Study Abroad in Sweden

So it’s been a good bit since I have written anything. I took a break and I am not sure why. April did seem like a difficult month for me though. The brother John, of my uncle Tim who passed away in February, passed away in April. It is very difficult for me to be away from home at times like these. I know if it was my choice I would be there of course, but it is just not so easy to do that. I feel that I can truly celebrate his life though. He was very sick. I called him on his birthday, April 1st. My grandmother put the phone by his ear and he tried to speak, but the sounds just did not come out. I just hope all of this happening can make me stronger as a person.
School got very busy for me during the first week of April I was doing 5 courses at once so things did get a bit hectic. There are only two weeks left of school for me and I am so happy about it. I am not sure if my grades will be good or not.
My health is in tip top shape now although it took about 5 weeks for my rib to completely heal so I had to take it easy. During the first week of April it snowed 9 inches. I couldn’t believe it; I had hoped all the snowing was over. It was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed it. I decided it was possibly the last decent snow I might ever see in my life. I took advantage of it with all I could. My friend Tom and I built a snowman. He didn’t look like the typical snowman, but instead he looked like an ogre. I named him Gustoff and ever since then I have really liked that name! We also went up to Norra Berget and took some amazing pictures. It was all very breathtaking.
The snow has been completely cleared for several weeks now and the weather is absolutely perfect! It is still a bit cool, but I like it. I’m still waiting for all of the stones on the sidewalks to be cleared, but I can live with it. I am also waiting for the leaves to bloom. It’s hard to believe it is May and the trees are naked!
The end of this month will be very exciting. Several of us students are going to Finland and Estonia. A friend and I will continue on with Latvia, Lithuanian, Poland, and Czech Republic. During our time in Lithuanian we will only be about 30 km from Belarus. Visas can be obtained 3 days prior so I am thinking about doing that… I think this will be a very confusing trip. Most of the countries will be changing to the euro soon, but not soon enough. It’s very difficult having to constantly withdrawal money from the ATM and do conversation rates in the head especially when they vary everyday and not to mention the different languages. It is sure a good thing that I enjoy challenges. This will be one.
I also booked a trip for Denmark and Netherlands for July. I really want to go to Lego land and 6 flags! I will be visiting some friends in Amsterdam. One which I haven’t seen since 2006. It should make for a nice reunion!

You know those moments in life that are truly breathtaking, literally? You have to remind yourself to keep breathing so that you will live to take it in for just a while longer. These moments make me want to life forever. Then again, if there was no beat in heart I could pass on and feel satisfied with the life that I lived. I am such a blessed person to have these moments in my life and fortunate enough to live to tell about them.
I am back in Sweden now and a bit happy about it. I got very sick during part of my trip so I was thankful to get back. I saw nurse and it seems I have managed to crack a rib from my bronchitis. Who would have thought? Of course it’s painful but nothing like breaking my arms. There’s nothing I can really do but take it easy.
From the point of leaving Liverpool, England it took me 20 hours to finally reach Sundsvall. What a long exhausting day…. I am not sure why, but for some reason the last days of holiday are always the worst for me. This started about 15 years ago when I went to the Lookout Mountains with my Aunt Hazel. I seem to always get in an ill mood and I of course I do not like this about myself.
I really try to prepare myself mentally nowadays for such strenuous days. It all really started as I was going to the airport. This man Ray, who is the father of a friend, drove me to John Lennon airport. Traffic was a bit congested so of course it took a good bit to get there. We where just talking and he ran a yellow/red light and the police just so happen to be right behind us so after that I made it to the airport just in time. Unfortunately, the check-in lines where each about 20 people long. It took ages to get up there, but finally I did and was not pleased by how rude the lady was and of course saddened to know it would cost me 86 Sterling ($180) to get my overweight luggage back to Sweden. This is when I let a very large shriek. Apparently, I accumulated about 20 lbs of stuff during my duration. I will be sure to never ever let that happen again. I just made my way to the trash can and became to throw my life away. I’ve had to do that several times so I am getting used to it by now. I ended up having to pay only $60 extra so I was not completely devastated.
I arrived outside of Stockholm city at midnight and had to wait more or less 2 hours to get a bus into the city. There were complications with the carrier so instead of having a couple of buses for the people there was only one. This meant waiting on the curb to be the first to get on and the queue started right away. It was freezing, but I got on that bus! It was so insane to watch the people combating for a seat, but it was a bit crucial at this point. It almost seemed that we were on a sinking ship with a very limited amount of life rafts. I finally arrived in Stockholm and the city terminal was closed and I suspected it would be. I basically wondered around for a couple of hours. The streets of Stockholm where filled with drunks leaving the clubs trying to find a bite to eat. Creep after creep approached me trying to wisk me away to keep me company. I know there are times I do things or put myself in situations that are unsafe but I do have a level head and I make sure I am not in a secluded area. I also prepare myself to scream, kick shins, and run. I was okay though! The terminal opened early so thankfully I had a warm place to stay and wait. Again, people were crowding the doors trying to be the first ones in. I tell you, getting through the revolving doors was a challenge in its own. So many people stepped in that the doors would actually stop moving and when they began again managed to carry people with it. It really was a very long 5 hours to wait for me. I made myself drink enough coke to stay awake that I did not sleep when I got back home.
Once stepping on the bus I felt home free. I just knew it would be long 6 ½ hours. The sea was a deep blue with a cotton candy sky just above it. The islands and trees where dusted with snow, it was just beautiful.
While on my trip I tried to keep entries about each city I traveled.

So happy to be back in Ireland!!!! I arrived in Dublin around midnight after my flight was delayed for a bit. My friend Frederick met me on the runway as soon as my foot touched the ground. He works for the airport so it makes the task easy to do. We brought my luggage back to his flat and I saw that he had decorated the place in my honor. It was a warm welcoming. His flatmate was in bed so we went out for a bit. The pub we went to was very high end and looked like a palace. I loved it! I am not really a fan of Irish accents mainly because there is a 5 second delay with every sentence spoken to me. So between music and that it seems to make conversation with strangers not so enticing. I would have to say the people really make that place so great. They know how to have a good time and are the most polite people. I’ve had nothing but great experiences there.
Because I have already made a visit to Dublin I really wanted to see some surrounding areas. The next day Frederick and I went to Bray/Bré. It was the most beautiful landscape I have seen in all of my life. I really could not believe my eyes. Certainly the weather could have been more pleasant but it really did not matter. I saw some gorgeous golf courses, adorable sheep, and we had our own accordion concert in the train for most of the trip there.
The sound of the waves hitting the beach put a huge smile on my face. It was very hard to walk though. It was filled with rocks so it made for a geologist’s haven which was still nice since I am into that. We hiked up the mountain and along the way was a family having a picnic. The was a little boy, perhaps 2 or 3 sitting at the picnic table and as I walked by had the cutest smile on his face. His eyes followed me as I walked on by and he actually fell of the bench and started crying. He was okay, but I really could not help but to be so flattered, haha.
Up the mountain we seemed to be walking in circles, for some reason I was hoping for a trail straight to the top. It turns out we walked so far we could see the neighboring city. Too bad we had to turn around because of all the falling rock.
Frederick had to work the majority of the time I was in town but it was still very good. His friends kept me company so it was good and the nightlife is great. As soon as these folks get off work they go straight to the pubs and sing there silly Irish hearts out. I love it! I saw Irish step dancing again. Thinking about taking it up….or not…but it seems like it could be a lot of fun.

As soon as I began to see the outskirts of Belfast, North Ireland I had a feeling that this city would be different than others and it was. I was dropped off at the Europa hotel, which just so happens to be the most allegedly bombed hotel in all of Europe at one time. They were crowds of people starring up at it. I did not understand all of the commotion until I noticed men sliding down the buildings. It was cool to watch, apparently it is for charity.
I could not help but notice all of the young people, everywhere! They are also very easy to pick out in a crowd because of what they wear. The all seemed to be emo or “emotional”. Many looked like they were trapped in the 80s rock decade.
The City Hall is so beautiful and many other buildings as well. There is a large Ferris wheel next to the City Hall and Albert’s clock, both which reminded me of London. The city has many different style of architecture. I stayed just beside the Titanic shipyard with a guy from Portugal and an Irish lad. I picked up the flu from Bruno, the Portuguese. The poor guy had to say in bed almost the entire time. At least at this point I would not let feeling a bit sick get in the way of my touristing.
The most interesting place I went in the city was Shanhill Road. This is the area that was so segregated for 30 years by the Protestants and Catholics. This war was not about religion but instead it was political. The Catholics or Nationals of North Ireland wanted to be one with Ireland while the Protestants vowed to remain loyal to the Queen of Britain. It was humbling to see this place. I am always thankful that our war in not primarily on our own soil, but I became even more so grateful for it.
Shankill is still lined with peace lines, everywhere. These walls stand about 30 feet in some places, still lined with barbed wire. It’s so hard to believe the fighting and bombs only stopped about 10 years ago. This area is run down, but many buildings in the city are new because of the destruction.
On every street seems to be a mural in remembrance of the fighting. I came across a few about the USA. One in particular got my attention. It was an imagine of Baby Bush with a whip in his mouth and message that read “America’s greatest failure” adjoining on the right side was our flag all torn with words of the Star-spangled banner. I was not offended by this because I do not agree with many things that have happened under the Bush administration but I started thinking about all of the lives that George W. Bush has affected by the decisions that he makes. This war does not only affect the brave soldiers and the families, nor the refuges and the people in Iraq as well as it’s neighboring states. It affects the entire world, but I can only pray that somewhere people are benefiting for all of the right reasons.
I went to a Belfast Cathedral on Sunday to listen to the Choir sing. These little boys have some of the most amazing voices, I suppose now until they hit puberty at least. I am not sure which denomination the church was or perhaps it did not have one. The service seemed a lot like that of Lutheran, but when I took communion instead of grape juice that I am used to in service is was indeed wine. I have never been to mass but I know Catholics do drink wine, perhaps not always. Either way I really have no idea, but it was nice though.
Because it was Sunday I was able to get a train ticket around North Ireland for 5 £, so I did. I went to County Antrim which I had only heard good things about. It was so beautiful there. I saw the remains of Dunluce Castle as well as giant causeways and I got to walk over a rope bridge which I always wanted to do.
On Monday morning I was walking outside of the High courts and noticed a man leaving with a barrister wig on. I find it so fascinating and hilarious that they still wear them. How did I not know this? Just as I was waiting to cross the street I heard a terrible rumbling coming from a construction site of a office block. Quickly my inside laughter of the wig was replaced with fear as I saw this building began to collapse. I could not believe what I was seeing. People in the streets where yelling and running. From the top I saw a hard hat fall and then see a man falling just behind it. The air filled with dust and debris. I stood watching and tearing up in disbelieve for a bit. Thankfully, the police and rescue got there quickly. Watching the news that night it seems 6 men had gotten trapped under the rubble. As far as my knowledge there were no deaths and a couple of men have been discharged from the hospital by now. The others are stable.

I arrived to Glasgow on Tuesday March 11. My first impression of the city was hideous! The flight was only 20 minutes and that time was probably the best of the day. Just above the clouds it was so blue, white, and sunny and just below it was so depressing. Too bad I had a mood to match. I have never seen a place so gray and wet. Even though the city was not so lovely I would still liked to have tour it, but that didn’t happen. At that point I had the full blown flu and I ran fever for three days. I can only remember feeling sicker one time in my life. I coughed so much at night I couldn’t even get a descent sleep. Nothing was pleasant for me; I could not even taste my cough drops.

Edinburgh is one hour outside of Glasgow so I was happy to be there within no time at all. I arrived on Thursday March 13. Of course it was windy and raining. From what I’ve been told the UK is this way for 9 or 10 months out of the year. I think I’ll take my chances with tornadoes. However, I could tell the city was beautiful. Right away I noticed the castle and I could see many tall monuments.
I still didn’t feel great at this point, but I was determined not to stay in resting. That night I went on the pub crawl which was a lot of fun. One part of it was particularly funny. As soon I entered one pub I noticed everyone looked like hillbillies with some resemblance of home (just kidding). It turned out to be a Talladega Nights theme party. It was funny to hear the Irish quotes of the people. I must have heard “Shake and Bake” a bazillion times.
The next day was very busy. I did a thorough tour of city. I visited most of the tourist attractions and hiked up Arthur’s seat which is an extinct volcano. I really felt like I was going to die! I was wheezing so badly, but I just kept reminding myself I may never have this chance again. I made it though! Along the way up was a Swan lake which was beautiful. The view was spectacular. The city is built on 7 extinct volcanoes so it makes for some fascinating scenery.
I went to the Royal Museum where I saw Dolly (named after Dolly Parton), the first cloned animal from an adult cell. It was good to finally see her, stuffed or not. I had been hearing about this sheep for a long time. There were many exhibitions and I particularly liked the ones with the animals, but after a bit I got sadden by seeing all of these stuffed animals. I saw many bagpipers in the streets and I loved it! I have always wanted to hear Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and I finally did. It was everything I thought it would be; it made me cry. I think I could listen to that everyday and never grow tired of it.
Walking up to the castle I saw a man who had his face painted and reminded me of Braveheart. He had these large swords for people to pose for pictures with him. I did one of course and then he asked if I wanted a laugh and of course I would never turn that down. He proceeded to give me a post card of man in a kilt with a tattoo of the Lion Rampant of Scotland on his butt. The card was autographed and he smiled and said that’s me. It indeed was him lifted he proved this by exposing himself under his kilt. It was ridiculously funny to say in the least.
Edinburgh is known to have some haunted places so some girls and I decided to do a ghost tour. Umm, it was more about history than anything which is okay by me as I like history. This guy needed some help and I had a feeling I would be picked. Usually I love being in front of people, but not this time. I slumped down so I wouldn’t be picked and Ahoy! I was. I had to depict a naked hairy drunk that was painted blue. That’s an interesting combo if you ask me. Anyways, the tour wasn’t scary until we went to a grave yard. This was the graveyard that was made famous for Greyfriar’s Bobby which was true story and then turned into a Disney movie. We all got locked into a family tomb and as cheesy as it was a man jumped out about 10 minutes into it. I almost wet my pants REALLY. I am astonished by how nice people can be in Scotland. Before the tour began and after were reminded that if we did not enjoy it we did not have to pay. I did not like it so much, but I would have felt bad not to pay. Afterwards we had some Mexican food and I promise it was the best I’ve eaten in my whole life! Anyways Scotland was amazing. I hope one day to go back and find the Loch ness Monster and to visit Skye Island. I have heard the most amazing things about that place, but unfortunately I did not have time.

My next adventure was to Llandudno Wales and ohh boy I took forever to get there. The scenery along the way beautiful though. I saw so many fat sheep and many of them had blue paint on them. Hopefully that does not mean they will be put on the chopping block soon. I kind of want a sheep now. I had a stop in Leeds, England and while I was waiting these men got into a confrontation. They were both black males, one that worked for the bus company and the other was a passenger. I really have no clue what they were disagreeing about but they began to call each other Africans. This story has no true significance except that the world is so ignorant.
Anyways, Llandudno has the largest resort in Wales. It was very quite this time of year but I can only imagine how great it is in the summer. I got there late on the first night so I did not get to see a lot really. Right off the bat I could tell that Wales was a posh and expensive area, but I certainly love the Welsh accents.
The following day I kind of wondered the area. I went up to the Great Orme and saw the light house which really did not look like the typical light house. The view was great from there. I could see cliffs and the Llandudno pier, it was beautiful.
On Sunday I went to see Conwy Castle which is not too far. It was probably my favorite castle that I have seen. The port was so pretty and the weather was nice for the most part. Llandudno was just a really nice place to visit. There were not so many things to do, but nevertheless I found it to be so beautiful.

I was so happy to see the sun shine all day long! Liverpool has been voted the Capitol of Culture for 2008 and apparently is the “in city” for the time being. Perhaps I missed something, but it just seemed like a quite city to me. I didn’t see loads and loads of people in the city center at any point and I liked it to be honest. It was nice to know that this city is not in a constant rush.
The first place I really went was the Cavern Quarter. This is famous for the Beatles. They first began playing in The Cavern pub. That place looks like a bomb shelter and in that case is probably a great place to be if that’s ever needed. The stage is really tiny and I felt like I had to bend over when standing on it.
Liverpool is already a nice city, but when much of the construction near Albert’s Dock is completed is will look much better. I went to the International Museum of Slavery which is the first of its kind. I was a bit sad to see the things on exhibition and to read stories of people. I suppose this is the point they are trying to get across though. There was a mention of Tennessee. It was only for the notoriety of the Ku Klux Klan, great eh? I also made a visit to the Liverpool Cathedral which is noted to be the largest in Europe and it was spectacular. The best I’ve ever seen anyways. I also went to the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral which was too modern for my taste, but the stain glass was great on the inside. The place had a glow of blues and purples. I really did not get a chance to have a better look at this city as my time was very limited there, but nevertheless it seems like a great place especially since the economy is picking up.

Tomorrow is a very big day for me! I will be making my first big trip. I have been sick just over a week now and I am hoping to get better over night. Anything is possible! I will be making this trip alone and along the way meet up with a couple of friends. I will be going back to Dublin, Ireland and then making my way up to Belfast, North Ireland. I will be flying to Glasgow, Scotland from there and also visiting Edinburgh while I am in the area. Then I will make it down to North Wales. I am not sure if I will be going to Bangor or Llandudno, but I have made reservations for Llandudno. Either way they are so close together it does not matter. Last I will go to Liverpool, England. Apparently Liverpool is a hot spot at the moment for Travel. I am only leaving myself a couple of days there before I will fly back to Stockholm.
I will rest whenever I can and study whenever the opportunity arises. I have an exam coming up soon, so it’s vital that I spend flights and train rides studying if my attention span allows. I am a bit fearful of how my body will respond to all of this physical stress. The last time I traveled for two weeks straight I spend the following week in the bed recuperating. It will be worth it though. I can sleep when I am dead.
It snowed several inches the past few days. It is so beautiful!! I will be happy to leave this weather for now though. When I get back maybe I will ski and I hope to go dog sledding as well. I hope everyone will keep me in their thoughts while I am gone. I will be as safe as I can be. I think the closest “near to death” experience I have had has been in the UK. I have a tendency to only check one side of the road instead of both, not to mention the psychotic drivers. Hopefully, I will quickly adapt to driving on the other side of the road. After all, it could save my life.

Things have gotten better since the last time I wrote. My family is doing as well as they can. I spoke with my brother and the driver that crashed into my uncle was under the influence of alcohol. This comes as no surprise to me as U.S. statistics claim approximately half of all automobile accidents involve alcohol with just below 40% of fatal crashes involving the same. It’s a shame….
Tuesday, Feb. 19th we all said good-bye to Markus Stahl. Markus is from Germany and we were both Erasmus students here in Sweden the fall of 2006. I was so happy to return to Sweden and to see his familiar face. We tried to make in an international dinner so everyone could bring a typical dish from home. It was certainly some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. I can’t pronounce what some of the things were, but they were all delicious I assure you.
My weekend was nice, but I feel a cold coming on. On Friday we all went to Normalm for a pre-party and then made our way into the city for some dancing. We went to the Stathuset; it was my first time there. The place has a large dance floor and a couple of bars. The music was up to date, thank goodness! Dance floors are referred to as discos in Sweden and I understand why. The American music is usually between 5-20 years behind. It always gives me a good laugh. They Swedish way of dancing is very free so to speak. I once witnessed a girl doing some ballerina moves. People tend to just do what they want and laugh at themselves while doing it…. or maybe it’s me laughing at them….. I am not the best dancer so perhaps that why I enjoy it!
The dancing yesterday (Saturday) was very fun and new for me. I went to a party at my friend Frida’s. Her roommate is from Nigeria and he had some family in visiting him. My friend Mattias taught me the Swedish boog. I was quite old-fashioned but I got to spin and twirl so I loved it! We finished up with some African dancing. Tony, the Nigerian, danced with a rhythm of 2 beats opposed to 1 that I do. It was very interesting to watch and he was very good. We also did a bit of Salsa, so the Salsa lessons I took a couple of years ago paid off a bit.
Today Tom, Kitty (both of Amsterdam, Netherlands), and I went to IKEA and shopping at Birsta City. I spent way too much money! I got a great pair of boots that I couldn’t be happier with and some other clothes. We had a typical Swedish lunch and I was very impressed. This evening I went to their place where Tom cooked Dinner for us. Then we watch King of Queens for a few hours. It’s one of my favorite series so I could probably watch it all day long. I am definitely tired after this week.