Bicycling home last night at 9.15 after drinks with friends on the water, I felt overwhelmingly happy to be out. It was still light, of course, and people were everywhere, sitting out at cafes and bars, talking, listening to music, walking. Just enjoying. There was a buzz of energy, of life.
Stockholm is at its best this time of year. Just before midsommar – the start of summer and arguably Sweden’s favorite holiday – on June 25th, there’s a delicious vibe of anticipation. Everyone is excited for midsommar and the corresponding four to six weeks of holiday that most people take directly after it in July. Days are long and this year at least, the weather is warm and sunny. It makes for a wonderful cocktail.
If Stockholm could sustain this buzz – to be this alive, this light, this warm – with any kind of regularity, it would be THE place to live. But as it is, this combo is often elusive. Warm and sunny days often pass us by. Maybe that makes the buzz all the more intoxicating when it does happen.
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Reading this post made me remember the TV series Northern Exposure. There was an episode called “Midnight Sun” where Joel (the doctor who was transplanted to this quirky Alaskan town) experiences an intense surge of energy from the extended daylight. He becomes “light loony” or quit “buzzed” on the “cocktail” you are describing.
Oh Kezia, it is very much like that here!
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