Sunday Funday

Sunday came a bit early this week...considering Sweden just had their daylight savings (now 6 hours ahead of the east cost).  Following a splendid little fruit, yogurt, and muesli chowfest, I managed to take a good 'ol chunk out of The Art of Fielding (Thanks Dawn!).

It was an amazing day, and the KTH Orchestra was holding a free concert at 17:00--that's right, I converted to the 24-hour clock--at the famous Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset), so I gave myself some time to walk down to the northern tip of Kungsholmen.  I decided to take Drottninggatan, a long pedestrian street with lots of shops and cafes...those Swedes sure do love to shop!

After dodging the crowds of tourists carrying massive H&M bags, I made it to the City Hall...which, by the way, is where the Nobel Prize is awarded!  Situated right on the water, the building is quite stunning.  There is a large open courtyard in the center, with another outdoor terrace in the back along the water...a nice place to bring a female.

Although the large sun-lit hall where the concert was held had non-ideal acoustics (I could imagine), the atmosphere more than made up for it.  My excitement and interest, however, piqued during the three tracks from Harry Potter (Hedwig's Flight, Nimbus 2000, and Harry's Wondrous World), and I quickly found myself staring at the performers more than enjoying the sounds.  The conductor, in his white coat and bow tie, had a striking resemblance to Colonel Sanders, and the woman playing the harp seemed to have been quite ruffled that the composer of the Harry Potter songs failed to fit her instrument into the piece...

Sunday cooking at the villa is becoming a tradition, I once again headed out to Wing and Michael's place in Täby. This time it was knödels in a cheesy-leek sauce and some apple pie with vanilla ice-cream.  Having taken a class on knödels (which are boiled bread dumplings with a consistency that reminds me on gnocchi), Michael presided over the main course with Wing.  As the lone American in attendance, which has so far been the case here in Stockholm, I set off with the apple pie...trying to make Mom proud!

The knödels looked great, and tasted better...I will definitely be eating some of those again sometime soon.  Although it was no Patty Mags Homemade Apple Pie, and it appeared as though i made the top layer of the pie just a bit too thick, nothing beats warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream...nothing.

Just another lazy sunday in Stockholm...

Brain Food

Homemade dough? Check.  Mozzarella, tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, onions, and some delicious cured meats? Check!  Before Study Period 4 officially began, I headed over to Michael and Wing's "villa" to whip up some pizza...straight artisanry.  With two large sheet pies stuffed in the small European oven, leftovers were on the menu...

A handful of the 17 other housemates joined us in the kitchen for a meal of their own, and BAM! Impromptu potluck!  Pan fried prawns over white wine arborio rice and thin-crust pizza...what a combo.  The food was great, and the company was fantastic...not a bad start if you ask me!

Tour #1

Maria led Mahir and I on a winding tour through a few areas of Stockholm.  With the sun nowhere to be seen, we started out in the markets of Norrmalm, and headed East towards Berzelii Park and Kungsträdgården...both of which should be beautiful once the weather warms and things turn green.  After saying hello to the Swedish Parliament, we came across this, um....ear, that was sitting all by itself on the wall of the Stockholm Palace...very strange!

A few wet-willies later, we were knee-deep in Gamla stan enjoying our afternoon fika. Following a mediocre hot chocolate, I came across this gate that seemed to be smirking at us...

On the way to Sergel's Torg (Sergel's Square) we were able to catch a rare glimpse of a troll in its native habitat...protecting the front of a tourist shop.

What a great introduction to Stockholm...lots more of the city to explore!

Bye-Bye Urbana

As I see it, there is no better place to begin a long day of traveling than in the arms of the Alma Matter with Kai and Katherine.  Though sad, goodbyes are never all that bad when you are busy hanging around with friends

Nearly 18 hours after catching the 13S at Lincoln Square in Urbana, I found myself staring two twin-beds straight in the face!  I am not sure I will ever understand the purpose of having two small beds pressed together under a large headboard, but who knows, that may all change over the course of the next three months...

Lots to see, lots to do, lots to eat, lots to learn...One day down, many more to go.