28 July, 2008

Stockholm - wow

Well, so far, Stockholm is my favorite city. Norway is my favorite
country (in beauty - not in price), but Stockholm is gorgeous. It's
clean, there is water everywhere, the architecture is beautiful. It
consists of 14 islands connected with 50+ bridges. Some of the water
in the city is a big lake, other parts are the Baltic Sea. We didn't
have much time in Stockholm, but I hope to go back during the holidays
this year. It's health friendly and veggie friendly and a little
nicer on the pocket-book instead of Norway. However, it's still not
very cheap. Since we had limited time there, we did one of those city
bus tours to try to get a picture of the city and then we went to
their city hall, which is where the Nobel Prize banquets are every
year. I did not know that Alfred Nobel was Swedish, but alas he was
and that explains why the prize ceremonies and events are in Stockholm.

From what we've been able to tell, the swedish countryside is much
less varying than Norway. It is more like rolling hills and farmland
with lakes and trees sprinkled in frequently. Again, everyone speaks
English as a second language, so getting around was there was also
easy. I think we will be in trouble when we hit Poland. We've gotten
used to the English thing. Stockholm is much more touristy (or at
least has a much larger touristy section) than Oslo, but it is a
large city that has much more to offer and do. Similar to New York
having Time Square or San Francisco having Pier 39 or Fisherman's
Wharf - all touristy sections that you kind of have to go to if you've
never been, but if you care to get away from that and see the actual
city, then it's possible. As is the situation with most of these
cities we've been to or are going to, Andy and I quickly get through
the tourist sections and then move to the authentic city as soon as
possible.

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