Before going to the exchange, my understanding of Stockholm was limited to the term “Stockholm syndrome.” It’s a fascinating concept, also known as hostage syndrome, referring to victims developing feelings for their captors, sometimes even aiding them. Later, I learned that it’s named after Stockholm just because the initial incident happened there.
When I arrived in Stockholm, it was early September, and the summer heat hadn’t completely dissipated yet. After a tiresome 7-hour bus ride, I was exhausted. Seeing the deserted streets at 6 in the morning, with the first light of dawn breaking, I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of this “empty city.” Compared to the small town where my school was located, this felt like a big city. Walking the streets with newly made friends, admiring the European-style architecture, churches, colorful houses, everything felt so fresh. Our first stop was taking a boat to a nearby island for hiking.
The weather was perfect, and we squeezed onto the crowded deck of the boat along with other tourists, gazing at the surrounding scenery. From the boat, we could clearly see the theme park Grona Lunds Tivoli on the opposite shore. It looked like a separated mysterious paradise, shrouded in morning mist, almost like a mirage, as if it would disappear the next moment. Among the dense trees along the shore, we could occasionally spot a few secluded cottages hidden among them. The white walls seemed to reflect the sunlight, creating a serene atmosphere. I imagined the owners of these cottages sitting under parasols, watching the boats passing by on the sea in the blazing summer sun.
After breakfast at our destination, the journey uphill began. The towering trees along the way provided shade from the scorching heat. As a first-time hiker, I also experienced the joy of it; it was simply breathtaking. What impressed me the most was when we reached a lake, its surface shimmering in the sunlight. A few of us climbed onto a large rock, watching the ducks on the water and children playing around. Nearby, a father played with his two children in the sand. I felt like I could sit here all afternoon.
Eventually, we reached the top of the hill along the irregular stone path. Wiping the sweat off my forehead, the sunlight made it difficult to keep my eyes open. Even squinting, it was hard to see through the viewfinder clearly, but I blindly took many photos, praying they wouldn’t turn out blurry once I could see the camera screen. Fortunately, they didn’t, marking a perfect end to my hiking experience.
