Hi Ho! Hi Ho! Part I

It's off to shop we go!

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

If I were to physically accumulate every outing that has begun with the words, 'It's merely a short jaunt.', and position each excursion undertaken consecutively, I likely have traversed on foot from the far-reaching outskirts of Stockholm to the inner city and back again! However, 'press on' I dare say, 'press on'............

As I was leaving the Hotel Grand I headed towards the medieval village of Old Town. I found my imagination overrun with illusions of cute tidy shops and quaint little candy emporiums. Sugarplum delicacies and tidy little treats danced ever so gaily overhead. With the anticipation of successfully achieving my objectives for the day clearly in focus, I forged ahead. Little did I know I was about to have my navigational system overrun by a frothing sea of tourists, and locals alike, whilst being submerged in what my companion may have referred to at one point as 'the dreaded bowels of souvenir hell'. However, I can't quite be certain I heard her correctly. Surely not!

I had been duly informed earlier, by one of the locals, that perhaps we might find the particular collection of boutiques on our agenda to consist of merely high-end shops for adults with childlike minds. Nevertheless, I choose to be totally open minded and opted to embrace my inner child, if need be. Surely that could only enhance the whole experience. Therefore, remaining blissfully optimistic, I focused on my young at heart mentality. Thus we began our journey.

We pushed off at a moderately light pace in anticipation of a wonderfully successful shop. My mood was carefree and full of enthusiastic wonderment. You do understand that I am referring to my OWN state of mind of course, and not that of my companion. During previous shopping excursions, my cohort has been known to hover nearby like Johnny Raincloud on a hot muggy afternoon, rumbling in the distance, waiting for the most inopportune moment to rain on my parade. We all know the type I'm talking about. Shopping was not high on her list for entertainment value. A downpour was not out of the realm of possibilities, still, even with expectations on high alert, my enthusiasm did not waver as I elected not to allow such knowledge to dampen my enthusiasm in the least.

to be continued.....

Cheerio!

See you at the post!

Danna