January was a month of julstjärna disappearing from windows, big coats, blue light in the mornings, people ice skating, sun breaking over the horizon, Semla in bakery windows and an ongoing wave of violence across the city.
Varje °C räknas ads started appearing around the city — it means every °C counts. The signs were encouraging people to turn down their heating and reduce hot water usage. Our energy situation was strained because hydro rivers in the North froze, weak winds reduced turbine output and two of our nuclear reactors were offline for maintenance… all at the same time.

A bike drive-in at a bakery… I’m sold!
Stockholm saw a wave of regular bombings, shootings and other violence throughout the month (sometimes several in a single evening). It was reported as gang related and ~180 extra police were called in as reinforcement from other regions. We walked past a bombed restaurant on Södermalm and saw cables and insulation hanging down from the ceiling, and boards over the windows. It was sad to see in a city we love so much, and call home.
There is usually something to see along Drottninggatan — most often the preaching man or Krishnas playing music. This time it was chalk artists drawing flags of the world.
We didn’t spend much time out and about in the city during January; our spare time was more focused on resting and enjoying our apartment after a busy few weeks.
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