Blog on the Go

This is the first of my new series: Blog on the Go. This is where I post things while I am doing other things, trying with attempted grace to multitask through train rides, strolling, etc. We begin with a jewel of a day because I went both to the Vasa Museum and a Viking restaurant in Gamla Stan (old town). The very first thing I experienced in Vasa was... people cutting me in line - but after that, Swedish meatballs! I discovered that they fairly consistent from restaurant to restaurant. I love the style, gravy, and sides, so I cannot complain. Then, I went into the actual museum and there was SO much to see. But the most fantastic part of the visit was no doubt seeing the gigantic warship from 1628 in person. I can only imagine how it would have looked fully painted in reds and golds. The ship capsized after traveling 1300 meters (less than a half hour) because it was built too narrow (12m) for its height (52m) as well as its poor above-to-below-water-level ratio. So it tipped with a gust of wind, and since all the port holes were opened to salute the royal family, the water got in through the holes and the ship was at the bottom of the harbor in a few minutes. It was the most expensive ship of its time according to the museum, so it's quite interesting to see a ship like that so well-preserved after almost 400 years.

In the evening, I went to a Viking restaurant called Aifur Krog & Bar. It was an awesome place with live music, talkative and historically wise bartenders, and friendly company. I had most of the dinner with a couple from Philly, but at the end we were joined by a Swedish bachelor party. I tried the mead and the venison, and both were very good. The mead had a nice burn to it. After stomping to the beat and sharing stories, I return to the apartment to do real, deep things like laundry.

This series apparently does not include pictures.