Last week came and went, and so did I. I went to Sweden with my Sustainability in Europe program to learn all there is to know about just how Scandinavia has managed to be so green and so pretty. Besides being "The Capital of Scandinavia" and the 2010 European Green Capital of the World, Stockholm stepped up to the plate to being the capital of Charming-Me-Away. From the 6 hr train ride through the calming Swedish forests to the twisting corners of the Old City and the artistically designed metro, Stockholm really did it this time. It is a glacially cool and interesting city. It was rich in all senses: expensive alcohol, a fascinating history, a colorful skyline and many attractive people. And, for the sake of comparing it to Copenhagen, which is cozy and hip, Stockholm is cozy yet cosmopolitan. It looked as perfect as it has ever been since I read Stieg Larsson's Millennium crime trilogy. In the books, a sort of 'grimy' image is popularized as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo intricately becomes the person we all want to be (the right to kick everyone's butt and serve a big hot plate of realness? yes please). I sat there some summers ago reading every single page of the book imagining Stockholm and the grungy spots that define the plot. I saw the book come to life as I experienced Stockholm's willfully alternative and eclectically picturesque city. What's more, Stockholm was not grimy at all. The city is painted in soft pastel oranges and pinks, making its warmth radiate through every single alley. No heavy stone work or elaborate marble facades, the cute arrangement of Stockholm's palette is pleasing to the eye and soul. It's crazy that my Study Abroad map now includes:
Here is the recipe for how I went to Stockholm, Sweden and had a good academic and fun adventure.
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
Directions:
1. Start by mixing a whole lot of Stockholm's Gamla Stan (Old City) into one big pot of wonderful architecture and charming sites.
We arrived on Monday afternoon and got right to business and delved into the depths of Stockholm's Old City. It is located on an island right in the middle of it all. Pretty much, it is the heart of Stockholm. And very much so: the area almost palpitates with history; it's narrow and winding streets are like arteries through the city; there is life everywhere you turn in unseen chambers and in hidden courtyards; the medieval streets lead to peaceful plazas and spaces, yet remain energized with cafes and shops. The buildings here almost fold onto each other. As you walk down the appealing cobblestone streets with an array of houses that zigzag in-and-out/up-and-down the block you feel drawn in and welcomed. Everything is personal and up close, it is intimate and picturesque. In some parts you almost feel trapped but it is that feeling of wonder that makes you wanna walk more and more.
The town dates back to the 13th century and in it you encounter stories of Viking stone slabs, tyrant rulers, market squares, bloodbaths and the commemorated past of merchants and the nobility. In terms of architectural and historic preservation, the site does well to not only keep history alive, but create an environment that nourishes identity and style. This is relevant to all cities today. As modernist principles in urban planning and architecture have come to wide criticism, there has been a movement for cities to turn to a lot more of what Gamla Stan is now: the concept of the walking city and the idea of preservation as a driver for an authentic urban experience. These are densified areas that promote human interaction, social capital, and multi-purpose living. In contrast with the demolish-and-build principles of the 60s that can be seen on some of Stockholm's financial centers, the Old City stands as a case study of how organic and flexible planning that accounts human needs can bring a positive experience of the city.
The town dates back to the 13th century and in it you encounter stories of Viking stone slabs, tyrant rulers, market squares, bloodbaths and the commemorated past of merchants and the nobility. In terms of architectural and historic preservation, the site does well to not only keep history alive, but create an environment that nourishes identity and style. This is relevant to all cities today. As modernist principles in urban planning and architecture have come to wide criticism, there has been a movement for cities to turn to a lot more of what Gamla Stan is now: the concept of the walking city and the idea of preservation as a driver for an authentic urban experience. These are densified areas that promote human interaction, social capital, and multi-purpose living. In contrast with the demolish-and-build principles of the 60s that can be seen on some of Stockholm's financial centers, the Old City stands as a case study of how organic and flexible planning that accounts human needs can bring a positive experience of the city.
2. Score a small cross on the base of your schedule and itinerary, then put them into a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over them and do not remove. Make yourself explore the city.
Of course, go to the royal palace and the national church. Make a stop to the beautiful gardens of mansions and cross into the main shopping area through parliament. But most importantly, make sure you experience the city by just wandering. This Long Study Tour had a lot of time where me and my friends were left in our lonesome selves to take in the city. And it was very rewarding. By the end of the trip we had the know-how on navigating the city and exploring Stockholm's hip neighborhoods. On Wednesday we had managed to go up the big hill after going to the Photography Museum. On our way we found great vinyl stores playing funky beats, a couple of quirky thrift and vintage stores, impressive churches, and a decent Tiki-themed bar. These small treasures made my experience of the city so much greater. You stumble upon public parks, school courtyards, silent passageways and even grimy alley ways. You get a lot out of seeing Swedes in their natural habitat. Trust me.
It was fitting for us to walk around the city too, since Stockholm has long had the reputation of being one of the cleanest and coolest capitals in the world. We had a lecture at the Stockholm Municipality about their goals relating to carbon emissions and environmental policy, which highlighted Stockholm's aggressive target to become fossil-fuel free by 2050. That is quite a goal. The city's Environment Program contains six key priorities that include environmentally efficient transport, goods and buildings free of dangerous substances, sustainable energy use, sustainable use of land and water, waste treatment with minimal environmental impact and a healthy indoor environment. There is definitely a lot to say about every one of those areas and what Stockholm is doing to make life a little greener. But just what is behind this apparent success story? Part of the answer is a long history of political initiatives, stretching back to the welfare policies of the mid-1900s, which were implemented to improve wellbeing and health, but also contributed to urban settlement and resource use patterns that we generally consider “sustainable.” Buses run on biogas, there are very stringent controls of city road traffic and carbon emissions, nature reserves, and a great transportation system. Stockholm is leading the way on sustainable development, including projects like Hammerby and the Royal Seaport Innovation. And despite all this fuzz about smart growth, Stockholm's urban planning motto of "building the city inwards" talks about not only these great environmental focuses, but to the rich and beautiful history and architecture to highlight livability in the city. What I am trying to say is that Stockholm is a city you definitely want to explore.
It was fitting for us to walk around the city too, since Stockholm has long had the reputation of being one of the cleanest and coolest capitals in the world. We had a lecture at the Stockholm Municipality about their goals relating to carbon emissions and environmental policy, which highlighted Stockholm's aggressive target to become fossil-fuel free by 2050. That is quite a goal. The city's Environment Program contains six key priorities that include environmentally efficient transport, goods and buildings free of dangerous substances, sustainable energy use, sustainable use of land and water, waste treatment with minimal environmental impact and a healthy indoor environment. There is definitely a lot to say about every one of those areas and what Stockholm is doing to make life a little greener. But just what is behind this apparent success story? Part of the answer is a long history of political initiatives, stretching back to the welfare policies of the mid-1900s, which were implemented to improve wellbeing and health, but also contributed to urban settlement and resource use patterns that we generally consider “sustainable.” Buses run on biogas, there are very stringent controls of city road traffic and carbon emissions, nature reserves, and a great transportation system. Stockholm is leading the way on sustainable development, including projects like Hammerby and the Royal Seaport Innovation. And despite all this fuzz about smart growth, Stockholm's urban planning motto of "building the city inwards" talks about not only these great environmental focuses, but to the rich and beautiful history and architecture to highlight livability in the city. What I am trying to say is that Stockholm is a city you definitely want to explore.
3. Set a visit to Bee Urban over medium heat and when hot, pour in 2 tbsp of honey. Though honey bees out in the wild are now somewhat rare, city beekeeping seems alive and well in Sweden. And if projects like Bee Urban are any indication, it’s about to get even sweeter. The importance of bees as key stone species is definitely enough for taking care them. In fact, about a third of the food we eat wouldn't be there if it weren't for bees. This is an example of the rightful place of sustainability in the built environment. Their idea is to spread the knowledge about how important bees are to us. Through them companies can adopt a beehive, which will be placed on the company’s premises but that Bee Urban takes care of. Flowers in the area will be pollinated by the bees and in the end of the season, the company gets the delicious by-product of it all: honey. It's such a win-win I wish I had thought about it first. Seeing the hives was lovely and learning how innovation and bottom-up will power can change drive sustainability to the forefront was refreshing. | 4. Slice up Rosendals Trädgård and set aside. Cook the experience in the pan for 30 to 60 mins. Rosendal's Garden is an open garden with the main purpose of presenting biodynamic (organic) garden cultivation to the public. We took a bus to the royal grounds and walked for what felt a little hike to reach the garden. It was nice to leave the city and feel in the with a vast nature reserve. The biodynamic principles include a constant focus on quality. Besides the environmental considerations in organic gardening, all produce used in the food processing is selected with utmost care too. The garden crops are served, and leftovers go back to the compost heap, providing first-rate soil for next year’s growth. You can actually feel the continuity of a connected whole. Crops are rotates and seeds are saved. And in an era of industrialized farming focused on yield yield and more yield, the idea of quality and biodynamic gardening feels so right. The proof was in the food. We ate perhaps the most delicious tomato soup I have actually even tasted. I'm not big tomato kind of person (like why is tomato juice a thing?!) but I totally have to admit it. The garden ground, beside the crops, had cute little green houses to go sit and enjoy the day. I specially liked the green house where they sold flowers. It felt so right and so perfect. It's everything I want to own one days. Flowers, good food, a green house for sunshine, and a nice clear blue sky. |
5. Towards the end of the time, cook the public transportation in gently boiling well-salted water until nearly al dente
You'd be a fool if you come to Stockholm without a subway pass. You would be missing some of the most beautiful stations in the world. That's right, Stockholm's train station are world-renowned for being what some call the "largest art gallery in the world." This gigantic art gallery spans for about 90 stations of unique public art featuring more than 150 artists in permanent and on-going exhibits! It is so magical to get off one stop and take in the impressive red stone and then get off onto another stop to astonishingly look up at the painted patterns in the caves. In other parts there are art installations, paintings and even sculptures just chilling there as every one makes their commute. It sorta makes public transportation an asset and an experience. No wonder the Swedes have one of the highest public transportation satisfaction rate in the world, even though most of the times the metro was crowded! The city has invested on the public and the public has responded. What better way to promote healthy cities than with art. A multidisciplinary and creative look into sustainability? yes please, supersized and with a side of fries!
6. Serve hot with a sprinkle of spontaneity and fun
One day after a lecture on the Carbon Disclosure Project in Stockholm University, a group of us decided to spend our brake not walking around the campus but heading straight into the forest, of course! Although a short little visit to nature, we had a fun time in the forest, frolicking about and making it all fit in. Sometimes, the best way to enjoy the city is to do things spontaneously and embrace everything that can come out of that!
Meal is done! enjoy it with a side of potatoes and put some brown sauce on top and you are good to go for a sweet taste of Sweden.
Meal is done! enjoy it with a side of potatoes and put some brown sauce on top and you are good to go for a sweet taste of Sweden.