see you again soon, stockholm.

i read somewhere today that this past weekend was the last one before all of the hectic crazy holiday activities begin. what?! could that be true? well, i took a look at my calendar, and considering this week is thanksgiving in the states, and since christmas markets are beginning to pop up here in sweden, i guess it’s true. the season will be in full swing come this weekend. wow. it’s hard to believe… and i cannot really express how excited i am. can you see the big grin on my face?

but, since the craziness is right around the corner and this weekend was the last non-holiday weekend in 2012, i am super glad i had the chance to spend it in stockholm. a great way to end the “regular” weekends of 2012. we were quite busy, and at the same time took it easy. at least it feels that way to me. so, here come some snapshots i snagged while in sweden’s capital city.

i love me some public transportation. a beautiful sunset at 3:30 from the bus to stockholm and the central subway station at 5pm. crazy packed with people.

and while she worked away, i hung out at a nearby mall, taking in the christmas lights & enjoying a chai latte. tough stuff, i know.

then, it was back to the subway & on to another part of the city to meet up with our friend at her place, who was hosting us for the rest of the weekend. and after settling in & eating dinner… downtown stockholm. aka “gamla stan”/”old town”.

while in the old town, we went to a cellar down below all the old buildings to see our friends play a gig. they are from the same city we are from, and they just happened to have a gig that night in stockholm. crazy timing, huh? it was a cozy evening of music, wine, & good company.

after a super good night’s sleep, we had a cozy breakfast at home and then headed back out. the subway was full every single time we were on it, so it was all about standing, holding on, & trying not to fall down. hehe.

we shopped & walked. and walked & shopped. and then, tired & hungry, we found a cozy, crazy bagel bakery/cafe decorated like an actual living room from the 70s/80s. it was the perfect place to stop, rest, & refuel on some yummy bagels. a veggie bagel with avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, & mozzarella and a nutella/peanut butter bagel were on tap for lina & me. delish.

our wonderful friend acted as a guide all weekend long, and after the shopping was all done, we headed to a tasty tapas restaurant for dinner in Vasa Stan, checked out a local hippie shop (reminded me so much of asheville!), and then found a funky tiki bar in a cellar. yes, there are cellars everywhere in stockholm. there’s a lot happening underground. hehe. cheers!

sunday morning, we took a walk in the cold, gray, fresh air. a completely typical november day here in sweden. still, it was beautiful. and a little stop at a cafe for some coffee upped the coziness factor big time.

and then, it was time to board the subway one more time before climbing onboard the bus for a cozy ride back home.

goodbye, stockholm. you did not disappoint. see you in a month when we leave for the states!

peace.