Stockholm. In the middle of Viking land.
It was my first time in Sweden. What a pleasant surprise it was.
I have had dealings with the other Scandinavians, both with Norway and Denmark, with Norwegians and Danish. Great people. And they all, practically all, told me that the Swedes were somehow stuffy and rule oriented. I did not have the faintest idea that they could be so much fun to be with. Unique. At least from what I could see in Stockholm.
For instance. There is this great old church right in the middle of the old town, Storkyrkan, The Great Church. The inside has beautiful gothic lines, but really beautiful and spiritual. But then the surprises abound, revealing of an aspect of the Swedes that I did not suspect or imagine, and that I found again and again.
The thing is that they put huge objects, slightly out of character, right in the middle of things. Like, beside the altar there is this huge sculpture of a dragon being given an hard time by saint George. A dragon, sweet looking and slightly pissed by the treatment.
I was not surprised by an hanging ex voto ship. I saw those already in reformed churches in Scandinavia. But I was a bit surprised by a statue with guns right beside the altar.
You can enjoy many stimulating details with a
panoramic view.
Try to see the royal seats. Over them there are huge golden drapes, but really huge, the hugest.
A similar thing with the town hall. What an architecture. I found myself right in the middle of … the Lord of the Rings. Moon, stars, a huge roof for a balcony facing the waters … Gold everywhere.
Yes they like gold, that's for sure. What a fantastic place. These Swedes are really a lot of fun. Not alien, certainly westerner, but with a fancy for the surprising proportions. Juicy.
It was a short visit, only 5 days but packed with pleasant surprises and rewarding experiences, like the fanciest dinner I had in a
restaurant that gives you many mini dishes of this modern cooking style, each accompanied by its special drink (not only wines, but also superb beers) in small glasses so that I could enjoy really weird stuff without being overly intoxicated. Very pleasant. I was so lucky to be accompanied by a highly sophisticated culinary expert that showed me how to appreciate the things at their best. Like I was told that to enjoy it I had to learn how to eat it. Just like that. Scandinavian way. Which I did. Took a bite. Put down fork and knife. Tasted it. A bit of conversation. A little sip. A bit of self searching, then on again. Wonderful.
What did I see? A part from the wonderful sight from the hotel room?
And getting often lost in the beautiful town? A great
photographic exposition of Mapplethorpe, that was memorable.
Very well structured. So that the life long search for formal perfection comes clear, reassuring, gratifying. Even the last self portraits, not that far from the end, show a great interior peace, ironic, amused, friendly, very touching. My good luck never leaves me wanting so that I visited the exposition with a talented photographer: the discussion and the comments were enlightening and increased my appreciation. Had lunch on the premises, in front of the water, surrounded by those long legged beauties, some sitting near by, some going their way, some alone, some in company, whatever. Never scaring, nor forbidding, neither inviting. Just being. Like self contained. Great town.
Personal stuff? Pledge the fifth.
Next stop? Ste. Maxime in the gulf of St. Tropez for 3 weeks of family life, beach, lunch, siesta, fooling around, a bit of swimming pool, dinner, over and over again. Little Daughter is 4, she has learned to swim and to bicycle. Will see. Leaving Saturday.