Stockholm Syndrome.

I went to Stockholm for the weekend. It was good.

There were a few firsts involved:

First actual proper trip out of the country since I got here (Scotland doesn't really count)

First time flying on Ryanair/super budget airline that doesn't even assign seats/rings a bell when you land on time/announces over the PA that 50% of their flights arrived on time last year like it's something to be proud of.

First time being stuck on a plane on the tarmac 'waiting for paperwork' for over an hour in a way too warm plane with no free food or water and a group of loud New Zealanders who were making it their mission to talk as loudly as possible/make me wish I spoke with like an American accent or something instead.

First time staying in a hostel with communal showers. Like 4 showers in a room with no cubicles and no curtains kind of communal. (Luckily we found another bathroom that only had 2 showers and a main door that locked otherwise I seriously would not have showered the entire weekend)


Mostly we spent the whole weekend wandering around the city.

There were many hazards to contend with:

Therefore I mostly walked very slowly. Really did not want a repeat of Edinburgh broken ankleness.


Some people were very reckless and ventured out on frozen water:

I guess they thought there message was important enough to risk it?


My bear friend also came along for the trip. Sadly one ear was accidentally amputated as I attempted to remove him from my pocket... hopefully it can be reattached.

I learnt that people from Sweden (Swedes?) hate Avril Lavigne also:

And sometimes you are not allowed to hold children's hands:

It was a pretty cool city and I would definitely go back there and spend more time exploring. Clare, hurry up and get your butt over here.