Hmmm...Where is Thom?

Yesterday was a complete travel day. I left Sweden to fly to Amsterdam with a lay over in Copenhagen. My flight arrived at 6pm where I attempted to take a train to meet Thom without cell phone service. Yep, that was problem number one. I managed to get on the correct train where I introduced myself to the girl sitting next to me. I learned she lives in Portland and was really fun to talk to! I was able to hear part of her story on how she ended up in Amsterdam. I departed the train at Amsterdam Central and followed Thoms directions to where to meet him. I waited... and waited... and then looked back to his email. "Did I get off at the wrong stop?!" Oh my! After waiting for 45 minutes, I pulled some guy aside that was walking to board his train, and asked him if I could use his phone. He kindly looked over the email Thom wrote me and reassured me I was in the right place. I called Thom from this gentlemans phone where I realized both Thom and I had been waiting for each other at opposite sides of the station for the last 45 minutes. In a moment of excitement and relief I thought I saw Thom from afar. I hung up the phone and thanked this kind man for letting me borrow it. In a moment of thrill and relief, I went to race toward my friend Thom when I number of things happened... The busy multitasking American that I am, I began to dart across the station toward Thom and thanked the gentleman quickly. Within about 30 seconds I was grabbed to be kissed goodbye (Oh ya...They do that here, right?) and then quickly realized the guy I was running towards was not Thom. I was like a lost puppy once again. Ugh oh! After finally meeting up with him we walked to his home, dropped my luggage at his home, and grabbed dinner outside at a nearby cafe. It was delicious! Salmon and veggies for those that are wondering. We walked to another place to have apple pie and mint tea. Best I have had by far! I highly recommend it! Grabbed drinks nearby and headed home. More Amsterdam details to be continued...

Goodbye Sweden

Hello Amsterdam!

Thom, myself, and his mint! 

Good Night Amsterdam!

Stockholm

Today we went to Stockholm. We biked to the train station and took the train in from Uppsala to Stockholm. My nephew would have flipped out! Trains were everywhere buddy! When arriving to Stockholm we began to wander through the city. The buildings were amazing! Such color and creativity placed in their architecture. Water flowing under romantic looking bridges throughout the city and mighty light posts throughout town. I was soaking it all in! There were brick roads leading to old churches, the palace, and random nooks throughout the city with little hidden treasures of cafes, fountains, and pastries. We went to a lookout point that overlooks the entire city! It was like a painting. The sky was incredibly blue and you could see the majority of the city. After, we went to a cafe where I had a veggie panini in the park and sat near a fountain. As we finished lunch, we then went shopping and to visit the Palace. I had coffee and a cinnamon pastry in the courtyard of the palace and got to see places where princess Victoria was recently married. I have learned little about Sweden. The pace in Sweden is so much slower, which I got to experience a little. The people here aren't rushed, legally they are allowed to go home every four hours from work to let out their pets, mothers and fathers are extended a 6 months maturity leave by the government, and they bike everywhere. I have learned they are very much about equality here. Throughout the duration of time I have spent in Sweden, I have enjoyed visiting with friends, briefly learning about their culture, and exploring. I have loved it here but on to the next! Amsterdam...Here I Come! Cheers!

 

Arriving in Stockholm...Here I go...

Stockholm

A park in Stockholm where we had lunch!

This is my Favorite picture from the day! Framer! 

The front of the Palace

From the front of the Palace overlooking Stockholm.

One of the guards in front of the Stockholms Palace

The Palace

Courtyard area where cafes and music were. 

Viking mounds with a view!

Today we biked 4miles outside of the city to where viking mounds were outside of Uppsala. I have to say, I am loving biking everywhere. Everyone travels on bikes here and it knocks my workout and traveling all in one! Yes! We ate at the cafe there and walked around looking at a near by church and the viking mounds. From the top of these mounds I was surrounded by greenery and a breath taking view. I have really enjoyed Sweden and the slow paced mindset many of them have. Later during the day after we biked back home, we went shopping. I got to visit at a couple of boutiques and their H&M. Get ready for a disappointment folks...I bought two shirts at H&M. But I needed them right? Before heading home we went and bought some of the best ice cream I have had. It was homemade in this little shop. My sister in law, Amanda, would have absolutely loved this place! They had truffles, cakes, strawberry short cakes, and ice cream. I got the gingerbread caramel! It was fantastic! Very sweet but very good! Tomorrow is my last day in Sweden and I will be visiting Stockholm.

Old 1500s bibles in the church that we visited. 

Here I am! 

Viking mounds

Yep, Thats me on one of the mound! This pic is for you Kristen Jackson!

Midsummer Holiday in Sigtuna

     Yesterday started the Midsummer Holiday. So, the country celebrates by making flowered wreaths for their heads, playing music, singing, dancing and watching the maypole be brought in the city and placed into the ground up. This, I am told, is to celebrate fertility. I have learned that many swedes eat a strawberry cake dish and have champagne. My kind of holiday for sure! I could get use to this country! Today to celebrate the holiday we packed a picnic and ate by the water in a quaint town, Sigtuna Sweden. We fed the ducks while we walked along the shore and pier. The boats, water, and hills were breath taking. Many of you know that I feel so at ease by the water, so this was a complete treat for me. The weather was perfect! Warm, sunny, breezy, and no bugs! I think my chaotic streak may be changing. Don't want to speak too soon! We wandered the city seeing an old castle, shops, an old bell tower, and then made our way to see the maypole being put up. It was a remarkable experience. I felt engulfed by their culture and sat soaking it all in. All the women had on beautiful dresses with flowered crowns. I joined in with others there and danced with them around the maypole as music played. I have to say, I felt ridiculous but it was fun! After heading home, I have just been laying low. I still haven't gotten completely use to the time change. Off to bed at 9pm. For this night owl...thats a new experience as well! Nighty night!

Old Castle we came across in Sigtuna Sweden. 

Old Bell Tower at the top on the town in Sigtuna

The Maypole put up for the Midsummer Holiday

The flowered crowns I was dying to have!! 

Bike rides and Fika

Today I woke up at 12pm. I guess I was more exhausted and jet lagged than I thought. Very grateful for the rest. Sweden is very cool and no humidity so it was so enjoyable to sleep with the window open and have the cool air come in throughout the night. Ahh! Heavenly! We had lunch and then hopped on bicycles to explore Uppsala. It is beautiful with brick pathways, lily pads, weeping willows, and quaint streams! We biked through the city stopping at the Domkykan church, the peasant church, parks, the university house, and the pink palace. It was a beautiful day and we biked everywhere. This evening we had a swedish meal and have been having fun catching up. The Masks have been awesome hosts! We have plans later this week to explore Stockholm and go to a few coffee shops that many Swedes go to fika at. Fika was explained to me as a roughly a 2 hour break in the day where you will just hang out with people and grab coffee. I love this idea! Why doesn't America take this on. Will keep you posted on fika! Coffee is awesome here! More to come...

Domkykan Church

The pink Palace

Love random nooks like this!

Domkykan Church from the Pink Palace

Domkykan Church

Overview from the Pink Palace hill top. 

Me with the Mask Family.

Beautiful Park we stopped at. 

Up Up and Away!

The journey has begun! Finally. It hasn't been easy to get myself here and without the help of my family and friends I am not sure I would be at this point at all. Most of you know in the last 2 weeks my life has been complete chaos. With the events of graduating, having to move out of my house of 3 years, totaling my car, and coordinating travels; life hasn't been a piece of cake lately. Monday I had plans to take my time and get final errands done before leaving for my summer in Europe. You know, the essentials, buy snacks for the bus and an eye brow wax. With my car packed with my luggage (hopefully under 50lbs), a dog to drop off, and last minute moving items those plans were quickly tossed out the window starting with a flat tire while in my rental. Needless to say the tears began along with the continued chaos. I finally got details panned out where my friend Christina could pick up my dog and my sister in law, Amanda, came to taxi me around for last minute items. I was then left with kisses, hugs, and prayers at the megabus station. Yes, this trip involves a mega bus to Orlando to catch my flight to Sweden, Amsterdam, take the train to Paris, and then Burgundy France for the rest of the summer. So, back to the megabus! Lets be real for a second. If anything made me nervous it was the bus. Lets venture down memory lane...When I was younger my older brother had to take a greyhound to VA for thanksgiving. Yes, this was his choice but I won't get into that. He had an awful experience of smells and passengers getting sick on his ride. So with that being said, I was feeling a little edgy about the bus ride alone but it wasn't near as bad as I thought! I met some interesting people, got to ride on the top of a double decker, very clean, did not get  car sick, and my body finally got to relax. I was finally headed to Orlando to stay with the Cunninhams until my flight Tuesday evening. When I arrived is was pouring down rain! Jen came and swooped up myself and my luggage. We got to hang out talking with beers for the rest of the night. The rest of my time with their family was just what I longed for. Very refreshing! Good conversations, wonderful meals, last minute prep, playing, and cuddling with her precious 5 boys. So I made it on the plane and survived the 9hr flight with the help of movies and larsbars! I am now in the Frankfurt airport trying to conquer my 7hr lay over. I am adjusting really well with the time change considering how much I love my sleep! Sweden in my next stop where I will get to visit with good friends from college for a few days. My adventure awaits for me and the chaos is behind me...wheres the wine?

Getting Dropped off at the MegaBus Station!

Here We Go!