What can happen when you have five days off, no plans, but a desire to do something different?
Refusing any kind of plan, I picked a random destination, booked the flight from a remote airport, and prepared myself for any situation.
But before
Edimburgh
My great mistake
Stockholm was the intention, but due to a booking mistake, I ended up travelling to Edinburgh first. It was a positive surprise, and despite the cold, the trip was full of warm memories.
It was the last day of a cold November and I was waiting at Victoria Station for an overnight bus trip to Edinburgh. Just me, my 8kg rucksack containing essential items for survival and a big desire to escape from my routine.
At 7am, before sunrise, I’d arrived in Edinburgh and had already climbed the Carlton Hill to see the first light of the day at a historical and mystical place. The rain wasn’t strong enough to stop me from wandering and getting lost among the hills, castles, old villages, museums and streets adorned with Christmas decorations.
A few years ago, if someone had told me that one day I’d be having breakfast in a cemetery, I’d have thought it was a joke. In fact, it was the perfect spot to imagine the experiences of the people whose names were engraved on a tombstone. It was also the closest place to wait for the opening time of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
In front of the museum was a welcome garden – a meaningful place, as the lawn was landscaped by Charles Jencks, inspired by the chaos theory. Perhaps the only theory that can sum up my trip.
For the first time, I saw the life-size “Ten Marilyns” by Andy Warhol. I love pop art, Warhol’s irony, impact and his reflection on repetition. That exhibition – “I want to be a machine”– proved to be an inspiration for my upcoming projects.
At the Scottish National Gallery, I was invited by chance to participate in a pop-up “Can-Can” dance experience, as part of the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition. The class was a funny cinematographic episode with a cardio and laughing exercise. And to complete the Lautrec experience, there was some lemon crepe tasting and French music, which made me feel like I was on my way to Paris instead.
Back in a British mood
I couldn’t avoid the Christmas market, enjoying the warming happiness of the festive time, and of course, I didn’t miss having some haggis at the pub before my departure to a Scandinavian land.
Finally
Sweden
Why not start with my first mistake upon arrival to Sweden?
Buying fizzy water as I didn’t understand the language. It was not funny. I really hate fizzy water.
The city of islands
Stockholm is divided but also connected by different bridges. A perfect combination of waterways and green spaces, romantic human-made sceneries and natural, landscaped views.
It is calm – perfect for relaxation. The serenity of the water and the silence of cold air made me fully aware of my deep breath.
Even though it is a capital city, busy and active, the routine and people’s movements looked like they were in slow motion. I was surprised by the architecture. The charming houses in the middle of a forest are a perfect illustration for fairy tales.
Forgetting the Royal Palace or the monarchy’s icons, it’s still possible to feel enchanted and it’s a brain wave for any romance. Even the brief appearance of sunlight can move us into another chapter. At some points, it is impossible not to dare to dream.
The Nordic winter days are quite short, but we don’t need to rush. Plus all the Christmas illuminations help us to enjoy the city at night as well. The best way to beat the low temperature is to always hold a hot drink, enter into all the traditional shops and be inspired by the amazing Scandinavian style.
As an art and design lover, I couldn’t miss the Moderna Museet. After finally meeting some of my art history references, I discovered the Olafur Eliasson work and fell for his concept.
Last but not least, my recommendation is to embrace the local vibe by trying to understand and use the Swedish word FIKA. The word means, ‘Take a break for a coffee and a bite to eat.’ It is the concept of enjoying the moment, slowing down and appreciating the good and simple things in life.
After all that, I completely forgot the typical souvenirs (maybe because I took on the minimalistic Scandinavian style to focus only on essential things).
Somehow, I did finish my experience regenerated, as a detox trip. All the time without witnesses or great photos to prove it, but instead, memories to feel the experience and a story to tell later. And that is what really matters, isn’t it?
