I got some food to go, and walked back to the hotel.

I had my food in my room while watching some TV. Sveriges Television Channel 1 is broadcasting a special concert for tomorrow´s royal wedding. Princess Victoria and her bethrothed, Daniel Westling, had the best seats of the house, watching a mix of different acts performing for them. A singer I didn´t know sang Puccini´s "Nessum Dorma", and Peter Jöback sang an old Charles Aznavour song, "She". All the while, I munched contentedly on my fries. I will confess that I am feeling a little lonely tonight, but I am simply exhausted from lack of sleep, so going out is out of the question. I thought I would work on my blog, and perhaps later I can have a bowl of the hotel´s delicious crême brûlée.

I was surprised when I was surfing the Web earlier tonight. It seems that Benny and Agnetha have recently recorded a video here in Stockholm, probably on Skeppsholmen, welcoming people to the new ABBA WORLD exhibit in Melbourne, Australia. They say that as none of the four can travel to Australia, they did want to send their best wishes. Now this was a first! I don´t recall Agnetha partaking willingly in promoting ABBA. From what I have heard these past few years, she still thinks the whole experience with the group was traumatic. I found this completely unexpected.

I think that´s about it for now. At least my blog is up to date, and when I wake up in the morning, I can head straight out the door. I will have the morning to spend in a museum, I think.

Good night all.
Good night, Troy.
Good night, John-Boy.

M.