How Meatloaf feels about the residents of Sweden and team suspension activity

Since arriving in Stockholm yesterday, I have conducted an exhaustive study and concluded that if you are Swedish, you are in possession of at least two of my three favourite things, namely:
- a bicycle
- a beard
- a dog.
And we all know what Meatloaf would have to say about THAT.

I mean, look at this power couple right here. Heavens.








Suffice to say, Stockholm is wonderful and I wish to never leave. It is design heaven, shopping heaven, open public space heaven, bike heaven, and did I mention the blokes? I do not wish to bang on about such things but it is simply phenomenal just how beautiful and well-dressed the menfolk are in Stockholm (especially in the fashionable Sodermalm area, where I am staying.)

I have a strong desire to learn Swedish ASAP so I asked the bloke in the deli how to say 'thank you very much.' Tomorrow I am going to master good morning and good afternoon. Progress!

Something rad happened today. I woke up at 4am (not incredibly rad) without any plans for the day (especially for those hours between 4 and 10am). So I decided to go for a long walk. Equipping myself with water rations and sensible shoes, I walked by the loch from Slussen to Gamla Stan and stumbled across the Royal Palace. It is worth noting that I could not give a proverbial hoot about royals, but it's not every day a girl gets to see her first ever castle.







A throng was gathering outside the Royal Palace and I noticed that there were a lot of people with proper grown-up photographic equipment (note: I do not include Instagram in this description.) So I figured something newsworthy must be scheduled. And lo, a huge crowd eventually gathered, and a casual marching band strolled through the throng.







Turns out it was a national holiday in Sweden today, which warranted the King coming out to address his loyal subjects, along with, I think, a Swedish prince and princess. (I did not understand a word of the speech, but a lovely Romanian bloke next to me explained a little.) I'm thinking of developing an interest in the Swedish royal family. I could start a scrapbook as a hobby and/or pastime.

The castle was then opened to the public, so I went inside and saw a small child pushing a wheelbarrow full of danish (the pastry, not the nationality) and an hilarious Viking flowerbed.













I spent a fair chunk of my time in parks today, which is apparently the done thing on a national holiday such as this. Lots of groups of young people having enormous amounts of fun, including a couple of large soccer matches, such as the below.







Now, I have played the occasial team sport (poorly) and as such I am aware of the convention of shirts vs chests. Totally fine with it. However, I have never before come across shorts vs jeans-and-SUSPENDERS vs one poor kid running around in his Underdaks. Hilarity!

Also, some necessary suspender adjustment "teamwork" in the net thingy.







Tomorrow, some bike riding and museums and what-have-you. Hurrah!

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