President Obama visits Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden

This is old news really, I'm a week behind but just about worth telling I suppose... seeing that I managed to see President Barack Obama during his visit to Sweden last week!

When I first arrived in the country a few weeks back they announced the big man was paying the country a visit, and I thought what a great experience it would be to see the circus that surrounds him. Luckily everything fell into place on the 4th September.

I arrived in Stockholm at 6.30 am, having taken the sleeper train from far up north. I'd had a good bunch in the sleeper cabin, and got on well with this Swedish chap who was dishing out vodka. Once in Stockholm I took a local train down to my home for a few days - the flat of Carl Pålsson - son of our family friends who I'd stayed with down south. After unpacking my bike and a bit of brecky, I found out the President's rough itinerary and cycled the 11m journey into the city, ready for some President stalking. 

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Near the centre, suddenly there were Police, a lot of Police. The road in front was blocked with cars and concrete barriers, and lined with Police tape and crowds of people. In fact they'd sealed off the whole motorway from the airport, as well as a wide perimeter around the hotel he was staying in, and the government buildings where talks were to be held.

After a while Police helicopters came overhead, and suddenly a huge procession of vehicles arrives. 'There he is' people shout as the big limousine comes past - car actually travels in the hold of the plane with him! I got plenty of photos, but couldn't make him out sadly. Unsatisfied, I nipped off and got some lunch, then found a place by the route to his next meeting. And this time, I saw Barack clearly clear as day.

After a look around the city centre, Carl arrived on the train, and before we went for a pint there was one more opportunity for a glimpse at the Pres. This was hardcore stalking! We were stood in a crowd, and the person by me had the press conference live on his phone which we all watched. It ended, and there was a huge bustle of people leave the foreign office building a few hundred metres in front. My camera caught Barack, but my eyes just saw a blur. The same view as most people I expect.