A Story About Stockholm Metro
Definition of metro
plural metros
: subway
Stockholm is famous for its metro art. Metro stations in Stockholm can be divided into three line; the red line, the green one and a “new” blue line, my all time favorite :) Not only because of the art, but I lived for 2 years in the same blue line, tho I moved for a bit.
Ah no. Not that the blue line sucks but i just hate to ride the old train wagon which makes noises a lot XD And you will ride that often in the Blue line. (Or red line sometimes)
So the blue line starts in the famous Kungsträdgården, which literally means the King’s Park (Royal’s Park?). There you can find NK, the upper class shopping mall. The park itself is all-year hanging out place. In summer, there’s a lot of festival there. Indonesian embassy held a cultural festival last summer there, as well as the Thailand, Korean, Indian and Mexico culture fest. During summer-autumn, they held free lunch jazz concert there, too, sometimes. In winter, the park turns into ice skating rink, which is fun. They have disco skating in the weekend if I’m not mistaken. From Kungsträdgården you can go to a lot of tourist spots, like Grona Lund, Waldermarsudde, Skansen, and many more. Or just walk to enjoy the best Stockholm vibe :)
After Kungsträdgården, blue line will take you to Stockholm Central. The biggest station in town (of course) where all the lines meet. This photo taken there.
Blue line used to be located in the furthest down of metro line but recently the pendeltag line lies below it. See the stairs in the picture here? That stairs is so damn high and i run either up or down to catch a train.
Since I’m not really good keeping track of time, I run to catch my train most of the time, like MOST OF THE TIME. I run a lot to catch the train that i dont see the point why i have to jog regularly, cos I sprint regularly by doing that! XD
I ALWAYS HATE Stockholm Central. It’s so crowded that I take other route to avoid the rush hour especially. But it’s so big, it’s so grande that I took it for granted. There are a lot of beautiful photo about Stockholm Central in instagram and around the internet. But me? I only have this photo of Stockholm Central.
The next station after Stockholm Central is Rådhuset, the Red House. There’s Indonesian Embassy office here, where I got a part time job as content designer once. There’s Indian buffet restaurant near this area too XD
Then we go to Fridhemsplan, where there’s Willys, a cheap and big groceries store. It’s much cheaper compare to other stores in Stockholm and it offers a lot of discounts! Oh, student life XD
when i know there’s discount price on my fave or needed items
me after shopping discounted items
After Fridhemsplan, there’s Stadshagen, a modern chic urban area with beautiful seaside park. Oh oh,and in this park lies my dates, mates and failed aurora watching attempts (sounds like a 2000s-teen-lit title like? XD)
One summer sunset in Stadshagen
Next, one of my favorite station: Västra skogen! which literally means Western Wood. When i was live here, i put “currently live in Western Wood” on my bio. Vastra Skogen might looks hideous BUT the art of Västra skogen will looking at you instead :3 (see here).
After Västra skogen, blue line divided into to route, i.e. the one goes to Akalla and the other one which goes to Hjulsta. Train stations that goes to Hjulsta have magnificent arts as well. But i rarely roamed around this line. I usually went to Rissne where Mba Biah and Kak Fumi, my favorite support system in Stockholm live for a year or so, before they move to different place. Pictures below were taken on the line goes to Hjulsta.
Well, from Västra skogen , the line which goes to Akalla will direct you to Solna Centrum. It kinda have similar colour to Rådhuset but it definitely serves different vibes. I like the vibrant red colour in this station with its art-museum-like exhibitions.
Next next, my recent favorite station: Näckrosen!
Just because my significant other live here :P But this station is the selo-est more reserved (kinda) than any other station in this line, even on the weekend.
After Näckrosen, there’s Hallonbergen station, which i usually just passed by. I think I only been in this station for only 5 times during my stay in Sweden. Oh but the metro art here is kinda cute. It’s child-like drawing and sketch painted on the wall.
Theeeennnn, we have KISTA STATION *drum roll* which my most favorite station in this city! Outside the station, there’s Kista Galleria which is a shopping mall with cozy city library. On the upper floor of the mall, there’s student housing where I lived for 1,5 years XD
Oh memories~ :3
There’s many bus connection from this station and also Flygbussarna which goes to the airport. Not far from this station, there’s Helenelund pendeltåg station. (Winter wonderland from Helenelund station here and here).
And actually i rarely went to stations after Kista. There’s Husby and Akalla station. I went to Husby usually to swim in the gym center nearby the station, and I went to Akalla usually to took the bus that goes to Barkarby (where there’s IKEA, a big Decathlon store, and many other factory outlets).
And yeah, that’s my favorite line in Stockholm. Since I lived in this line for about 2 years, I kinda take it for granted. Like, I haven’t been roamed and taking pictures in Central Station, Kungsträdgården , and Hallonbergen, even tho I passed it many times. But yeah, I miss walking and running to catch the train. I miss the integrated transportation. And Stockholm is definitely the most fruitful phase of my life :)
the one who try to move on
@dynnsanctuary
PS. Honorably mention Stockholm Metro Art: Thorildsplan Station (photo here and here)