Today I ate some wild berries. I have no idea if they’re poisonous or not, but they didn’t have much taste, so I think I’m okay. But if I die, I’ll die a happy man because I’ve had the most wonderful day.
I’m spending a few nights at Saltsjöbaden, a seaside town on the Baltic, about twenty minutes by train from the middle of Stockholm. I’m not sure why, but accommodation for these few days in Stockholm is quite expensive – except at the hostels. So on the weekend when I went looking for somewhere to stay this was the cheapest I could find. But it’s also the best accommodation I’ve had this trip. I could be staying in the centre of Stockholm in a small room without windows for the same price I am paying here, and yet my room here is huge and looks out onto the frozen sea. Absolutely gorgeous!
After the excitement of pop concerts and Stockholm bars, today was the day I went back to nature. As I walked around the area there were times when the beauty of the environment almost took my breath away.
As winter turns into spring, the ice is melting and the plant-life hidden beneath the snow is being revealed. The colours of white, brown, green and yellow (and others) mix beautifully together here. And when you see something colourful in the whiteness of the snow, it captures your eye, and then your tastebuds.
There’s a downside to it all. I had a bit of a fall. I was walking around a little nearby island, and fell about a ten feet down the slope. The snow is more forgiving, thankfully, than rocks. And although I’m a little sore, I’m fine.
I went to nearby Fisksatra to the local supermarket to buy a few things. Like many “end of the line” towns, it’s home to a lot of immigrants it seems, based on the faces of people I saw shopping there. Deep suburbia!
Though Stockholm is close enough to go back to if I want or need, I think I’ll stay happily here for a few days.
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