With no wind in my sails to Leave Stockholm I boarded the
X2000 speed train to Gothenburg, which would drag me there regardless. It did.
And with an additional tram journey I arrived at my 70 year old host’s flat.
Skeptical at first I was showed my room and jeeringly asked if I could dress a
bed. I was then greeted with a brute strength coffee meant to fuel the crypt
keepers and simple cheese sandwiches. This was when I really met FLEXIMA. A
Swedish Granny, who was well traveled, had a hodgepodge of careers, had
survived a recent bus crash on her virgin voyage to Italy and was now playing
host to international students and vagabonds as myself to keep things
interesting and expand her mind. Flexima shared with me, I shared with her and
at one point corrected her English homework.
Initial interview finished I took my 70 years of imparted
wisdom and headed out into the Gothenburg sunset. (Romantic, I know)
Walking around Gothenburg is a rich experience where each new area melts into
the next without dead space. Your senses are at full alert while jumping from
handsome brick buildings, the scent of cinnamon buns woo you, busking musicians
in your ear canals, and sun rippling off the waters of the port. The city is
pretty easy to conquer on foot, in fact the best way to experience this city is
just walk and discover.
There is one main drag of the city- Avenyn lined with
restaurants and nightclubs that will lead you down into the center. Here you
can find a huge amount of shopping and dining that appeals to the main stream.
The area is stratified by canals and quaint cobble-stoned bridges and speckled
with historic buildings, churches, and statues so even if you don’t have money
to burn this area is lovely.
On the embankments of the center is the port. The port area is a bit more
tranquil than the center but on a sun-soaked evening everything here is painted
gold and the seafood restaurants are bulging like a net full of fish. Here you
can find the opera house, real sailboats, and departure points for day trips to
islands off the coast of Sweden and even to Denmark.
Akin to Stockholm, once you
get out of the center there are all sorts of trendy/ alternative neighborhoods
that allow for something completely unique. Head east or west of the center for
charming surprises- trendy fusion food, grungy yet artistic cafes near the
university, and live music is set in and around hand made shopping treasures. I
even stumbled upon a giant Swedish folk concert in the park.
Food in Gothenburg is
diverse, but being my last stop I had to go traditional: divine Swedish
meatballs! I would suggest the homey restaurant: Smaka (Swedish for taste) it
has a pub atmosphere inside but on the side walk across from charming brick
buildings with good wine it has a touch of class. They serve up the meatballs
with whipped potatoes, gooseberries, and cucumbers in a sweet-vinegar glaze.
Unbeatable.
