little discoveries.

i had some errands to do today, and as i was on my way home i turned down a street about 2 blocks from my apartment. it’s a street that i walk down frequently, but it’s not my usual route. and every time i do walk down it, i get so annoyed because there has been so much construction stuff going on. it’s just been an ugly block lately. i don’t know why i went this way this afternoon, but i’m glad i did. within just a block, i realized that a lot of the construction/renovation was complete & i discovered lots of little hidden treasures…

i remembered that lina and i had read or seen something about a hotel that had opened up on the street, so i decided to check it out. but, before i made it to the hotel, a store front window caught my eye. i was not sure what kind of store it was, but it looked chic, hip, funky. i was intrigued, but i did not go in. instead, i just window-shopped a little & decided that i’d make a little visit inside another day. i was feeling so excited to have discovered something new!

as i checked out the cute, little shop, i noticed a poster in the window. it was advertising an upcoming event in norrköping. this coming saturday afternoon/evening/night is the annual culture night (kulturnatten). i’m not really sure what it entails (i have no idea what lina & i were doing last year and why we missed it), but it is an event all over the downtown area of the city with lots of music, art, drama & other cultural (duh.) things.  i will be sure to take part in it this year!!

after i finally peeled myself away from the little store, i looked across the street and saw the new hotel. i’m not sure if it is open yet, but if it’s not, it sure is close! of course i crossed the street and began pressing my nose against the windows… hehe. i am dying to go in, because it looks amazing! but, i couldn’t muster up the courage. think i’ll wait until i am certain that it is open. however, what i saw from the outside seemed to be stylish, modern, & cozy – lots of pillows, fluffy furniture, and candles. and i could see through to the back – which also looked unbelievable! i saw a bunch of wood & some greenery, so i have no idea what’s back there. gaaahhh. i am so curious! i really hope that they do well. what a cute boutique-style hotel in our neighborhood! perhaps lina & i should support them by going there for dinner one night. hehe.

when i finally tore myself away from drooling over the new hotel, i kept walking down the street toward home. i had barely gone 20 steps before i noticed a little entrance into an inner backyard area that was open. most of the time i never go into these places (because they are private), but this one advertised a few businesses, so i took a deep breath, crossed my fingers, and went in, ready to play dumb if anyone questioned why i was there. as i walked through the passageway and entered the “backyard area”, i realized that this was no ordinary backyard. in fact, it was a passageway that wound through some trees and out to another street. it was perfectly quiet and beautiful. what an awesome find in the middle of the city!

so, here’s what i was reminded of again today. never be afraid to take a different route, to try something new. never forget to open your eyes a little – i guarantee that you will see something new, even in something that is old & familiar. and never judge something solely from the outside – it may actually be a cute little boutique, or a classy new hotel, or a bunch of trees in the middle of boring buildings. we never know what we might find if we simply open our eyes and look around, if we’re willing to explore a little and take some risks.

here’s to wishing you a day filled with new surprises, beautiful things, and peace in your heart.