Stockholm - Day two

The hotel's breakfast is a smorgasbord of breads, meats, cheeses and eggs with jams and other spreads. Coffee, teas and fruit juices as well. By the time breakfast rolls around I am hungry and take full advantage. Which has proven to be a good strategy. I find I can get to mid afternoon until I am hungry again.

Today I decided I would visit two museums. The Swedish History Museum and the National Museum. 

Google Maps showed the Swedish History Museum as a 9 minute walk from my hotel and I decided to visit that one first. The museum has an exhibit that shows 1000 years of Swedish History starting from the year 1100 right up to the present day. Each century is depicted in separate exhibits with a timeline map on the floor. Sweden didn't actually become a recognized country until June 6th, 1523. But all of the history leading up to that date and after is represented. In addition there is a separate Viking exhibit. I spent close to two hours browsing the exhibits. 

Google Maps showed the National Museum as a 16 minute walk from the hotel in the opposite direction from the Swedish History Museum. I took a brief break at the hotel on my way back where I refreshed my memory on the directions to the National Museum and set out about 1:30pm. When I got half way to the National Museum I lost track of where I was. For whatever reason my iPhone would not display the Google Maps directions and I needed to ask for directions. Turns out I was about 5 minutes off track in the wrong direction and needed to backtrack a bit before finding the National Museum. 

Everyone I have asked is ready and willing to help. And I have yet to be in contact with anyone who didn't speak perfect English. It seems like they are almost delighted to exercise their English language skills. I am humbled by the fact that I am not multi-lingual. But for me it would be a hobby rather than a useful skill to learn a second language. 

The walk to the National Museum was another gorgeous day in the beautiful city of Stockholm.

The National Museum proved to be almost overwhelming. Room after room of paintings, bronze and marble sculptures, silver table decorations and ornate furniture. It has been many years since I have visited an art museum and my mind was simply flooded with observing incredible beauty and creativity. I either need to travel more or visit San Francisco's museums more often.

After two hours at the National Museum I felt the pangs of hunger. I made the 16 minute walk back to my hotel. On the way I decided that I would take in the 3rd best burger in Sweden, a two minute walk from my hotel. Yes, I can attest that the burger was very good. A 3 napkin affair. Probably one of the top 3 burgers I have ever eaten which includes Michael Minna's at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The place is called bap - Burgers and Pastrami in case you ever visit Stockholm. And reasonably priced! A double burger, fries and a coffee for $24.

Back at the hotel at around 5pm and I am again going to spend the rest of the day in my room reading my novel and resting my still jet lagged bones.