Survivor Ellesmere

I had a bit of a bonus day in Oslo yesterday, allowing me to visit the dissapointing Sami Exhibit at the University's Museum. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised, as anything billed as an "Ethnographic" Museum is sure to be trouble, but the guidebook I have said it was a well done exhibit. It turned out to be a display on all of the Arctic peoples, but instead of learning much about any of them, all they had was a few pictures and a traditional outfit from each nation. Although the raincoats made of salmon skin were cool and resourceful, it didn't really give me any information on the people, and it left me wanting to know more. Also, they kept using the word Eskimo. There was only a security guard there, who didn't know anything about the exhibit, but knew he didn't want me to break the glass and steal things, so I couldn't even complain to anyone. Sigh. I did learn that over half of the Inuit live in Greenland, with just over a quarter living in Canada and the rest in Alaska. I had always thought Canada had the greatest population. Clearly, I have made an ass out of you and me. (And Yumi for that matter.)

My train to Stockholm was uneventful. Long, but the scenery was pretty. I arrived here in Sweden and found my hostel quickly. It's on a boat. Which I was afraid would be cold, but it's actually a bit too warm. And my 4-bedded room is full! My first full room since my last night in Copenhagen. (I had a night to myself in my 6-bedded room in Oslo. That was nice.)

This morning I had my routine wandering around the city getting my bearings time, and quickly discovered that Stockholm is quite pretty. Definitely the prettiest city so far. It's made up of several islands, so there are lots of pretty bridges and water ways all over the place. And people fishing in them! I don't know if I would trust the fish, but apparently they do. I also made it to the museum of modern art, which was surprisingly free. I love the free museum.

After the museum I resumed my wanderings and eventually ended up in the Bloor Street-esque district of the city. Which had more H&Ms than you could shake a stick at. (Question: how many H&Ms can YOU shake a stick at? Could you shake more sticks at other retailers? What if you had two sticks? I invite you to comment on this ridiculous expression.) I of course visited my second favourite retailer of fine swedish goods, and even though I'm sure all of these products are available at home, I felt all avant guard shopping there. I haven't been shopping in forever. It was very difficult to not try on everything in the store. In the end I realised that anything I bought I'd have to fit in my suitcase, so I limited myself to one very cute yellow dress. Which didn't fit. I consoled myslef by buying sunglasses. Now I feel all Euro-cool.

Because my train was so late getting in yesterday, I only have one more day in Stockholm, which is sad, because this is my second favourite city of the trip. Stupid trains, not leaving Oslo earlier.