Goodmorning, Stockholm!

As our bus pulled into the airport, we began to realize the size and scope of Stockholm. This was not Cork or Dublin, cities that are easily accessable by foot. The wide highways, open spaces, and urban atmosphere reminded us of parts of places we were already familiar with. The way you imagine a place to be and the reality of it is often different. We are dumped off the bus. It's close to midnight. We don't want to spend any money for a taxi. Shit. Time to walk.

We manage to find a computer and google saves us once again. We route a list of directions to our hostel, long names we can barely pronounce. Head east on Klarabergsviadukten. Make a right on Drottninggatan. A left on Strömgatan.

The central station is located downtown. The streets are empty, occasional younger people stroll by with their dates. Cab drivers pass up and down the highway. Bright windows light our way, lots of clothes and shoes we can't afford, but doesn't it look stylish? For a socialist country capitalism seems to be doing just fine.

The city is strange at night, the emptiness makes it seem even larger. But we feel safe. The air is cool continue to find our way.

We pass over another street and come to a bridge where people are fishing for salmon. 10 of them at least, throwing their lures over the edge and into a cold black river below.

We pass through a large green lawn in front of an enormous building. We later find out that this is a Royal Palace. There are guards with guns surrounding it.

The buildings are massive and old, but the streets seem immaculate. This, with the combination of the cool northern air, makes Stockholm appear to be the cleanest city in the world. We keep congradulating ourselves on the fact that we are 150 krona richer by walking, and richer in experience as well. Already we feel a bit warmer after jumping into this cold culture bath.

The hostel we stayed at was a small boat right on a river. It was late, probably 2 in the morning. We still have no clear idea of what this city looks like, or where we are, or what we are doing here. When we wake up, we look out from our boat to see the city in the early morning fog. Okay...we're in Stockholm now?