The year was 2014, a cold late-November evening on the Atlantic coast of Sweden and a numbing fatigue from 30+ hours of wakefulness. As it grew dark rain turned to snow and for a brief moment the wind stopped. This was the opportunity to go for a stroll around the block where my hotel was, a quick walk around till the brain is convinced I need to lie down and perhaps try to sleep.

Gustav Adolfs torg, Helsingborg, Sweden - iPhone 6 Plus (2014)

Helsingborg, Sweden - iPhone 6 Plus (2014)

When I arrived in Helsingborg for the first time it was via a badly planned route that involved three fucking flights over 2.5 days with stops at JFK, Arlanda and Ängelholm. Suited the time well for it was the end of 2014 - the year that was transformative to my professional as well as personal life. Over the next four years I met some amazing people who not only made me feel at home in this part of the world but also provided reasons for me to want to visit Helsingborg so forth.

This is my home away from home.

Kärnan, Helsingborg, Sweden - CineStill 400D (2024)

View of Öresund from Kärnan, Helsingborg, Sweden - Kodak Portra 400 (2024)

Helsingborg, Sweden - Kodak Portra 400 (2024)

Helsingør across the sound in a different country is a twenty minute ferry ride away.

Helgingør, Denmark - CineStill 400D (2024)

Kronborg Castle, Helgingør, Denmark - Kodak Portia 400 (2024)

Lund in some ways reminds me of Redmond, Washington even more so geographically. Away from the sound, slightly colder drier climate and a mix crowd of young academia. The most striking difference is that there’s no university of fame in Redmond. I have memories of dining at a Texas-style barbecue restaurant in a barn somewhere near Lund many years ago but I had not explored this lovely university town in Skåne until now.