Departing Helsinki, Arriving in Stockholm

Stockholm today again on the ferry (not quite as bad a morning thing time around). Met a few Finnish students last night made some poor choices not to sleep the last few days, although Niels and Flemming don't seem to require sleep EVER and its hard to attend a Big Ten University and be outdone on the party circuit by 60 year old Danish men.

Before leaving Helsinki we visited the Chapel of St Laurence, which might be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Kai Korhonen who designed the interiors (with Avanto Architects) was kind enough to show us around the place. Absolutely spectacular. I can't even describe it. Even the bathrooms were just stunningly beautiful.

Last night's boat was fully outfitted with a karaoke bar at which we had the pleasure of hearing some spice girls as well as the potential for our only british classmate to sing "Surfin' USA" which he respectfully declined by disappearing for 45 minutes.

This morning (those of us that didn't just nap in the grass our of sheer hangover incapacitation) visited Skogskyrkogården designed by Asplund. The cemetery and accompanying chapels are beautiful and the likeness to Asplund's stockholm library is pretty striking once you know what to look for in the two contrasting sites.

Asplund loves portals of any type. The cemetery unfolds into rolling hills and minimal architecture after a makeshift entrance way of thick trees and shrubbery. The effect is pretty great because as soon as you pass through you're confronted with huge open spaces and a lot of nordic light (should you be lucky enough to visit on a day like we had).

More, more, more about the 'Nordic Light' - I KNOW...

The library might be my favorite thing we have seen so far. Its funny actually because of its similarities to the Kalamazoo public library which must have modeled itself in its likeness. The overall structure consists of a large round central room within a larger square. The entryway is a relatively small and dark hall with enormously tall ceilings and three staircases. The central staircase lifts the eye up into view of the central room that is well lit and warm. The building was amazing - also we got to go on the roof and see most of the not-publicly accessible building (so good).

After the library we went to the National Museum and saw their applied design rooms and a special show called "Love and Last" which consisted of things like pornographic oil paintings, chrome vagina sculptures and a catalog of some artists pubic hair from sexual partners. The museum was pretty nice and we followed it up with a way way way too expensive dinner at a cafe overlooking a band shell with live music.

Tomorrow looks to be a busy day as it will be our first full one in Stockholm, I'm hoping we will get it together enough (or rather be rested enough) to go out on the town at night and explore some bars or clubs. I think I like Stockholm the best of the Scandinavian cities that we have visited. Its accessible but feels big and old.

So far so good.