De-countrified in Gothenburg


Or not, as it turned out.  On a recent work trip, Sweden felt like... Sweden, rather than a foreign country.  There was the pleasure of recognition, but not the shock of the new, even though it's about 20 years since I was last there.  Before that, we visited quite frequently (my husband speaks Swedish), but this was a first winter visit.  Although I was pretty much inside during daylight hours, I tried to take some photos which would remind me of the Swedish-ness of Gothenburg.  So in the shots above and below, city centre skylines that are European rather than Scottish.
 

And trams, of course.  I had lots of practice in tram-dodging in preparation for that glorious day when trams will run in Edinburgh (getting closer now).
 

Illuminated ships at the harbour.  
 


At last - a bit of de-countryfication: a 'no roller skates' sign at the entrance to Gothenburg University's Business School.
 

It was very agreeable being abroad but not being de-countrified.  And it made me long to visit more of Scandinavia in winter.  I've been to Norway several times in winter, but never Sweden until now.  Finland I've only visited once, in September, when the season was slipping into autumn.

For other recent de-countryfication, see the label on the right.

Comments

  1. This was my favourite city in Sweden when I visited many years ago now. Although I was there in June for the looong days. Nice to see the city in winter.

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    1. The long days are pretty wonderful. It's always good to see a different face of a city.

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  2. Love your evening shots, especially the one by the canal. It would have been a perfect link for Weekend Reflections. You are made of strong stuff than I am what with being willing to venture out in the cold night air. I'd be hanging out by the fireplace.

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    1. It maybe looks colder than it was - pretty much the same temperature as it was in Scotland. However my husband was there last January in snow and bitter temperatures.

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  3. Many thanks for the photos. My one visit to Sweden was 50 years ago in high summer. These make the city look "cold." But I'm guessing winter indoors there is toasty and pleasant.

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    1. It is very toasty, Ron! The thing that struck me was that all the shops and restaurants have revolving doors, which keep the heat in much better than the normal sort of door.

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  4. Beautiful photos. Yet another place I would love to visit.

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    1. Add it to your list, Michelle! It was lovely in the pre-Christmas period with beautiful decorations and homeware in the shops.

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  5. Love your first photo! Nice reflections of the sky. Glad you had a good trip.

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    1. We had cloudy skies for the first couple of days of our trip, and it was light late and dark early, so it was wonderful to have these clear skies to show the city to best advantage.

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