SPC: momentary perfection in an urban paradise

On a gray afternoon on the longest day of the year two girls found their urban paradise.

Micaela snapped the best photo of the day, week, month or year. Momentary perfection. Everything is so temporary. Carpe diem, but I need to seize the milliseconds as well. This was a good one.

We were in Hammarby Sjöstad. It was so cool. Kind of hard to explain. Half finished houses, some junk, lots of concrete. I think concrete is my right element, and the "big" city is my environment (though I'm very happy to live close to water and trees). Must go back soon, before it changes and the construction will be all done. I think I hurt my knees and feet playing around, but it was so worth it.

I discovered some new aspects of Stockholm last week. It's one of the nice things about having a visitor I think. Merci...

SPC: 4.30

My last environment self-portrait was in the evening. The nordic light is equally beautiful in the morning. And I like the feeling of (very early) day, even though the city is almost deserted because it's in fact still night, sort of (if you look at the clock). This is my shadow on Årstabron (Bridge of Årsta, just next to where I live) 4.30 this morning.

I was right behind...

Woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep. There were birds singing outside my window, and my body was singing inside.

Not sure where I'm going in life at the moment. A quick walk in the fresh and slightly chilly morning was just what I needed. Trying to find a direction (luckily, there are only two directions to choose from on a bridge - one if you're at the beginning of it).

The morning was very still and calm - and the water and the reflection of the surroundings. Clear blue light, it's breath-taking and very temporary - maybe that's why I find it so amazing, year after year. Tomorrow is the longest and lightest day of the year, then it will be darker once again. But let's not think about that now...
These might be my favourite part of the view from Årstabron.

It's intriguing. I live in the inner parts of Stockholm (though it is a quiet corner of the city). And I saw nobody, at least not at first. You should know what you're missing! Then there was a man in a small boat. No idea what he was doing (let's not think about that now...) but he chose the right morning to take a boat tour.

Then there was an air balloon, but that doesn't really count as people since I couldn't see them and they couldn't see me.

They chose the right morning as well. I guess it's just fair to share this with a few (just do not disturb). You should come and see one day (or rather one night). I know of nothing greater.

After this I could fall asleep for a few more hours. Safe, calm and peaceful. At least at the moment. Temporarily.

köttmarknad i trädgården

I joined the postcard swap over at hula seventy. I miss sending and receiving mail art and I feel like it was ages since I created something that I can show here. This swap will pretty much ruin me (14 x US postage - ouch...), but I'm sure it'll be worth it. The theme is summer, and the last terribly hot days gave me inspiration.

I made my first card this afternoon. I used today's news paper (I never read the sports, nor the economy pages anyway) and an old theatre poster that I removed from my wall yesterday. I like the thought of recycling old things that once told a different story.

I call it Köttmarknad i trädgåren, and I don't really feel like explaining that to you right now. Maybe you could ask Carina? :)

Oh, wait, I just mentioned Trädgården (Swedish for the garden) in my last post. Well, then I just need to add that this is a very popular club among the younger habitants of Stockholm. And with summer comes romance, frivolity and promiscuity. And Trädgården is the place to go to find that someone with whom to act out that Midsummer Night's Dream of yours...

I never said I take part in it, or that I don't. And that has nothing to do with me being vaguely blond and Swedish, so don't get any ideas :)

By the way, is there an English expression like Swedish köttmarknad? (cattle market - it's kind of disgusting really)

SPC: Stockholm je t'aime

June self-portrait challenge is environment. This is me tonight, on Västerbron (the highest bridge in central Stockholm, with the most beautiful view).

Summer in Stockholm is amazing at its best. Like today and tonight. I believe you have to spend a winter (dark, cold, long and lonely) here as well to truly appreciate it. The sun, the light and the atmosphere (so many people waking up and coming out on the streets - after winter you can't believe that we're so many people living here).

One way to experience the beautiful Stockholm nights is to go out partying (preferably outisde, like in Trädgården). Then you will see the sky slowly turning blue, and later dark. And then once again the sky will turn bluer and bluer, and daybreak is over you (accordning to SMHI the sun rose today at 03.41 and went down at 21.51 - but I assure you the sunset and sunrise is slower and softer than you think). Best of all is to walk home over Västerbron in dawn, birds and trees coming alive, but not yet the rest of the city.

But tonight's environment self-portrait is just a twlight photo. I was supposed to go out yet another time. Then suddenly I felt it would be better for me to just walk and think. So that's what I did (sorry friends) and I ended up on Västerbron for the first time this summer. I've already experienced Stockholm summer night life several times, and I'm looking forward to a long and lovely summer in Stockholm :)

Please, Trädgården, stop using this stamp. Betald is Swedish for paid (for), and I feel cheap waking up with it on my wrist.

Paris je t'aime

Had a great time in Paris, as always. Some of the things I saw:

Some of the things I did:
walked and walked and walked
talked French and realised that I'm loosing it (plus I can't handle euros anymore)
had some interesting and some scary discussions
ate delicious pastries, bread, macarons and crêpes
went on several street art safaris (Montmartre, close to Centre Pompidou and around Canal St Martin) and contributed a little myself
saw this great exhibition at Musée Galliera
went to the amazing Promenade plantée (which is a park up in the air, over the streets - a very special and delightful experience, you should visit it, it's close to the Bastille)
bought the cutest sandals ever and a pretty dress (and some coconut scent)
found a lovely second-hand store which I must explore closer next time (it was close to Centre Pompidou)
drank my last café crème with Anneli in Paris (in the same place as we had our first)
had a fun night in the downpour (but it started in a bar, not sure which part of it was the best)