Two nights in Karlstad
Trip Start
Jul 11, 2004
1
13
Trip End
Ongoing
Karlstad, Swedish Lakeland, Sweden
Saturday, August 30, 2008
I'm wondering where all the tourists and happy holiday makers have gone, obviously it's back to work time in Sweden and Norway as the camping grounds and hostel have been really empty.
The public transport options here are awesome, you can take a bus anywhere, the trains work, and the city provide a free cycle hire service. There are bicycles everywhere, hundreds of them. NZ really needs to take a lesson from this.
Yesterday I went to another museum and learnt about some Varmland history, and called my family from a payphone outside the tourist office, then bought a watch which is doing a good job telling me I have an hour before my train back to Norway.
Also last night there was another Lene Marlin concert here in Karlstad (yes the reason I'm here but dont judge me. bah i dont care anyway, it was totally worth it).
It was put on at short notice but was really amazing, she had a band behind her of at least 10 people including a string quartet, a drummer, and a percussionist. Then after the show I followed the Italian fanatics again and got to meet her for a second time. boring now!
The highlight of the night was actually talking to the Swedish guy who sat next to me at the concert, we had a good chat about the history and whatnot of the Karlstad/Kristinehamn area and similarities between Norway-Sweden relations and NZ-Aus relations. I was jealous that he lived in Sweden.
Back to Norway now. In truth I'm not exactly thrilled about this, but I think getting out of the cities will be a good idea so this is my intention!
cheers,
-mike
