Denmark!! Second country in Europe!

COPENHAGEN

Last weekend, I went to Denmark with Eunice. She is from Belgium and I meet her during the welcome week. I had a great time and it was wonderful exploring the city, eating great food, and being a little bit warmer (it only snowed once and the snow quickly disappeared)! 

After classes on Thursday (Feb 21st), we went to the station and of course our train had to be delayed so we had to catch the next train to Nässjö. Then since we missed our connection to Copenhagen, so we had to go to Malmö get the next train.  And after missing three trains we made it to Denmark!!!

The hostel (Generator) we were staying at wasn't too far from the train station, but after getting a bit lost for a while we made it and we were so ready for bed! (Friday Feb 22nd) In the morning we had breakfast at the hostel and then it was time to EXPLORE the city! Our plan for the day was just to walk around and find cool things that we wanted to see and do. We saw the Rosenborg castle, the National Museum, Nyhaven, and many other amazing buildings. We also the statue of Hans C. Anderson! He is the author of some famous fairy tales. We found many places that we wanted to visit later like some antique book shops and tea cafes. For dinner, I had smørrebrød which is the traditional Danish open sandwich and it is similar to Swedish Smörgåsbord. At night it was great walking down the shopping street since various musicians would be performing. 

The Rosenborg castle

It was really close to the hostel, but I didn't get to tour inside since I always missed the times to visit...

This is the main square of the city and it is on Strøget the main shopping street. 

This is Hans Christian Anderson!

The National Museum where we learned a lot about the Vikings!

We wanted to save money so we never used the bus system, but I think walking around let us experience more of the city than if we went quickly from one place to another. We found some great places because we stumbled upon it. 

This is the famous 
Nyhaven harbor in Copenhagen! 

We went to a church that had a sign "This is not a church." It was a church that was converted to a modern art center and it was interesting to see the pieces there.

 This is Danish smørrebrød! -->

We were just wondering around and we found this market place where different stalls sold their specialty. All the food looked really good and presented in a lovely fashion. 

When we crossed the bridge to Christianshavn, we found this interactive wall that showed places in Copenhagen, maps, facts, and it took pictures! It was a lot of fun! 

(Saturday Feb 23nd) We decided to eat at the student house we past yesterday, but we were too early so we decided to find another place. We passed this really nice book cafe so we decided to try it out (Paludan Cafe). The place was beautiful and the food was amazing! Books were everywhere, candles on all the tables, and the place smelt of coffee. :) I would visit this cafe all the time if I lived there!

*sigh Breakfast will never be the same... After our hearty breakfast we visited the Round Tower nearby. When we were there the King's guards had changed soldiers and so we got to see the parade after they did the ceremony.

                                                                                      At the top of the Round Tower

 

Eunice really likes architecture so we saw numerous buildings around the city. 

The Black Diamond. This is a cultural center for artists.

The Crystal.

Eunice wanted to see the Danish Design School (she is thinking of getting her masters there), but I wasn't interested so we split up while she went to there I went to Christian's Church, Our Savior's Church, the ruins at Christiansborg Place.

 Front view of the place

Back view and where the stables are

That evening we went to a small music venue to listen to "power pop." We showed up too early so we were told to leave (after accidentally walking on the opening act practicing! oops! haha Eunice and I had to laugh at ourselves). Anyway, the artists were talented and it was fun going to my first music venue. 

(Sunday Feb 24nd) For breakfast, guess where we head to?! The same cafe we went to yesterday, but instead of the vegetarian plater we had the one with bacon, sausage, and salmon. It was so good! Anyway, after that we headed off!

(Monday Feb 25th) We went to this cute on the corner tea shop that we passed a couple of days ago. On one wall, there was at least 20 types of teas you could smell then order. I thought I was ordering a cup of tea, but I got a whole teapot! So Eunice and I just relaxed as we each finished our pot! Then we went to some book stores. I was looking for a nice book of Han Christian Anderson's fairy tales, but no such luck. But at this store I found one! I was looking at the whole section of his works, but they were all in Danish, however, I found a beautiful older book of his stories! I am starting a book collection of story books from different countries I will visit!

After shopping, we split up since I wanted to visit things Eunice already saw before. Even though I was walking I saw a lot and visited almost everything I wanted to visit before our train at 6pm.

Plans and school work

Yesterday I was talking to Janae and we were discussing our travel plans and catching up. We hung up, but a couple minutes she called again with Isabella to say that SHE IS COMING TOO! So exciting both girls are going to visit me! While I am traveling with them most of my roommates will be going to Russia during Easter break. I think Tina and I will try to go together sometime in April. 

The last couple of days have been peaceful and I've mostly been at home working on my paper for Intercultural Communication. I have another paper I need to work on for Swedish so I got to start on that, but is so hard to concentrate since from my desk I can watch the snow fall! 

I have to say I don't really like the cold and I don't think I could ever live in Sweden, but I do like the snow!

Researching information for my paper about Swedish and American relations. 

At least I have some motivation! 

Dinner with host family

Flowers I bought in Ikea when I was looking for a friend. 

This morning I went to Ikea to have breakfast with some friends since it considered now our "tradition" to eat breakfast there on Sundays. . We had a good time and we were all happy since the food is so cheap. I got eggs, potatoes, and coffee just for 15sek (2.40)! Tina and I went down stairs to get the hot chocolate at the drink counter there. I don't know if that was what the store intended for customers to do, but we are allowed unlimited refills with our cup. So I don't think it matter if it was coffee or hot chocolate we refilled with since you are also allowed unlimited refills of hot chocolate and both drinks are the same price... After that Tina and I rushed to do some shopping at Willy's before catching the bus back to the train station to get home. However, since my phone wasn't working (for some reason it hasn't been charging properly so it died) I left it at home. I told Tina that I needed to catch the train home so I could have some time to study before going to my host family and that I would have to leave her if she wasn't ready. But I rechecked the trains and noticed that I would have to re-catch the train about 30 min after I get home so I was going to let her know that she could go to Ikea for some shopping. But we didn't connect again! I waited 40 mins for her then I looked for her in Ikea three times! When I saw her again this evening she said she hurried to get all her groceries and that she also waited for me.. Of all times for my cellphone to stop working. 

Anyway, I went to the train station where my host mother picked Anja and I up. My host family lives very close to the university it took us only 5 or so minutes to get to their flat. I meet my host father and he was very nice. He was a sweet man and he was pleasant to talk to. The place was beautiful and well decorated. The walls were semi white-gray with white furniture, red and black decorations. Candles were everywhere and plants made it such a lovely little home. Everything was well coordinated and very neat. The dinner was delicious and the table settings were pretty. We had meat pie with salad for the main course, apple pie with vanilla sauce for dessert, and chocolate and coffee for fika. Don't be surprised if I get fat while I am here!

Oh! I also just booked tickets to Oslo, Norway with Hanna! This is going to be awesome!

More plans!

I am so excited! I will go to Norway in two weeks! 

I just made plans with Hanna (one of my house mates from Wales). She and I will travel by bus to Olso, the capital of Norway, we will spend 3 days there. I really wanted to travel that weekend, but no one could go with me, but at dinner time she came down and I told her my plans and she happened to be free that weekend!! (she is shadowing doctors at the hospital since she wants to become a nurse and she usually works weekends so her break was perfect!) 

As already know I will try to travel as much as I can during my time here in Europe. I really want to see as much as a can. Coming here is a dream come true and I don't want to stay stuck in my room all the time (stupid papers and exams!). There are numerous unique cultures to experience and places to visit!!! 

Some of my friends are going to Russia with Scanbalt, but it is during Easter week when Janae might come visit me... We will talk this Sunday and we will figure out the dates and if she doesn't come during that week then I will totally go to Russia! Wow Russia! 

I can't believe all the many wonderful opportunities God is giving me here! 

2am 

JANAE IS COMING and we will travel to Switzerland and Germany!!!

God is Amazing!

Today I went with Caroline to study at the university, but we first stopped at Books and Coffee to do the Culture day. It was Romania today and the food they were serving was bread with some spread (one was like potato salad and another one similar with chicken) and with peach cake. 

Then Tina came since she just finished her examination for Visual Communication. However, she was telling how horrible the test was since the professor's English was so terrible and his questions were so ambigeous that she left her test blank! Thankfully though, Sweden always allows make-up exams so she will have another chance to pass the class in March. Since it was Friday, she and I went to Guagh Zhou for the after-work dinner buffet. It was really good!!! Especially because it has been my first time to Asian food since I left America! So after all the times trying to get it I finally got my desire. The price was pretty cheap, it was 65sek ($10) for a drink and all you can eat Chinese food and Sushi! Also, including dessert and tea/coffee. My goodness I stuffed myself. :) 

But the good news is that a better trip opened up for Kiruna! So instead of missing four classes I would only miss one! I am such a nerd, but I am happy about that. Anyway, I will go to Kiruna from 8/3-15/3 (this is how Sweds write the date). Also, what is amazing is that last night I was trying to buy a bus ticket to get to the meeting location where the tour bus would pick me up, but for some reason the website wouldn't work and I even tried today, but it still didn't work... So I was prevented from getting stuck with bus tickets I couldn't get refunded for. I did buy a room in a  hostel, but I was able to cancel the reservation today without a fee! 

It is absolutely amazing how God made everything work out for me!!!! 

God is good!

I am extremely elated right now! 

As you know I am going to Copenhagen next week. I booked my tickets yesterday afternoon because it is cheaper when they are bought in advance. Anyway, that evening my friend told me that she has an infection in her mouth due to her wisdom teeth being taken out and that she may not be able to make the trip... 

So I was stuck with a ticket I couldn't get refunded for and I was really disappointed since I wanted to go with her and I didn't know of anyone else who wanted to go to Copenhagen on such short notice. However, thankfully she told me today that she would be able to go!!! (turns out there is nothing serious about her infection)

Thus, we both booked our hostel reservations at Generator. http://generatorhostels.com/en/destinations/copenhagen/

Then!!!

I really wanted to go to Kiruna, to see the ice hotel, Northern lights, go dog sledding, and see the Sami people (Indigenous people of northern Sweden). I tried booking a ticket for the school trips twice (both trips sold out before I could book) so then I tried another website for student tours. The first time I wasn't sure I could go during the tour dates so due to my indecisiveness I missed the last ticket. Then another trip opened up with better dates, but I wasn't able to pay for it since I needed some info from my mother about my credit card. Thus, by the time I got the info the last ticket was taken...

So I went back to watch the movie, Second Hand Lions, with my housemates (was totally feeling like kicking myself since I missed the trip four times now). However, by the time I came back the trip I was trying to book, REOPENED!!!!!! 

SO I AM GOING TO KIRUNA!!! :D 

http://www.scanbaltexperience.com/Lapland-Express

I do miss several class, but whatever! This is a chance of a lifetime! 

Who needs an A anyway? hehe :)

Fat Tuesday

Hello everyone! I am sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been busy writing a paper and trying to improve my Swedish! And this upcoming week is also going to keep me busy since I have another paper due soon and a test! 

Anyway, I haven't been up to much since I last wrote... I mostly was at home, but I went out a couple of times to do University stuff, shop for groceries, and meet my friends.
On Friday night,  I went out with Tina, Eunice, and Eric to Atta Glas for the after-work buffet. We originally went to a Sports restaurant with a bunch of Ania and Caroline's friends, but the place only had a salad buffet. So we decided to look around for some Asian food, but those places only had lunch buffets. Then, on Saturday I meet up with some friends and we tried out a nice restaurant called Jensens Bofhus. 

It was a nice restaurant with candles everywhere, but it was a little on the expensive side and it was a step down from Asian food. We tried looking for a good Asian restaurant with a decent lunch buffet price, but since it is the weekend the prices went up so we will have to try a third time to satisfy our Asian food cravings! 

On Sunday, I met up with Lorelie and Robin. 

This time we went to Sofia Church. It is a beautiful building of Neo Gothic architecture. It is located in the middle of the city and I pass it every time I go to class. It is an Lutheran church that was built in 1888 and it is one of the oldest churches in Sweden. It is part of the Church of Sweden (Svenska Kyrkan) which was founded by Gustav 1 in 1527. 

Here is more information. Just copy and put into google translator.

http://www.svenskakyrkanjonkoping.se/kyrkor/rubrik_kyrkor_frame.asp?mapp=sofia&sida=info&rub=sofia_rubb

Jonkoping is actually called, "The Jerusalem of Sweden," since there are a great number of churches here from all different faiths. Which is interesting since I hear from many Swedes (especially my professor) that Sweds don't really talk about religion since mostly they are atheists. 

After the service the church gave out some selma and coffee so we had a fika. Robin tried to teach us some Swedish words, but Lorelie and I have a long way to go...

Today 

I presented my paper during my Swedish culture class. The Swedish school system likes to emphasis group work and discussion. So in Swedish fashion, my professor split us into small groups for us to share and discuss our papers. My paper compared the stories of Pippi Longstocking and Little Orphan Annie. I discussed the similar theme of child independence, challenging social rules, and female empowerment. Before I came here I didn't know that Pippi was a Swedish story so I was happy to learn that I had some previous Swedish exposure. 

After classes I meet up with Eunice at Books and Coffee on campus to discuss our trip! 

I AM GOING TO GO TO COPENHAGEN NEXT WEEK! :D 

I am extremely excited! We are going to leave on the 21st and come back on the 25th. I just booked my ticket and soon I will book my room at Copenhagen Downtown Hostel. 

http://copenhagendowntown.com/en/hjem/

A little bit about Sweden

Today is called Fettisdagen/Semmeldagen which is translated to Fat Tuesday. 

http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/11/classic-scandinavia-celebrate-fat-tuesday-with-swedish-semlor/

Today is the last day before Lent and so traditionally the Sweds would stuff themselves with Selma on this day before they had to fast for Ash Wednesday. 

Thus, today Books and Coffee (it is the place for hanging out on campus) had semla available. 

Of course I had to have some!