I’m here, but though I’m able to access my blog’s admin page, I cannot, for some mysterious reason, access Google. Not sure what’s up with that, but whatever. Please forgive any typos or nonsense, because I’m rather tired, having gotten very little sleep on the planes and also having walked about a gazillion kilometres, most of them dragging luggage that seemed heavier than I remembered it being back home in my flat.
My general, nonbinding, cranky-first-day impressions follow in list format, because I seriously doubt I could construct long paragraphs right now that are up to even my usual standards. (Scary, isn’t it?)
The Stockholm metro apparently does not take credit cards for their tickets, at least at the Central Train Station point. Strangely enough, I was completely unable to find a single cash point in the station, despite walking through several times. Obviously, this could’ve been because I was already worn out, but several treks through the station yielded no obvious ATMs. It was only two stops, and I had a map, so I decided to hell with it: I’d walk.
Walking up hills and on cobblestone pavings and/or streets while pulling heavy luggage is somewhat painful after a while. I may not be able to move the right upper side of my body tomorrow.
The walk/don’t walk signs here change really quickly. If the little green person starts to blink, you have way less time to finish crossing than you do in the States.
So far, the city is quite pretty, though I haven’t seen much of it except the bit between the train station and Gamla Stan, and a bit of Sodermalm (sorry — don’t know how to do special characters on Errol the Mac), when I trekked across the bridge and up a great big hill to find some food at the organic market. (There’s an organic, vegan-friendly bread shop on Gamla Stan, but they don’t seem to carry much beyond bready things; there’s also a vegetarian restaurant one street up and a few blocks over, but I didn’t feel up to dealing with a restaurant yet. At least in a grocer’s you can pick out your own stuff and keep your mouth shut except to say hello and thanks.) I now have bread, three oranges, strawberry-lime juice, and vegan gyros-style sausages. Sadly, the room does not have a kettle, so the ramen noodles I brought are pretty much useless.
Anyway, I’m obviously incoherent and very tired, and also rather hungry. I’m going to try to rip open the soysage packaging with my teeth so I can eat something, and then maybe take a shower before I conk out.
YAY - you made it safely! I’m very glad to hear that, and to know that you will be keeping us updated on your blog. Woo hoo! Have fun seeing all the great things - take lots of photos! And don’t you dare think about work even once. :)
November 22nd, 2006 | #
The central train station doesn’t have an ATM? How odd.
I’m so glad you have Internet access. Christi has made me a huge fan of the travel blog.
Have a great time. Enjoy some Glogg for me. :)
November 22nd, 2006 | #
I can’t promise that my travel blogging will be anywhere as interesting as Christi’s, but I’ll try. :)
And I might’ve just missed the cues for the cash machines. Entirely possible, though frustrating.
November 23rd, 2006 | #
Glad to know you’re still alive. Nigel says “Hi.”
November 25th, 2006 | #