And I Said Oh-Kay: Stockholm: The Last Leg of My European Tour

Given recent terroist attacks in Stockholm, it seems only fitting that I blog about the last leg of my 2010 European tour, specifically how much I loved the city. Stockholm is an amazing place. It's impossible not to feel at home in Stockholm. During my first ten minutes there, a pretty blond woman waved hello through a bar window, and it was a hell of a greeting. Everyone, and I mean everyone, in Stockholm was gorgeous. Even the homeless people. And, they were all nice, too. 

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The city itself was clean beyond comparison, and you could swim in their main lake. Imagine being able to do that in the East River. The air was light and crisp, the bars were fun (until someone farted and broke a glass), and the city was beyond accepting. And did I mention all of the breathtaking royal buildings, and the charm of Old Town. I'd give Stockholm a 9 out of 10. It loses a point because I couldn't pronounce the street names. Though translating "Tyrkse Steade" to "Tyra Banks Street" was a highlight of the trip. 

So, despite recent occurances, I'd urge everyone to still go for a visit. It's sad that these things happen, and I guess I'm fortuante to having visited two months ago, but we can overcome them by continuing to live. Stockholm, like most of Scandanavia can be a little pricey, so here are some tips for my fellow broke-ass travelers:

1) Stay at the Rex Petit Hotel. Small room (with bunk beds and no window) in a luxury hotel in a great area of town that's half the price of others.

2) Explore the restaurants of Vasastan, a large, mainly residential area which recently has attracted a younger crowd. They are much cheaper than ones in tourist areas.

3) A tour of the Stockholm archipelago is a little pricey, around 35 bucks, but very worth it. Get there half an hour before, though, or the boat will leave without you!

4) Avoid the club, "Manhattan." Not worth the price of admission.

5) Contrary to popular belief, Stockholm isn't a small city, but you can see evrything in 2-3 days. You'll want to avoid the metro (it is pricey) and stroll stroll stroll to your heart's content. The best areas are Gamla Stan (Old Town), Soldermalm (trendy, and a little gay), and Normalm (shopping galore).