Travel and other things [ Stockholm, Sweden ]

Today, like many other days, there was another all too common attack. Again, a truck was used which seems to be the 'weapon' of choice lately.

I have many opinions about many aspects of the conversation surrounding these acts but it has been a very long day and I do not have the energy to write with enough attention and will therefore likely make errors in judgement or even worse, grammatical errors. So please drop by for a discussion soon.

Stockholm however is a lovely city and the old town is one of the best maintained of its type I have seen and in general, the city is well kept for such an old place. This is not what makes Stockholm great however.

The Swedes are what set it apart with their blend of hipster trends, pragmatic views and open acceptance of new, the city is an epicentre of creativity. So much so that Stockholm itself attracts 15 percent of all tech startup capital in Europe. With the likes of Spotify and Skype to their name, it is probably a smart bet.

I have been to Stockholm several times over the years with the last being with my wife to see Adele in concert a year ago. The pictures are from that trip.

I have Swedish friends who I don't see often enough but they are among the most open and accepting people I have encountered and every time we meet, laughter is guaranteed. This willingness and openness has allowed Sweden to understand the world and its people in many beneficial ways for business in and out of Sweden. Ikea and H&M are Swedish too. But like any investment, there are costs and risks involved. Today was perhaps one of the costs. I saw a post or two and a news report on what happened but I am not an addict for such things.

I wonder if the Swedes can keep their smiles and pragmatic view because to lose them would be to surrender to the will of those that do not deserve such grace.

Terrorists attempt to use fear to achieve their goals, only if we succumb to the fear can the attempt succeed.

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]