Amsterdam

In Amsterdam! We left Copenhagen on Thursday at 6 on a train to Amsterdam. We took it through the night, and thinking about our wallets we booked an seat rather than an overnight cart. The train went through the night and we arrived in Amsterdam around 10 the next morning. Our first objective was coffe. Next was to get ride of our bags so we could really see the city. From the Central station we walked probably about 30 minutes, wandering a bit, then folled the map to our Hostel. We then spent the rest of day looking around, getting to know the city. The architecture is wonderful here.

Much less modern looking then other cities. Many buildings have planters and so many lovely flowers. Some of the nicest rose bushes growing around entrances. The parks are great too. Clara and I put a deposit on a picnic basket at a bagel shop that we found, they packed the picnic for us and had a lovely picnic in Vondel Park.
The bike traffic here is pretty insane, expecially with all the wondering tourist, on bikes and on foot. And sometimes it can be hard to decipher a bike lane from a walking lane.  It really has kept me on my toes.   Tomorrow we're either going to the Van Gogh Museum or taking a boat tour in the Canal, depending on the weather in the morning, then we're planning on going to the Botanical Gardens and hear some music in the Afternoon. I'm getting much more comfortable in reading a map, finding where I want to go and getting there. 
Last night we went to bed early, since we got very little sleep sitting on the train, and I can't even explain how great it was to sleep horizontally.
Monday we are headed to Prauge on another night train. I hope it goes well and We get a little more sleep than the last time. If not I hope the beds at the next hostel are comfortable. We can only Hope!

In Denmark!

 

 !! We made it to denmark!!! It was a 5 hour train from Stockholm to Copenhagen. We bought our inter-rail tickets before we left and thankfully the guy working the counter was a young boy who had done some inter-railing himself, so he had some tips for us and was very helpful when it came to questions. We chatted and joked and it definetly relaxed us a bit. Then we had a nice coffee with Clara's mother, Gabriella before she saw us off at the train station. 

 There we are waiting for the Train to Copenhagen!

 We made it!!!!

 Here's Clara and Joy this morning at Joy's appartment with Joy's Aunt's dogs. She has two others. So sweet!!

 Joy, Clara and I in front of Copenhagen's City hall.

 Ben and Jerry's in Copenhagen!!!

 New Haven, and area in Copenhagen. Lovely boats and buildings.

 Clara inside of the Library.

 Inside Marmorkirken Cathedral. Marble Church would be the translation. Silence was required upon entrance. So beautiful. I love the going inside of the largest buildings. It take my breath away every time. And the paintings on the ceilings, always amazing.

 A piano at a piano store we walked by. We couldn't go into the room, but I was drooling over this one. I'll be dreaming of it for weeks.

 Checking out the city map. We had a lovely day in the city walking around, checking out the streets, stores, sights, street performers, and the people. We stopped at the Castle where the Royal King and Queen of Denmark live. We couldn't go inside, but such royalty they must be...

Here I am feeding the chickens some left-overs at Joy's place. She lives in an appartment at her Aunts, so these are her Aunt's ladies. 

So far our trip is going smoothly. The only problem we have run into so far is that my debit card doesn't work over the internet for booking hostels and tickets. But otherwise things are working out. But it is only our first day. Tomorrow we'll spend another day in Copenhagen and hopefully meet up with our friend Matt, then we have a night train booked for tomorrow that will go though the night to Amsterdam! Not sure when I'll get to post next, but I'll try to post whenever I can so those of you who are following know that we are alive and well! Until next time, Cheers!

About to head to Copenhagen

So soon we take off on our Euro-tour. Not quite sure what's in store for us, but I'm trying to not let my excitement build too much. So here is our plan-at 3 we head to Copenhagen, Denmark. We will meet up with our friend, Joy, who was lived in Randolph as an exchange student the same year as Clara. We'll be staying with her for two nights. It's hard to say exactly what we plan to do, because that could change as soon as we get there. Also my friend Matt from vermont, who I've know since I was young, is going to in Copenhagen the same time as Clara and I so we are planning to meet up with him and do some sight seeing together. After two nights in Copenhagen we are headed to Amsterdam. We're hoping to take the night train to save a day traveling, but we're not sure how that will work out yet. Tomorrow when we buy our Euro-rail pass we're going to book our train ticket from Copenhagen to Amsterdam, hopefully we'll find one that will fit. We'll be in Amsterdam for 3 nights, then head to Prague for another two nights. Those three citys are for sure for those days because we have already booked hostels. As for the rest of our trip we are planing to go to Croatia for at least 4 nights, Budapest for two night, and Berling for 3 or 4 nights. We're not sure in what order we will do the tail end of our trip but we'll see.

Our bags are all packed, mine is weighing about 12 Kg. As I packed each item I had to think ¨How would I feel if I lost this?¨ So many of my favorite things that I brought, like my stuffed duck, or my favorite rings and necklace I will not be carrying along with me. Here is a list of what I've pack for this three week journey.
-1 thermos
-2 books to read which can be chucked when finished
-1 fresh journal thanks to Bud & Bella's Book store in Randolph
-1 pair of jeans
-2 pairs of shorts, one for sleeping, one for day wear
-2 skirts
-1 pair of black leggings
-5 tank tops
-3 t-shirts, one nice one for going out somewhere, one for sleeping
-5 sock
-underwear
-bathing suit
-small towels
-toothbrush and like things
-silksheet
-some pens
-a safe belt to wear under clothes
-flipflops for showers, sneakers, tevas
-a small backpack for day trips
-various chargers
-camera!
-ipod reshly loaded with new music
I think that's about all i've got packed. maybe various other things. Playing cards, some dice, aswell as all our information, maps, print outs. I've prepared to get ride of any thing if my bag get too heavy. One regret of mine is that I didn't shop better for a bag and now I've realized it's just a bit too small. But It does force me to carry less which my back will thank me for later. Okay, well now I'm running out of time. I'll try to post when we get to copenhagen! Wish us luck!

Skansen and Midsommar!

Hello! I apologize for my lack of posts, but I must admit it's pretty hard to make myself sit down and reflect on what I've been doing over here. But it's good, so I continue. Hope you're enjoying the few times I do get around to posting.

So as I mentioned we went to Skansen on Tuesday. What fun! It wasn't what I expected though. For some reason I had this idea that it was an island by itself in Stockholm, but no, it's a park on one of the islands, right across from an amusement park. It's actually like a historical park with animals, houses, landscape and craft in the traditional swedish style. It was funny though because Clara kept telling me that I'm going to see the swedish animals! So for some reason I had this idea that the animals in sweden would be something I'd never seen before, or would ever see again. Come to find out they have animals that many other places have... Elk, bear, goats, sheep, cattle, and some others that you don't usually see in the wild. 

Here's a shot of some women in their traditional swedish dress headed into one of the houses from the around the 18th century. 

Here's a type of swedish fence that I've seen everywhere, especially in the more rural areas that I've spent time in. In Skansen it was the only type of fence they had. It's a very typical swedish style fence and I'm totally in love! I really love how it carries your eyes all around the landscape. 

Above is Josie, Allie, Clara and I, taking tourist photos on the Swedish horses!

Peacock

The male grey seal during feeding time. He was so lazy!

Here's another seal giving a high five for a fish. Cute!

Elk!

Clara taking in the view

Allie, Josie, Karin and I.

Red Squirell

Sleepy brown bear

Owl

Linx!

Some of the Pottery made in Skansen

Here is Nora and her friend picking through Glass pieces. This is where the glass blowers break the pieces that don't make it through production. Then the visitors can come and pick out pieces to take home!

On Wednesday Clara and I made Kanelbullar, the swedish cinnamon bun. Yummy!

Sunset over Stockholm from the subway.

Here's Clara and her friend Karin standing with all the groceries for the midsummer dinner party to be had at Clara's house. 

In the early afternoon, Josie, her Host sister from chicago, Allie, Clara and I went over to North Angby Clara lives in south) to see a traditional Midsummer Pole and Dance. First everyone that wants to dances around the pole after they raise it and sing Midsummer songs. Then a small group of dancers preform traditional midsummer dances. It reminded me of the May Day traditions. 

Some of the girls making desserts.

And the feasting Begins! Many of the food on the table is traditional midsummer food, so I made a traditional american dish, baked macaroni and cheese!

I had a lovely Midsummer. Lots of food, singing and swedish drinks along with swedish lawn games! And good company  as well. We hung around late into the night then around 3 a.m. we all went down to the water for a swim! Brrrr. Good fun though. 

Now Clara and I are on the last leg of planning our trip and really need to get on it. I'll let you know our plans when we get them straightened out today. Hopefully we will! We leave on tuesday and Head to copenhagen to see our dear friend Joy. Wish us luck with our planning. We'll need it. 

Plans in the works...

Hi there! Sorry, I've been a bit lazy on the posts. Let's see... What have I been doing... This last week Clara and I have been talking  a lot about our trip into Europe. And in between, seeing Stockholm little by little. 

Here is Karin, Josie, Clara and Hidden behind Karin is Josie's host sister from Chicago, Allie. We were making plans for Midsummer which is this Friday. We'll be having a dinner party at Clara's house. Midsummer is a summer solstice celebration with Midsummer poles covered in flowers, dances, dinners, drinks, etc. As I've mentioned Sweden has an incredible amount of sunlight and this friday with be the longest sun of the year. So basically it means it will be light enough to see all through the night. 

Another Midsummer tradition is to go into 7 different pastures over 7 different fences and pick a flower from each pasture. When you are going to sleep at night, the 7 flowers should go on your pillow and you shall dream of the one you will marry. I guess I'll test it, see if it will tell me my future.

Above is me in Stockholm one of the days Clara and I strolled around the city, checking out a wall covered in paintings. It's a wall in the center of a part of Stockholm where school children go and create a mural. So much detail to look at and so colorful!

We went to a birthday dinner on Wednesday for the girl in the center of the photo, Joline. Very lovely evening with many lovely ladies. Lots of swedish, but lots of fun.

Here's a view from Joline's appartment. Such lovely light.

Here's a picture of Clara and her friend Oscar from the other night. The three of us along with Allie and Josie sat by the water near Clara's house and watched the color in the sky and just had a nice evening sitting by the water into the late hours of the night.

Yesterday Thorbjörn took Clara and I out for lunch at a place called Gondolen in Slussen (the part of stockholm we were in.) Very nice resturant on the top floor where you could see all of the old city as well as much more of Stockholm. We sat and pointed out the buildings we could see and knew and the different parts of the city and I pointed out the places I recognized. It interesting to see a city from above. I feel like I got muh more of an idea of where things are located and whatnot.

Some of the view.

Clara and I standing on the catwalk to see the city.

Today we are headed off to Skansen. It's one of the islands of Stockholm which serves as a national park in Sweden. Here's the website for anyone who is curious. 

http://www.skansen.se/en/

We've packed a picnic with Pasta Salad and Lemonade and fortunatly the rain has stopped and the sun has come out! I'll write more later about how our day went as well as our travel plans into Europe. Enjoy your day!

Clara's Graduation!

Finally, half a week later, Let me tell you about clara's graduation! Since Clara's house was full of people, her and I shared a bed, so I awoke with her at 6 when she was up and about getting ready for her big day! We sat and had a nice breakfast together, then she got dressed and was off for the day. The rest of the morning the house was a bit hectic with last minute things being done for the reception in the evening. Blowing up ballons, making salads, along with getting ourselves dressed, etc. 

Here we are, waiting for Clara and her class to come out of the school building. From left to right is Clara's cousin Celeste, Clara's Aunt/Thorbjorn's sister Linda, Myself, Gabriella, Cousin William, Clara's sister Nora and Nora's friend from New York Rebecca. Thorbjorn is behind the camera. 

Before the students come out of the school everyone's friends and family gather around and each family has a poster of their student as a young child with their name on it. I had the honor of holding Clara's poster until she came out. 

After all the classes have come out of the school building, dancing and jumping and shouting, the students go out into the crowd and find their family. We then give hugs and flowers and hang things around Clara's neck. As you see she has some flowers, a bottle of champagne and a glass too! Then we stood around, giving congratulations and toasted with some champagne and strawberries, Above is Clara, her mother and her father. 

After we've all socialized for a while, and took more than enough pictures, Clara went to change out of her beautiful dress and into some more casual clothing. As you can see she is also armed with plenty of hydration. For what, you might ask. Well each class has rented a large truck which they decorate with painted sheets. On the truck awaited boxes upon boxes of beer cans. After the students all piled on the bed of the truck they proceeded to parade around the city of Stockholm for 2 hours, blasting music, dancing and spraying beer all over each other, the truck and the streets. During that time the rest of us went out for some lunch then hurried home to do the final food preparation and setting of the tables. 

Here's Clara's mother and Friend, Karin, next to the table of food that we spent many hours in the kitchen to prepare, finally finished! Now it was time we wait for all the guest to arrive. Clara's father was at the front of the yard to greet the guest with a beverage, along with a pin with clara's face on it. Possibly one of the best party favors I have received.. 

Here's everyone out on the porch singing a song that was rewritten to fit the occasion, the lyrics printed out for everyone, along with pictures of Clara throughout the paper. It was so lovely to get a chance to meet so many of Clara's friend and family. 

As a graduation gift Clara's aunts, Lotta and Linda, presented her with a backpack just in time for our trip around Europe. They put many little things in the bag, like a notebook, extra underwear, a swiss army knife, and some other nicknacks, each with a meaningful explanation. One of the sweetest gift presentations i've seen! Also all the speeches, songs and conversation was spoken mostly in swedish. I'm really getting a sense of the language, but not sure how much I can actually understand. It is fun for me to guess what might have been said. 

Later in the evening, Nora's friend from New York set up her keyboard and mixing board and did a short performance for Clara. She write all her own songs and mixes the sounds and samples as she plays. 

After the party had quieted down a bit, Clara and I had another party to attend. We headed into the city to a club where all of her classmates met and danced for the rest of the evening. We spent Saturday resting and cleaning up the aftermath of all the guests and celebration.

On Sunday for dinner we made Swedish Meatballs! They don't eat them very often at Clara's house, but since they had two american guests, we decided to do something traditional to Sweden. And wow, they were delicious! 

And for dessert, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie!!!

And here we are around the table, ready to enjoy our meal!! 

After dinner we headed out to the theatre to see Wes Anderssons new film, Moonlight Kingdom. Such a great film. It's a movie set in the early 60's. The color scheme in the movie was so pleasing to the eye, and whenever i see films set in that time period I feel like I missed something really special. 

The weather here has been mostly beautiful, some short periods of rain, but overall it's been lovely outside. I'm also really getting to feel much more comfortable on the subway, getting to and from places. Also something else I noticed, I'm getting much more fluent than I ever have been at getting on and off the escalator. Yes, that is a skill that must be mastered by any city-goers. Before this I probably stepped on an escalator 4 times in a year. Clara and I leave in a week and a half from today for a our Eurotrip so we have some planning and packing to do before then. This posted ended up being longer than I thought, but hope you enjoyed if you got all the way through it!