Postcard 8: Rather alone

Thank goodness, I am having a fantastic time here in Sweden! My trip started of not so swell, but since the group and I split up my spirits have lifted again. Wonder what happened?

The ride up, - through the Netherlands and Germany to Denmark, crossing by ferry to Sweden and onwards- , was quite tiring: I was squished between two seats for nearly twelve hours. On top of that, a co-traveller amused herself with the bus driver, playing some stupid ipod-guessing game for hours. They did not respond to my pleading to stop and be quiet. In stead they laughed loudly at my complaints. After a week, spending twenty-four hours a day with these strangers with whom I could not connect, nonetheless forced to share a campsite and food, I got sick and tired of acting friendly and polite. So I urged the driver to drop me of at the nearest bus stop. This decision I should have taken six days earlier!

The bus, an interliner, brought me to Stockholm, a truly cosmopolitan European capital. You cannot imagine how beautiful and culturally interesting the fourteen islands that Stockholm consists of are. I hitchhiked my way around, though in the centre of the city the subway was very convenient.

One day I visited Djurgården, one of Stockholm’s central islands. I could get quite close to it by subway. From the subway I walked along the water, admiring the anchored boats, and crossed an old bridge to the island that is known for its nature, the Vasa ship and Skansen, which is an open-air museum. I headed for the open-air museum. The weather was great, sunny and clear. I found it striking that most Swedes were dressed in shorts or skirts, not minding the milky legs sticking out underneath them. In Skansen the different historical buildings reconstructed from all over the country were absolutely lovely. However, the highlight of the day I found in the unique zoo-area of the park: a lazy male moose with enormous antlers posed for me close to the fence. I can’t wait to show you the pictures when I’m back home!

PS: As you see, I’m all right now that I can go my own way. Don’t worry about me being lonely: Travelling alone brings me into contact with many different people. And I get to choose with whom I’d like to interact or not. So far I have met many hospitable and friendly Swedes. As for the lesson I have learnt: I’ll never join an organised tour group again!