Sunday, September 25, 2016

Stockholm Photoshoot

There is so much to see and do in Stockholm the following photos hardly scratch the surface. Stockholm is also one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen and these just do not capture the vibrancy of this amazing city. But here is a peek at some of what I saw during my week in Stockholm.


This is the Stockholm Concert Hall rising above the market stalls in Hรถtorget square. This was the view I had while enjoying my hotel's breakfast buffet every morning.


At Skansen, the open-air museum, we met a reindeer relaxing on the grass.


This is a sample of an interior from one of the many dwellings and shops at Skansen. Note the stove decorated with porcelain tile against the wall. Stoves were the way to keep interiors warm prior to central heating. 


The members of the world famous pop band ABBA were there to welcome me at the ABBA museum. Well, at least their likeness was there.


The exterior of the beautiful Nordic Museum.


This is one of the many exhibits at the Nordic Museum. Here is their collection showing us the history of formal table settings.


This model of the ship is part of the Vasa Museum. The actual Vasa ship is on display but the lighting is kept very low in that section in order to preserve the ship, thus the photos were not very successful.


Here is another model, this time of a Viking ship on display at the Swedish History Museum.


The building is the Royal Swedish Opera House and a statute of King Gustav III who ruled Sweden from 1771 until his assassination in 1792. The King was shot by members of a political coup while attending a masquerade ball at the Opera House. He didn't die immediately but several days later from an infection in the wound.


Here is the interior of the Chapel at the Royal Palace.


This is the main square of Old Town called Stortorget and is one of the most iconic scenes of Stockholm.


So that is just a bit of what one can see in the capital of Sweden. If you get the chance, definitely go!
Until next week...
Take care!
-m




Sunday, September 18, 2016

Coming Soon...

I had a busy week working on some freelance jobs for professional productions and for Central. Exciting things are cooking for the coming months.

London is coming alive again. August is notoriously sleepy as everyone seems to take vacations or escape to various arts festivals.

I have new neighbors in my accommodations. We said goodbye to our representatives from Italy, Poland and two from the UK and welcome newbies from India, Sri Lanka and York (which is the UK but the accent is really difficult for me to understand).

I am still working through my photos from Stockholm. I am hoping to post those very soon.

That is really all there is to report for now. Short and sweet and I'll see you next week!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Back to the Blog and Stunning Stockholm

Last week there was an interruption in our regular blog postings because I was traveling. I thought I might have time to post but it didn't happen in the end. But this week, we are back!

I returned to London late yesterday and have not had the chance to sort through the bazillion photos. Next week's blog post will include some of those.

So, where was I? I spent a full week in Stockholm, Sweden. There is so much to do in Stockholm, I know I only scratched the surface. It is a beautiful city with excellent public transportation and very tourist friendly. The fact that I do not speak Swedish was not a problem at all. Every Swedish person I encountered at shops, restaurants and attractions spoke English. Their fluency in English was truly exceptional and I, again, am a bit ashamed I don't have mastery of at least one other language. That's a common feeling for me here in Europe where a great portion of the people I encounter speak at least two languages if not three or four. A goal for the future I think.

I took a bus tour to start. The bus tours are fantastic because they help one get a sense of the layout of the city while hitting all the popular spots and detailing some history.

Several museums were on my agenda. The first was an open-air, living history museum and zoological center called Skansen. At Skansen, I walked around the expansive property and viewed buildings and town center recreations from several centuries spanning from the 16th century through the early part of the 20th century. Museum employees dress in the period appropriate attire and perform tasks and skills from the various eras. Glassblowers, bakers, potters, and metalsmiths were all hard at work on their crafts. Shopkeepers and domestic workers tended to their duties. In the animal section, I saw various barnyard animals including cows and chickens kept as they would have been in 18th and 19th centuries. In another portion, I viewed reindeer, European bison, wolves and seals; just to name a few.

After Skansen, I walked across the street to finish off my day at the ABBA museum where I got the full story on Sweden's biggest musical export, as well as some information on other Swedish singers and musicians.

I also visited the Vasa Museum where one can view the famous Vasa ship from the 17th century that was salvaged and restored beginning in 1961. It is 98% original and was incredibly well preserved in the waters where it sank almost immediately after setting sail from Stockholm.

Another museum visited was the Nordic Museum. Film and theatre designers should definitely visit the Nordic Museum. It contains exhibits on furniture through the centuries, clothing through the centuries and formal table settings through the centuries.

The Swedish History Museum walked me through prehistoric civilizations in the region to the Vikings on through the years to today.

The Royal Palace has several sections to visit including the chapel, the royal apartments, the armory and the treasury; where the crown jewels are kept.

A walk through Old Town on cobblestone streets is a walk through history with buildings dating back hundreds of years.

The Nobel Prize Museum was also on my list where I learned about the history of the prize and some of the recipients of the award.

Two churches also got my attention. The German Church in Old Town is a gorgeous building that dates back to the 1580s.  The Riddarholm Church is also in Old Town and is where visitors can pay their respects to many of the past kings of Sweden and their families.

If you like more modern elements, Stockholm has plenty for those interested in the cutting edge of design and fashion. I myself didn't spend too much time in the clothing stores but the world's leading designers are to be found in the heart of Stockholm. Architecture, interior, and furniture design are also well represented in Stockholm.

If history and fashion are not of interest, those with sea legs will find a multitude of opportunities to board a boat. I was not able to emerge from the central part of Stockholm in the time I was there but for those looking to commune with nature in the great outdoors, an excursion to nearby island and country estates is certainly possible. And if one doesn't have time to travel far, central Stockholm is filled with lush parks and green spaces.

In short, there is something for everyone in Stockholm. If you get a chance to go, you most certainly should! And order dessert! You won't be disappointed!

Next week I will post some photos. Until then, start planning your trip to Stockholm!

Take care!
-m