Sweden, Germany, Belgium

I have very good intentions of putting up photos on my blog, and everytime I go to write one, I keep telling myself that photos need to go along with the words on my page, but I decided an update with merely words was better than no update at all, so here you go!


After Stockholm I went to Kristinehamn to visit Maud, Johan, Sofia, and Josefin. They are friends of my mother and Kurt and I was excited to have the opportunity to meet the family. I had a wonderful time going to university with Sofia (English class!), visiting Karlstad, meeting their family, being treated to wonderful meals (moose!), and having the opportunity to ride their horse, Stormy (I galloped, which was a new experience for me).

I jumped west for a brief (less than 24 hour) visit to see my cousin Petter in Oslo. I hadn't gone to Oslo the last time I was in Norway, so I decided to take the long way to my next Swedish via Norway. I walked around the city, spent some time in Vigeland's park, and then met up with Petter. He showed me around the city and we had some time to chat before having a (short) night of sleep to kick off my train ride to southern Sweden.

I spent a couple of days in Hassleholm, Sweden, visiting Eva and her family. They lived in America for 12 years and went to the same church as my family while growing up. It had been a long time since any of us had seen each other, and now her girls are 12, 18, and 21. Last time I saw the youngest she was getting baptized. I was lucky enough to spend Halloween with them. I went trick or treating for the first time in years, but I have to say that Swedes really don't understand the concept. Some were confused, some didn't answer, but we had fun nonetheless. My costume was being bit by a vampire...slightly underwhelming but I got to do some zombie-esque makeup and use the clothing out of my backpack, so it all worked out. Hassleholm was my last stop in Sweden. I was lucky enough to spend over a month in Sweden, and got to visit nearly everyone I wanted to.

My next stop after Sweden was Aphoven, Germany, where I reunited with Steve! We visited his cousin Anna, her husband Tony, and their adorable children. We visited Monschau, my favorite quaint little German town, went to Cologne to see the Lindt Chocolate Museum, went to the Tri-Border, where the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany meet, and played some good rounds of Rock Band (we can't be tourists all the time). We were shown wonderful hospitality and had a great time! Always sad to leave, but we have a shortage of time left!

I am now in Belgium, visiting my former college roommate Jen. She is American but was born and raised here, about 45 minutes from Brussels. We are having a great time here. We had the chance to see St. Vincent and Grizzly Bear last night in Brussels, and will see Kings of Convenience tonight! One of my goals was to see some good concerts in Europe, and we decided to make it a point, here and now.

I cannot believe that a month from today we will be on a plane back home. Time really flies. I miss everyone and think of many of you daily.

Happy Birthday Juanita!