July 24: Sometimes Older is Better

Wow! Today’s ride took me to Gamla Stan, the Old Town of Stockholm and the area where the city was founded in 1252. What a visual treat. This medieval center is one of the largest and best preserved in Europe and is full of cobbled streets, old alleyways, and archaic architecture.

Packing up my gear after a restful and restorative two nights in Bromma, I headed east towards the Island of Riddarholmen and was fortunate enough to score a parking spot right near its historic church. The house of worship, formerly a medieval monastery, is also the resting place for most of the Swedish Monarchs. I sat down inside, admired the artwork and stained glass, and said a few prayers.

Leaving the church, I walked across the bridge to the Island of Stadsholmen, where most of Old Town is located. I felt immediately welcomed by the colorful stone buildings, cobblestone paths, and little shops and eateries. I leisurely made my way to the Royal Palace, passing the beautiful, tall pink tower of St. Nicholas Church and enjoying watching tourists milling about.

At the Royal Palace I was able to witness the changing of the guards, the soldiers responsible for the protection of the royal family and who are also part of Sweden’s military preparedness. Having seen a similar event in London, it was fun to see the guards stand in formation and march with their rifles and bayonets accompanied by a drummer. I found it interesting that the guards who were posted around the perimeter of the castle were allowed to speak to tourists, as several of them gave me directions to the ceremony.

Wanting to linger in this colorful and welcoming place, I stopped at a lively café set at a busy intersection and enjoyed a cup of tea outside while watching people passing by. After relaxing and enjoying the view some more I headed to Ristorante Rodolfino for a delicious lunch of home-made lasagna. The pasta was cooked perfectly, accompanied by hearty servings of meat and cheese, and covered with a refreshing cream.

After my meal I returned to my motorcycle, happy to find my gear still safely stowed under my bike cover. From there I headed towards the ferry terminal to catch my ferry to Estonia, working my way up and over some uneven cobblestones and ledges and successfully dodging a few tourists running into the street. What a great day!