Stockholm the city of water

I visited the only childhood friend I still regularly meet and talk to last Saturday, he makes me laugh and I never have to doubt we are friends. We have a tradition together - every Christmas we go for a walk in one of the days leading up to Christmas Eve. Both of us used to be with our parents in our hometown around then and would go across the bridge to the island you saw across the bay from my parents' house.

This year he was still in Stockholm where he lives so we walked along the water edge in the capital instead. I love how Stockholm is a city built on a collection of islands, connected to the vast archipelago further out, you're never far from the water. In our hometown it's the same - you get your sense of direction depending on whether you're moving towards the water, away from or alongside. Where I live now I miss it more than I realise until I go home and smell the air, watch the flickering sunlight on the waves or hear the lapping and the gulls.

He's got it good though - he lives in a highrise a block away from this view. In the summer he gets his towel and goes for a swim and a sun-bath on the smooth rocks. The water is really quite clean, you used to be able to drink it.

We walked along the water to the city centre, past this building that I loved the colour of.

This is my favourite photo though - those ferry boats go out into the archipelago in the summer. Sometime I will bring you on a proper tour of the Stockholm I know, which isn't the hip bars, fancy shops or historical buildings. It's the parks I've had my packed lunches in, the long streets with tiny bookshops and blocks to get lost in and the winding cobblestoned Old Town. :)

Comments

[Clara Plarr]

Beautiful description :)
Once I was very much in love in Stockholm. I spent there a magical week that I'll never forget in my life. Now that I recall it I’m sure that the city atmosphere was part of it. It looked like an enchanted city.
Wish you an enchanted 2008.

[maddie]

I feel like such a happy armchair
traveler with you ~ sipping green tea with
honey at present and gazing at your
photos ~ I can smell the air and hear
your friend laughing joyfully at your
enthusiastic comments:)

[PixieDust]

What a beautiful tradition, and beautiful views... I cannot wait for the tour... we will walk arm in arm while you show me your special places, yes?

:-)

(((HUGS))),
Love,
me

[daisies]

what an absolutely amazing tradition, so incredibly beautiufl :) i am drinking in these sights :)