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Ten Months in Sweden

About two weeks ago I had my last company beer/good-bye party at Starbreeze. I need to deal with lots of formal stuff in Poland now, then I’ll have a short vacation (flying to Venice next week) and then I will move to Canada to work for Digital Extremes. It really wasn’t easy decision as I had great time in Sweden and Starbreeze, but the offer was just too good to pass, one needs to take risks sometimes.

I will miss Sweden and SBZ guys, last 10 months were really cool and I’d like to summarize it in few photos (image heavy post incoming).

Click pictures for bigger size.

Hotel Uppsala. That’s where we were located when I came to Uppsala for the first time, for my job interview in February of 2009. I didn’t know I’d later pass by this building every day when going to work.

My first flat (building in the background). Actually, it was company’s. Starbreeze rents several flats, where out-of-town employees can live until they find  their own. I’ve only lived there for a month. Best thing about this place was it’s only 10 minutes walk from the office and in the very center of the city.

That’s my second flat, rented on my own this time (last floor). It was in Stenhagen district of Uppsala. A very nice neighbourhood, lots of woods, little Swedish houses, animals (I met a hare jumping happily near the entrance door once). It took me about 20 minutes to get to the office by bike (great scenic route, they have bike routes *everywhere*). I wasn’t tough enough to ride the bike during winter, but Swedes do it without thinking twice. One our QA guys lives there now, hope he likes it.

Maxi ICA, the biggest supermarket in Uppsala (to the right, in the background). Fortunately, it was located 500 meters from my flat, I did all my shopping there.

Here’s Starbreeze office (top three floors are ours).

Starbreeze flag (in front of the office). Weather wasn’t the best when I tried to take this photo, so it’s not fully visible, but believe me – it’s cool.

View from the office, east side. I’ve been sitting on the 6th floor, so the view was nice. There are not many high buildings in Uppsala, SBZ’s one is actually one of the highest, balcony view (7th floor) is even better.

Balcony view, west side.

Uppsala cathedral (Domkyrka) in the background. That’s probably the most known building in Uppsala.

Cathedral inside.

Kung Karl Gustaf boat. For some reason it’s one of the first things that springs to my mind when recalling Uppsala.

Skogsbyn (I’m not entirely sure if that’s proper name, only seen it once somewhere). Just next to my neighbourhood, that’s how I’ve always imagined Sweden.

Stenhagen again, one of my last walks.

Good bye present. Tasted it already, it’s truly delicious stuff. Skål, guys!

This one is a little bit more symbolic. My lead got it from guys on the other project as a ‘payment’ for his help. Now I got it from him, hopefully I’ll be able to return it one day. Cheers, Patrik!

Me, at the bus stop, everything (hopefully) packed, ready to go home.

Departure hall of Skavsta airport, our last flight.

If you’re interested in even more photos, there should be some in my Picasa album. If you got a chance to visit Sweden by yourself – do not hesitate, it’s a beautiful country. Also, if you’re a good programmer looking for work — don’t think twice, Starbreeze is one of the best places around.

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