Home, Stockholm

Quite often, one of the major contributing factors when choosing a holiday destination is to go someplace different. An escape to a place which offers us a brief hiatus from our daily routines. That's exactly what i was looking for when i found myself with some time off from my job in Iraq. I needed something so fundamentally polar opposite. But i also needed a country where i didn't need a visa (hardly any embassies in Northern Iraq) and a destination with direct, economical flights to Iraq (there's only a handful). Luckily one place fit all these criteria. So i dusted off my backpack and headed to Sweden.

Arriving in Stockholm was a bit of a culture shock to me. People took numbers when standing in line, lots of smiles with “please” and “thank-you”, not to mention a lackadaisical approach to security. So once i synced with the flow of life, i let my hand-dandy tourist map lead me to the city's sights.

Stockholm began on a little island, still the location of the city's old

town. It's also the same place the majority of tourist congregate. In a “go-with-the-flow” frame of mind, i ended up on Gamla Stan. The ankle-cracking cobble-stone street meander through a myriad of pastel edifices. This is a time to disregard any maps or planned destinations and just wander the narrow alleyways. It won't be long before you emerge into a square guaranteed to be teeming with life as locals and tourist alike sipping coffee or imbibing a local pint. Buskers line the streets and square putting the whole experience to it's own soundtrack. And while some might be turned off by the overtly touristic feel of the main thoroughfare, Vasterlanggaten, it's not hard to steal away from the crowds to your own side street. It is perhaps true that Gamla Stan is not the most spectacular old town in the world, Gamla Stan is a pretty cool place.

Being a historical city, Stockholm's museums proudly display the capital's heritage. The good news is there certainly are a lot of museums, one better than the last. The bad news is, most are no longer free. Charging anywhere from 30 to 100 SEK it can be an expensive endeavour to try to soak in a bit of culture. The good news is a tourist card is available for sale, not only giving free entry to the majority of museums, but also free access to public transport. There are still a couple free activities to partake in, like the tour of the Parliament (in English at 1, 2 and 3 pm) or the hallowed halls of a church or two.

But outside the magnetism of the tourism hub, Stockholm is a city of

lifestyle. Bike paths fill with commuters looking for a green alternative. Joggers abound around the seaside paths. Outdoor cafes take advantage of the short summer season. Impromptu picnic, BBQs and drinking sessions pop up at random look outs and scenic spots. Clean, green and health conscience, Stockholmites realize there's more to life then quickly getting to and from the 9-to-5. Instead, life is to be enjoyed. The place is so laid back, everyone greets each other with a simple, "Hey". Stockholm is fundamental Scandinavian.Perhaps i've been away from Europe too long, living in war zones or countries that end with “Stan”, but Stockholm was exactly what i needed exactly when i needed it. The combination of history, climate and lifestyle instantaneously refreshed me. After only a few short days, i was recharged and ready to head back to Iraq. I guess that's the whole purpose of going on a holiday.