Hotorget is located at the most central part of Stockholm which is the reason why I chose to stay in this area. As I am a woman travelling alone I always elect to stay at busy (ergo safer) places. Sometimes I really wish I am a man and able to move freely.
There is a fruit and vegetable market everyday on Hotorget. Hotorget means ‘Hay Market Square’ by the way. On Sundays there is a flea market here. The square is ringed by the Royal Concert Hall, Filmstaden Sergel (cinema complex), the Pub which is the oldest department store (and Rica Hotel where I stayed) and across the road, the Kungshallen food court.
Here are fotos of the daily Fruit and Vegetable Market (except Sundays):
And fotos of the Flea Market on Sundays:
It is interesting to notice that the vendors on Hotorget are mostly of Middle Eastern decent. With all the atrocities in the last decade in the Middle East we see many asylum seekers entering Europe.
This is not just a Sweden thing. When I was in Oslo, I saw the same trend. In mainland Europe it has been this way for as long as I can remember in my already 9-year stint in the Netherlands. Multicultural society they say.
Do you believe in a multicultural society? Well, I do as long as respect and tolerance are the main values that holds it together. Unfortunately it is not always the case. We have abusers and leechers in our midst. We have elitists who think their culture is superior from the rest. And do not get me started on religion.
We have a long way to go…
Travel Period: August 2011