I waited quite some time for this fellow sitting under the Gustav II Adolf Statue to move so I could get a clear shot, but after about 45 minutes he seemed as comfortable as ever. Looking at it now it though, he seems to fit beneath the bronze figure of the Swedish king who ushered in Sweden’s Golden Age during the early 1600s. The statue of Gustav II Adolf (also known as Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden) sits in the aptly named Gustav Adolf’s Torg (“Square”), since he founded the city of Gothenburg. (He’s actually supposed to be pointing to the exact spot he wanted the city built.)
Gustav Adolf turned Sweden into a world power in a very short and difficult time, especially considering since he started his reigned while the kingdom was mired in 3 wars. One of his first accomplishments was to make peace with Denmark, putting an end to the Kalmar War. You can visit the site of where the Treaty of Knared was signed (on January 20th, 1613) in that town of the same name 175 kilometers south of Gothenburg.
Located in Gustav Adolf’s Torg is Gothenburg’s City Hall, but the main attraction in the city seems to be shopping. Many people from nearby countries like Germany drive, or take day ferries in to take advantage of the cheaper Swedish prices. Beware however, if you’re carrying any currency other that Euros, Pounds, or Scandinavian krone varieties; the deals can hardly be considered bargains in the rather expensive city.
There are more of my pictures from Gothenburg, Sweden in my image gallery here.
Great shot. I love the colours of the flags in contrast with the grey skies.
And I have to unfortunately agree about the lack of a good deal – or even a decent price – in much of this part of the world!
Their idea of “bargain” is definitely skewed. My wallet is scared of Scandinavia 😛
I am also someone who contentedly waits for people to clear before taking a photo. It is frustrating when they seem determined to stay – evn false departures before looping around and looking some more at the given attraction.
This guy definitely had a series of false departures. In fact, I think my presence inclined him to stay longer than he was originally intending.
I think it looks even symbolic – powerful king from past and relaxing man from today)
Whenever I see that statue I think he’s saying, “no. I want the city right over *here*!”
I had a good laugh when I read that you waited so long for the guy to leave. I used to do the same thing, but then my Dad asked me “Where are all the people in your photos” and I decided that he was right – my photos looked all tourist magaziney – which is really not what I’m all about. So now I just take them with the people in them and, frankly, I like them a lot better. I thought your photo was terrific – the fella lent perspective, at the very least, to the huge statue.
haha, thanks Barbara, I’ll keep that in mind. Looking at the photo now, I’m glad he’s in there – makes for a more interesting photo 🙂
LOL… I The exact same thing happen to me in malta… I was trying to take a picture of the beach I waited hours (literally) and then the garbage can came out in the picture. lol
haha, sounds like it was fate!
Having people – like this guy – in travel photos helps relay the experience of actually BEING in the place, I think.
I hadn’t thought about that way but an interesting perspective, especially since I typically try so hard to have *no* people in my photos.
I think photos are better when they have a person in them – it adds some scale and human interest and stops it being like any other postcard shot!
Without him I would have forgotten how large this statue actually is…will try to work away from the postcards 🙂