Today was an earlier morning to catch my 7am train to Stockholm then Gothenburg. I initially woke around 3, looked outside and was amazed to see it was already getting light- I am very far north! I did manage to sleep a few more hours before getting up to make coffee and have breakfast. In the hostel kitchen I met a woman from Germany who had just spent the last month hiking the Kungsladen, a hiking trail that covers much of northern Sweden. She said the first 3 weeks were really hot and the last week it rained. Fun?! Actually I would love to do that hike, though not in the heat. I’ve been hearing that this summer has been an unusually warm one for Sweden, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad normally.
The train to Stockholm was only partially full when we left Umea, but by the time we got to Sundsvall, about 1/2 way to Stockholm, it had filled up, not surprising for a Saturday in the summer I suppose. Lucky I had a window seat, though it had a partially obscured view. At least I know I have a single window seat on the way to Gothenburg. LOL- I’m such a picky, entitled American!
There was an adorable dog waiting to get on the train with its owner in Stockholm.The trip from Stockholm to Gothenburg was much less crowded than my earlier train, though for much of the journey it was not quite so sunny, lots of clouds in the sky.
I found my way from the train station to the place I’ll be staying for my last few days in Sweden, it was about a half an hour walk from the train station. It felt really good to stretch my legs. I’ve got a studio apartment on the waterfront, which includes a washer/dryer. I feel very spoiled! It’s part of a group of ‘waterfront cabins’, a collection of buildings anywhere from 3 to 7 stories tall with a variety of apartment sizes. I had reserved a studio that faced into the courtyard, because that was much less expensive than one facing the harbor and I wasn’t too worried about the view, knowing I’d be spending most of my time out and about. But, I lucked out and got a fifth floor studio with a partial harbor view looking toward tree covered hills that also faces the sunset! It’s very private as there are no tall buildings facing mine. I dropped my stuff off, then took a 15 minute walk to the closest grocery store, stocking up on breakfast and dinner food for the next few days. After I left Willy’s, the grocery store, I went past a restaurant and bar with live music, the band was playing a raucous Swedish song and the crowd was dancing happily. If I’d had more energy and wasn’t carrying perishables I would’ve stayed and listened for a while. But I made my way back as I still needed to do laundry and was ready to be done moving around. This is my first time using a combo washer/dryer, and though it took over six hours to wash and dry my clothes, it seemed to do a pretty good job. The studio’s sleeping area is in a loft up a very narrow, steep staircase, and the ceiling is quite low, even I have to duck down! But, since I’m only using it for sleeping, it doesn’t really matter. I got my laundry started, made some dinner, watched the sunset and soon it was time for bed. I can’t believe I only have another four days in Sweden – where has the time gone?
