An Ocean Away and I'm Still Doing Dishes

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  Stockholm, Sweden
Sunday, July 27, 2008

Last night I went to the EuroPride opening party. It was actually held in the upper floors of an opera house. Crazy, ne? To be honest, it wasn't an incredibly great party. The rooms could have stood to be more full, but what can you do? Regardless of all that, I ended up having a really great time overall. I ended up meeting a local named Fabian and we hung out for most of the night. I am so thankful that so many people in this city speak English!

Today's been a lazy day. I slept in, then bought groceries. I know? I'm on vacation, but I still end up getting groceries and preparing my own meals. To be honest, this is the first place I've done a lot of that. The hostel here has a really great kitchen and food in Stockholm is rather expensive. I figured it was time to try and give my wallet a break, so tonight I'm making penne with a basil pasta sauce and ground beef.

Speaking of food, I have eaten way too much McDonald's on this trip. I don't eat it often back home, but over in Europe, where I'm supposed to be trying new foods and experiencing local culture and all of that, I still have had McDonald's like 4 times already. Trust me, this isn't out of a desire to slowly kill myself with a coronary. Sometimes you find you just need some comfort food. Or you've arrived late in a brand new city and can't find anything open near your hostel aside from McD's and, really, you just want some cheap food quickly because it's too much to worry about on top of everything else. Hopefully I can stay away for most of the rest of the trip, but it is interesting to see what sorts of food they have in a local McD's. Thus far, the McFlurries seem to have the most variety. I've seen some really tasty-looking versions. There's one here that seems like it's supposed to taste like a specific brand of ice cream bar called Soliel. Truth be told, it does look rather yummy.

Sweet things. Oh my god, do the Swedes have a taste for candy! I swear, this must be paradise. What with the friendliness, the hot boys, the weather, the openness and acceptance, and the candy, Sweden kicks ass! Trust me, the candy here is spectacular! And they have such a great variety! Chocolate balls with coconut and hazelnut, crispy caramel bars, and the sheer spectrum of gummy candy available is wonderful! And this is just what I've seen at a small supermarket! Even if you came here for the candy alone, it would be a worthwhile trip.

I think tonight is going to be my last night out in Stockholm. Well, partying it up until the late hours, that is. Apparently on Sunday nights the place to go is this bar called Patricia which is also a restaurant and also, get this, a boat! I'm gonna be  partying it up on a boat! The one problem with going out here I've noticed is that everything starts so late. even back home, the crowds don't really get going until midnight or 01.00, but at least the place is open earlier so a lonely traveler can kill some time before the action begins. Here things don't even really open until 23.00.

Anyway, it's time for me to make some food. By the way, try grocery shopping in a country where you don't speak the language. It's really an odd experience trying to track down your staples. Plus, you get to see the fun taste combinations the local culture has to offer. They seem to like tropical flavours here (another bonus!) and I saw tropical yogurt, candy, and salsa, among many other things.

-Justen

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