Ghost Of A Christmas Past

As the holidays near in a year unlike any other, AMITHA AMEEN jogs back her memory to the time she visited the bustling Christmas markets of Gothenburg in Sweden.

- Amitha Ameen

Christmas Is Here! It is the season of Santa and his reindeer, of carol singing and gift giving, of evergreen conifer trees decorated with fairy lights and glittering paraphernalia. As much as I’m looking forward to scaled-down, cosy festivities with my family at home this year, I can’t help but indulge a daydream about my last Christmas— the most adventurous one yet.

Overcast skies and chilly winds welcome me to the 400-year-old city of Gothenburg, Sweden. I have always been fascinated with Scandinavia. Every aspect of the region intrigues me—Norse gods, the Northern Lights, dramatic fjords, colourful markets, and tales of Vikings. So, it is a dream come true to be here—near Christmas, no less. Not only is the city famous for its Christmas markets, but it is also the world’s most sustainable destination (according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019). A comfortable flight onboard Qatar Airways’ Business Class has brought me to Göteborg Landvetter Airport, where a taxi awaits to ferry me to my home for the next three days, Scandic Rubinen.