Meanwhile, in Stockholm…

Yesterday, Charlotte and I went to the Greek tavern Kamarina in Södermalm, where I met my cousin Björn for the very first time. It turns out that my aunt Lillian (now 86 years old) wasn’t as childless as we in the Andersson family had believed. On December 23, 1957, she gave birth to a baby boy in the maternity ward of what was then called the “cottage hospital” in Kungsbacka, south of Göteborg.

Apparently, you’re never too old for a family surprise.

We had a cozy and interesting evening where both Charlotte and I got to know my new cousin Björn, his wife Lisa, and their grown-up kids Malin and Hampus. After dinner, we walked together down to the small ferry that took us across to Hammarby Sjöstad, and then we strolled through the spring-beautiful Stockholm evening to our hotel in Sickla.

Speaking of the hotel…

We’re spending a few nights at the dog-friendly Home Hotel Tapetfabriken, in a gigantic corner room on the fourth floor.
Of all the Strawberry hotels I’ve stayed at (around 30), this is definitely one of the most spacious and charming in a post-industrial kind of way. What I assume was once the factory floor where rolls of tapestry were printed is now a huge lounge with an abundance of spaces to sit and work, have coffee, or eat. Breakfast, snacks, and dinner are included in the room price, and there’s also a gym and sauna. The whole shebang. Love it!

In addition to the Walpurgis Night bonfire on Sickla Meadow tonight, we’ll also make time for the cherry blossoms in Kungsträdgården, a visit to Fotografiska, a gallery stroll along Hornsgatspuckeln/Mariapuckeln, and some additions to my already fairly extensive photo archive of the Royal Capital.

Happy Walpurgis Night!