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2005年09月05日
Denmark and Sweden
On Monday, August 8th, I boarded a plane for Copenhagen. I was on my way to visit Sweden and the first part of my trip in the South was best reached by train from Denmark.
I spent a great couple of weeks in Hoganas near Helsinborg with Nicklas and his family graciously hosting me. I got to experience the laid-back lifestyle in the South. The coast is dotted with beautiful fishing villages each with a little picturesque marina. We would either visit friends in other small towns or receive visits and go to the beach, go for a picnic, or sunbathe on the rocks.
The nightlife was an interesting mix too with a preparty in a little village boat hut or in a swank modern flat in cosmopolitan Helsinborg before going to a club in a converted barn with a live band or to a more traditional establishment playing everything from Swedish pop to hip hop to rock music.
A big highlight from my stay in the South was jumping off a 16 meter cliff in Hovs Hallar. Nicknamed the "Cliff of Manhood" I nearly resigned to mouse-hood before summing up the courage to jump just as we were going to leave. I climbed up and after some hesitation requested a countdown from my friends half-way below. "THREE... TWO..."
"No no! From five!" I interrupted.
"FIVE... FOUR... THREE... TWO... ONE!!"
I jumped into oblivion. Earlier, I timed my friends as they jumped and got a full three seconds of air time before plunging into the water below. The memory of the initial jump and coming up for air are very lucid. The free-fall part is a blur. A very exhilarating blur.
The Stockholm part of my journey was also thrilling, but in a very different way. I made a side trip to Copenhagen after my first week in Sweden where I found out from another friend that Stockholm fashion week would be on a week later. As I mentioned before, I phoned my agency at home who found me an agency in Stockholm. When I phoned the agency and they already had a show lined up for me, I extended my two week planned stay by an extra week to fit in the show.
Stockholm is a beautiful, quite international city. All the museums are free in an effort to promote cultural learning. The many harbour fronts, historic districts, palaces and parks make the city very accommodating to an exploring visitor.
Fredrik hosted me for the first few days in Stockholm. He showed me around and took me to a home game featuring his favourite soccer team. When I was on my own, besides doing the show and going to the ancillary parties with new-found friends, I simply explored the city. Definitely worth returning.
Maersk checking the engine before going. Very reassuring.
Welcome to a formerly wonderful place.
Central Copenhagen
Copenhagen by night
The driver obviously failed to notice the sign indicating pedestrians and bicycles only before plowing into some guy's home
Nicklas. King of style.
Water fountain. Concept and Styling: Leia, Photography: Nicklas
Mumu prepares to dive off the "small" cliff as a warm up for the big one
Djugarden football hooligans Will and Freddy on their way to a match
The catwalk at Stockholm Modecenter during an earlier show
Backstage and ...
Makeup for our show
A wooden boat club in Stockholm
The author, loose on the streets of Stokholm
Living it up with friends Sebastian, Hana, and Sara
Posted by William at 2005年09月05日 15:27
Comments
Ey William! You're wearing the red Decathlon shoes! Nice:-) I'm glad you're having a great time in Europe. Sara in that last pic looks just like that Calgarian girl we hung out with sometimes in Milan...I can't remember her name! I think it starts with an S. Maybe you remember? Aaah, Hana and Sara...that was an interesting time we had over at Giulio's. I miss Milano!
Posted by: Lydia at 2005年09月06日 21:11