Svedarn yarr; blondes, booze and banquets.

We arrived into Sweden at half 9 local time to be collected by the lovely Johan. Erica and I met Johan at the start of last year as he was in Australia for business, so on coming to Sweden we took him up on his offer to stay with him in the country about 2hours south of Stockholm. The airport of skavska is about an hour and a half out of Stockholm and about an hour from Johan’s so it was incredible generous and convenient that he picked us up. Driving through the Swedish country side was beautiful, full of lush green fields, small windy roads and many old brick villages. We arrived at about 11am to his country house which looked more like a small estate inclusive of about 10 rooms, two stories and a pool!!! We met stanly; his gorgeous golden retriever, and Eric; his business partner, before heading into the small village to check out the local supermarket; Willy’s, stocking up on some delicious food and copious amounts of alcohol. Back at the house Erica, Carly and I slept the afternoon away to be woken by cocktail hour at half 5, before setting the table outside to fed a delicious smoked salmon followed by an amazingly tasty rubarb pie which Eric had made. The night escaped us over cocktails, wine and catching up and we were ready for bed again. 

The next morning/midday i woke to the sun trying desperately to shine through the hazy clouds, impressed by its efforts I started the day with a swim…by that I mean I jumped in, and jumped straight back out. We then met Annie, Johan’s beautiful wife who had just flown in from Copenhagen where she studies. Due to a late start to the day, just one strange Swedish vampire movie later dinner was on our minds… We cooked up an incredible feed of BBQ meat and a blue cheese, honey walnut and rocket salad. Again Eric impressed us with a mouth watering desert…a dense chocolate cake which tasted more like a thick brownie. Too much wine and too many hours of team trivial pursuit later we called it a night. 

We decided to make the most of our last day in the country with a little excursion. Leaving the house at 11, first stop was the supermarket to pick up some more food and booze for tonight’s celebrations (The return of Johan and Erica parents who had been in germany collecting alcohol…as its cheaper over the border). Packing the goods into a cooler box in the boot we made out way towards the large lake; Vattern. We walked around the old town; the cobble streets and little lanes reminded me a lot of the small villages in germany near dusseldorf, we then made our way though the old moated castle; Vadstena, then stopped for some icecream before heading to some ruins of a church from the 15th century. We also visited the rok; 9th-century memorial block bearing the longest runic inscription known, and had some late lunch of fish before making our way back home to meet the parents. 

The country side reminded me a lot of what I saw in Germany around dusseldorf area that I visited a few years back, full of lush green field, old brick pubs and garage sale signs in all directions. We arrived home late afternoon to do the meet and greets, all so lovely and spoke perfect English! We started with some delicious cheese and wine time, soon enough heading to the grand wooden dining table for a banquet of herring fish smoked in all different and tasty supplements. From a creamy mushroom mayonnaise sauce, to a simply salty assortment…it was incredible! This came with a side of tradition drinking games and songs, we sipped/shoted our schnapps whilst the elders sang feel good songs and clapped! “skol” (cheers)!!! Once dinner was devoured then came desert… another incredible tasty treat from Eric; we all tucked into more than one serving of the lemon meringue biscuit tart! Another intense game of trivial pursuit tucked us into bed in the early house of our last day in the country. 

Another late rise/food coma, we woke to find a good Part of the day over, Simply to pack up our compact bags to be dropped at the closest train station. Saying our goodbyes to Johan we journey 2 hours north towards Stockholm arriving just after 6! Having no luck booking a hostel Eric and his girlfriend caroline kindly offered Eric’s flat to us whist they stay at Caroline’s! (*a little bit of McIntyre luck I do believe…) The apartment was so nice, full of funky shanghai style art, and an incredible collection of glass wear (by a particular designer that Eric follows). We immediately felt at home as they served us a delicious real (REALLL) espresso and a delicious dinner of salad and kebabs. Sinking into the sofa a movie staring a young and pre permanently straightened hair; nicole kidnman entertained us and kept us in for the night. 

Our first day in stockholm was spent with a map, walking into the city from Eric’s over the bridges as the sun was Shining! The city is built up of islands so everything is separated by water, it has a very unique charm and authentic feel. We Walked down the small cobble streets in search of some vintage shops I had google, successful with finding a few we passed the hours trying on beautiful velvet treasures before heading further into the old town for a strong cinnamon coffee. Losing our way down the little European lanes we retired on some stairs to soak up the sun and stair down the sexy swedes. Waiting until 6pm to meet my friend Alex (who I knew from London and was currently living in Stockholm), we headed straight to subway for a cheap but tasty sub! Thirsty for a beer we kicked onto debaser; a sweet outside beer garden with lounges and overpriced cider complemented by a suave and chilled atmosphere. We met up with Alex’s Swedish friend boris then all made way for the train to get to strand? To watch the football; Sweden vs ukraine. The pub was two bars long and completely packed, waiting until half time to squeeze ourselves into vision of the large projected screens whilst the cool kids smoked. Sweden lost and the crowd dispersed extremely quickly to shame themselves privately whilst we trooped on to another dirty cheap bar around the corner to continue conversation and take part In a sick off; ( telling ridiculously inappropriate and graphic what if stories to disgust one and other). A little traumertised and in fits of laughter we broke off and caught a cab home. 

Our last morning in Stockholm we trained it back to check out the vintage shops that weren’t open the day before, unsuccessful, we headed into central station to purchase airport bus tickets for the next day. We then wandered further into the shopping streets to be tempted by overpriced but attractive items! Dumplings drove us through the late afternoon as we checked out Caroline’s beautiful jewellry workshop, and before too long our lazy last day in Stockholm was done. We went home to the local supermarket to purchase some packet creamy mushroom soup and stayed in for the night.

The next morning my couch sleep was woken by my 6am alarm, I quietly gathered my things together and headed into the city for my 8am bus to the airport. Briskly walking for my train I pleasantly pondered over my incredible little stay in Sweden, shocking me with their unlocked and attractive hipster bikes, to the overpriced and under poured beers, from the lush green country side to the splendid cobel city streets of Stockholm. Spending time with old and new friends and over indulging in an abundance of delicious local cuisine, I fell in love with Sweden. (the beautiful blonde men are not a myth either.)

The bus ride to the airport took a good hour and a half, and I was several hours early for my flight to faro, Portugal. Finally boarding at 11am, I was luckily dismissed by an over sized carry on as I distracted the lady with conversation. I spent the four hour flight chatting to a young man from sweden talking about plans for the summer, which got me excited for the next stop. Coming out of faro airport I seemed to have avoided customs somehow and stepped straight onto the streets searching for a bus into town. Unfortunately not due to leave for another hour, I befriended an Indian business man and shared a cab into the main bus station to find chloe (craines is coming back!) Riddled with excitement for a month in the sun by the beach at Lagos, but scatter with nerves as to wether or not we will be able to land a volunteer position at a hostel to save our pennies…was quite the seesaw feeling, things can either turn out for the best or worse but either way it swings I will be with a very dear friend and we will make the most of what ever experience is thrown our way.