#throwback – May 23, 2024

Made It on Time!

I actually manage to hit the trail on time today! I want to arrive at the hostel early enough to do laundry—that’s the main reason I booked a room. Wild camping near a big city isn’t easy either, so this is a win-win. Today I arrive in Jönköping, the capital of the province. The city sits at the southern tip of Lake Vättern and has more or less merged with the city of Huskvarna.

The Sofia Church is beautiful, and the rest of the old town is well worth a visit too. I keep walking, and then Lake Vättern reveals itself—wow! It’s the second largest lake in Sweden. The weather feels like summer, and pale Swedes are sunbathing on the beaches. I follow a gently descending path with stunning views down toward Huskvarna. Just after three, I arrive. The door to the hostel opens with a code, and as per the instructions, there’s an envelope waiting for me in the linen closet with the key to room 6.

First things first: laundry! Two backpackers are already at the washing machine. Each cycle takes 25 minutes, so I’ll have to wait, but I don’t mind. Next to the machines, there’s a separate drying room with racks made of perforated pipes. Warm air flows through them, and within a few hours, everything’s dry. Not that I was worried—everything I carry is lightweight and quick-drying anyway.

I go grocery shopping, cook in a real kitchen, reorganize a bit, and clean all my gear. But then, a nasty surprise at the checkout. I thought I was getting a bargain, but it turns out that the fancy potato salad—and a few other things—were priced per 100 grams, not per package. I already thought it was suspiciously cheap. I could kick myself. It really was too good to be true. After a long shower, I sleep like a rock in a real bed. And yet… I kind of miss my tent.