by Nathan Phipp
Sodertorn University, Sweden
Quite a lot has happened since my last update!
I will start out with music-related happenings. This past October, I saw Active Child at Moogfest in Asheville, where they put on an excellent live show, and since their last album was one of my favorites of 2011, I was very excited to discover that they would be playing in Stockholm. I had never been to the venue where they played, Debaser Slussen, but it was a medium-sized club that became completely packed by the time Active Child went on. The show was excellent as expected, and I enjoyed seeing them in an environment that was much more intimate than the Civic Center in Asheville. Plus, they played three new songs and entrance was free as long as you arrived at least an hour before show time. Finally, Sweden does something favorable for the wallet. But, of course, that couldn’t last.
It is apparently very expensive to own and operate a club in Stockholm, so certain enterprising individuals will sometimes organize ‘unofficial’ events at locations a bit off the beaten path to get around such high costs. I went to one of these events called Basfest, which showcased dark, bass-heavy dubstep and d&b. The music–while it wasn’t what I usually listen to–was perfect for the occasion, and the sound system was the best I’ve ever heard for music with a lot of low-end. It was good fun and surprisingly well organized, but, unfortunately, my night did not end as well as it began. When I was ready to leave, I went to retrieve my winter coat from the large rack near the entrance, but it was nowhere to be found. Perhaps I should have known better than to leave my coat unattended, but I never thought that the damn thing would be stolen. I really liked that coat, too, and anticipated being able to use it for a long time. Fortunately, I didn’t have any valuables in it, but I did have a scarf and the ear warmers that Madison’s mom got me for Christmas in the pockets. I’ve never had anything significant stolen from me before, but even after a few weeks have passed, the feeling fluctuates between aggravated and disheartened when I think about it. Ah well, at least I have a spring jacket, plenty of layers, and the weather is getting much warmer– until recently, at least.
Moving on, I must discuss my recent travels! I have now visited three countries in Europe, the second and third being Finland and Germany, respectively. My Germany trip, however, will receive its own blog post just above this one. So, Finland! I spent about seven hours in the capital, Helsinki, after a seventeen hour overnight trip across the Baltic Sea. Round-trip, a bed for two nights on the Silja cruise ship cost me only $15. However, once you’re on the ship, you are held captive for long enough to work up quite an appetite. But I better thank my lucky stars, because the folks at Silja were kind enough to offer its patrons a buffet dinner for the gracious price of $50. I guess they have to make money somehow. I did my best to save money, abstaining from the exorbitant buffet, and brought most of the food I would need with me. The cruise, itself, was a bit dull, but I read about half of Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls and am really enjoying it. For some reason, I have a hard time starting books, so I often find myself forgetting how much I love to read. My time in Helsinki was quite limited and felt a bit insincere. I was frustrated with myself for not having done enough research beforehand. I suppose I had an excuse– I had a presentation the day that I left– but I still felt like an irresponsible traveler. Nonetheless, I managed to see a number of the major sights including Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, a nice local market, and the Finnish National Museum. Perhaps my favorite part of the trip was spending an hour watching the sunset from the upper deck and then from the warm comfort of a window below deck. It was the longest, most luxurious sunset I have ever seen. I suppose it was from being pretty far up north and out at sea, having nothing blocking the horizon. Helsinki was nice, but I can see why Stockholm is considered the capital of Scandinavia.
Stay tuned for my Germany update.
Sodertorn University, Sweden
Quite a lot has happened since my last update!
I will start out with music-related happenings. This past October, I saw Active Child at Moogfest in Asheville, where they put on an excellent live show, and since their last album was one of my favorites of 2011, I was very excited to discover that they would be playing in Stockholm. I had never been to the venue where they played, Debaser Slussen, but it was a medium-sized club that became completely packed by the time Active Child went on. The show was excellent as expected, and I enjoyed seeing them in an environment that was much more intimate than the Civic Center in Asheville. Plus, they played three new songs and entrance was free as long as you arrived at least an hour before show time. Finally, Sweden does something favorable for the wallet. But, of course, that couldn’t last.
It is apparently very expensive to own and operate a club in Stockholm, so certain enterprising individuals will sometimes organize ‘unofficial’ events at locations a bit off the beaten path to get around such high costs. I went to one of these events called Basfest, which showcased dark, bass-heavy dubstep and d&b. The music–while it wasn’t what I usually listen to–was perfect for the occasion, and the sound system was the best I’ve ever heard for music with a lot of low-end. It was good fun and surprisingly well organized, but, unfortunately, my night did not end as well as it began. When I was ready to leave, I went to retrieve my winter coat from the large rack near the entrance, but it was nowhere to be found. Perhaps I should have known better than to leave my coat unattended, but I never thought that the damn thing would be stolen. I really liked that coat, too, and anticipated being able to use it for a long time. Fortunately, I didn’t have any valuables in it, but I did have a scarf and the ear warmers that Madison’s mom got me for Christmas in the pockets. I’ve never had anything significant stolen from me before, but even after a few weeks have passed, the feeling fluctuates between aggravated and disheartened when I think about it. Ah well, at least I have a spring jacket, plenty of layers, and the weather is getting much warmer– until recently, at least.
Moving on, I must discuss my recent travels! I have now visited three countries in Europe, the second and third being Finland and Germany, respectively. My Germany trip, however, will receive its own blog post just above this one. So, Finland! I spent about seven hours in the capital, Helsinki, after a seventeen hour overnight trip across the Baltic Sea. Round-trip, a bed for two nights on the Silja cruise ship cost me only $15. However, once you’re on the ship, you are held captive for long enough to work up quite an appetite. But I better thank my lucky stars, because the folks at Silja were kind enough to offer its patrons a buffet dinner for the gracious price of $50. I guess they have to make money somehow. I did my best to save money, abstaining from the exorbitant buffet, and brought most of the food I would need with me. The cruise, itself, was a bit dull, but I read about half of Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls and am really enjoying it. For some reason, I have a hard time starting books, so I often find myself forgetting how much I love to read. My time in Helsinki was quite limited and felt a bit insincere. I was frustrated with myself for not having done enough research beforehand. I suppose I had an excuse– I had a presentation the day that I left– but I still felt like an irresponsible traveler. Nonetheless, I managed to see a number of the major sights including Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, a nice local market, and the Finnish National Museum. Perhaps my favorite part of the trip was spending an hour watching the sunset from the upper deck and then from the warm comfort of a window below deck. It was the longest, most luxurious sunset I have ever seen. I suppose it was from being pretty far up north and out at sea, having nothing blocking the horizon. Helsinki was nice, but I can see why Stockholm is considered the capital of Scandinavia.
Stay tuned for my Germany update.
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| Active Child |
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| Silja Serenade |
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| Leaving Stockholm |
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| View from Senate Square |
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| Helsinki - World Design Capital 2012 |
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| Sunset at sea |
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| From around the corner |