I left my heart in Stockholm
Stockholm in the middle of winter. The bitumen is covered in grey slush and the cobblestone streets varnished with unsuspecting ice. The flecks of snow that fall gently from the overcast sky disappears into droplets of water on concrete walls, ending their short-lived life.
Walking along Stadsgårdsleden and looking beyond the icy-canals of Stockholm, there is a faint outline of the cityscape skyline hidden behind thick mist. It’s an unusual sight from the usual stock imagery of a vibrant Stockholm. The city is enveloped in a blanket of grey.
Still, I could not calm my beating heart and the electrifying excitement running through my veins. With the rough winds beating at my rosy-cheeks and the snow dampening my hair, every little step through the Swedish capital was a new discovery – a Stockholm through a new lens.
Every once in a while, the little rays of sunshine that peeped through the clouds became the extra cream on top of a semla (or in other words, not necessary, but very much appreciated).
Despite the grim weather, being in and amongst the narrow cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan gave the trip the colour it was missing. A peep of the morning sun filtering it’s light through a desolate laneway, catching the sheen of teal-coloured windows. Fresh flowers lining the pathway outside boutique florists, breathing life into the sodden city.
The heart of Stockholm is not in the weather. It’s not in the expectations of a city bustling with life nor is it in the hipster cafés and artsy fartsy shops of Södermalm. The heart of a city is what you make of it.
This could be a tale of Stockholm Syndrome, but Stockholm didn’t steal my heart. It didn’t keep me captive nor hold me for ransom. I walked the city streets and I left my heart in Stockholm. The tale is as simple as that.
Here are my favourite photos from my time in Stockholm.
Thanks to the lovely people for coming by to my Stockholm meet-up and saying hej! It was wonderful to meet you guys and you made my day 🙂