Silly Stockholm, Chocolate is for Puckos

Okay, time for a more comprehensive post.

I wish I had more time in Olso, I didnt even get to see the Viking Museum! But what I did see was beautiful, the mountains reminded Eric and I of Colorado. The weather was very mild during the day, but could get rather chilly at night. Which really feels like day here.

Although I am a terror to travel with, I am glad Eric is here because I am getting quite homesick, and I cant even find a payphone which will take my card to call my family and Jenn! The care package my mom sent with eric was very nice. It screamed "I love you" with the M&Ms and pants I asked for and whispered "Stay regular" with the anti-diarrhea pills I did not ask for. Thanks, Mom.

The conference in Göteborg was very good for me, I have a lot of ideas about school and the direction I want my life to go in. I am now thinking sexologist/researcher for a while, then settle down into therapist when I am ready to commit to a place for more then 3 years. Though, after a couple days, I found myself exhausted by the conference so I played hooky and went to the harbor with Eric and our new friend Alex (A Suisse girl who was in the bunk bed below me and also attending the conference). We layed out on the boulders and watched the Swedes (some topless, but not many) bask in the sun and timidly try out the cold, cold water.

We did go out one night, which resulted in meeting some very interesting locals. George, an Aussie staying in our hostel had arranged to meet with a girl from couchsurfers who ended up being very nice, but Alex and I sat with a group of local guys because Anna's (the couchsurfer) table was full. I spoke in a British accent because it was easier for Swedish Eric to understand and she therapized Ludwig, who had anger managment issues which were prominantly displayed when he tried to fight a guy just for approaching our table to ask Alex and I where we were from.

On the train to Stockholm, Eric slept and I looked out at the lush scenery, interrupted every so often by a lake crowded with Swedish people. Mathias met us at the train station and I was so excited to see him. 2 years ago he was a roommate of my then-boyfriend, Keith, in Gainesville. Very often I would take Mathias out grocery shopping with us and I would cook him dinner (which was admittedly awful). So to see him again after so long was very nice.

We bought bus tickets, headed to his stuio flat and after some home made raspberry lemonade we set out for a picnic in the park. We were not the only ones with this idea, I think because the winter is so harsh, Swedish people just love to be outdoors in the summer. There was no event, but the park was as crowded as if there was an outdoor concert or something.

We went to city hall, a scenic route along the river, and we laughed about Swedish art that spotted the landscape. Then Mathias bought us all the weird things Swedes eat, like tubed caviar.

The night train to Berlin was booked for the next three days, so once again I had to begrudgingly return to the bed of Ryanair. We fly to Berlin at 6:30am Sunday morning, which means we have to catch a bus at 3:45am. Yeck. Then we will either spend the day and night in berlin, or go straight to Prague. Which is my preference, but it depends on if the hostel has an opening.

This morning after a very weird Swedish brekkie, Mathias headed off to work and Eric and I were supposed to head into the city, but he conked out. I will let the poor boy sleep for now. This afternoon promises the old boat museum and maybe old town Stockholm.

xxx

All Sexed Out

The flight to Oslo went very smoothly, I much prefer Norwegian Airlines to Ryanair. Eric found me after minimal confusion, we found our out-of-the-city hostel, bought food, and relaxed.

Then the next day we headed into the conference (out of town also, but on the other side), checked in, then wandered the city a bit. We saw an opera house that is reminiscent of Sydney, a couple okay parks, the super sweet harbor, and an old fortress grounds. But I think our favorite views were from the mountain where the conference was held.

A reception at the city hall had us feeling all fancy, and I was twitterpated with all the open-minded and unique people at the conference. My favorite part was when I went to the bathroom and someone came out of the mens room, held the door open for me and said "Your choice." Second favorite part? Either all the cool things I learned, or the mounds of delicious food.

Now we are in Goteborg for another sex conference, and today I met members of the AASECT. I know that whatever I do in my life, I want to be promoting sexual health and education. I feel so at home with these people and I get so passionate at the symposiums. It just feels right. I am so happy right now. I didnt realize how much I missed academia.

But sleep is lacking, the sun only goes down for a couple hours up here. And I am busy busy busy (which is why I dont post). Cant believe I have less than a month left on this trip!!!

I will try and be better at posting, truly.

Hamburgers in Copenhagen

Somehow, I managed to find Nina amoungs all the other tall, gorgeous blondes in the Hamburg train station and she took me around the city before heading home for steak, potatoes, and corn. And Baileys and ice cream. I have great affection for this girl.

The next morning, we woke up and ran out of the house (after delicious breakfast including egg salad on rolls) and showed up at the handball tournament in plenty of time. I actually quite like handball, though it is very much a contact sport. It is basically soccer with your hands, but you can assault the person with the ball. When the guys play, it is just BOOM, and the person is down, but the girls do more of a grappling which seems like it would inflict more pain. You can take 3 steps while holding the ball, then you need to dribble or pass. And they put some sort of sticky substance on the ball which I made the mistake of touching. Nina played in 3 games, the first two they won (I think) and the last one they were dominated.

Then she dropped me off at home while she went out for more. I was going to go out to the Reeperbahn and party, but it was cold and I didnt want to go out alone really, so I slept in until the Fishmarkt. 5 AM the bands start up and I found a great couple from South Africa to chat up. Then I danced with a fiesty old Deutsch lady and a drunk bum. 3 euro Sex on the Beaches at 5am from a dispenser feels like magic to me. Around 7AM I headed to the house to pack up, start the dishwasher, and head to Denmark.

On the train I met Jose from Madrid and we exchanged music and he taught me Espanol. Then I got into Copenhagen, got confused by the currency, and got yelled at by a bus driver. Another bus driver let me ride for free, then my hostel ended up being really cool, so it was an okay day.

This morning I woke up, headed into town and really fell in love with the city. The Italian Quarter is full of edgy shops and people, the center had a sign exhibition up of funny signs from all over the world, and the real story of the little mermaid broke my heart. Then I met Stefan from Austria who helped me find the hippie emcampment of Christianhavn, brought me to a place to eat smorrebord, and walked around some gardens with me. Hopefully Eric and I can meet up with him in Wien.

So my last day alone was excellent and tomorrow I meet up with Eric after a flight to Norway. A new adventure begins!

Remember Berlin

After another motorcycle tour and a few caves and a walk of Tubingen, I met Moni's  daughter and caught a train to Heidelberg, where I met Kathy from  Hong Kong. We went for a walk and bought some pasta and sausage, which seemed like a good idea until the sausage started melting in the pot! Turns out it was some sort of meat paste. Oops. the next day we rented bikes and went to an INCREDIBLE park with crazy rides and intelligent water routes. Look at my pictures in a couple weeks and you will see what i mean. We went back into the old town when it was open and had a picnic and ice cream, then I napped and read until dinner and drinks with two canadians, and Aussie and two guys from mexico. Their views on America were very interesting.

Hopped a train to Berlin and found my hostel, which is very nice but far from the city, in the woods which are rampant with wild boars! I started and finished The da Vinci Code, which reminded me of all the things I saw in Paris. A good book. Went to a beer garden with a guy from NY and a guy from Deutschland. the next morning i went on a free tour and learned a lot about the city, but loved the memorials the most. They were all so tastefully done and i was moved by each one. the berlin wall was not such a big deal, nor was Checkpoint Charlie. Today I tried for an alternative tour with a couple Irish guys and a brother and sister from the US, but we were too late and I provoked a homeless guy (told him I was traveling with a backpack and asked him for money in return for his pleas) and ended up leaving my umbrella behind rather than return to his curses.

I gave them a pretty close tour to the one I received yesterday, surprised at how much info I retained. I cannot wait to come back with eric, to try out the amazing nightlife and do the things i didnt have time for this visit. Like the reightstag, alternative tour, and book burning memorial at night.

Tomorrow to nina and hamburg!

Ja, ja.

The train ride into Reutlingen was one of the more challenging I have had in a while because I was coming into a little town. So there were few English speakers to help and not all the stops were posted, but I arrived to Uncle Stefan with no problems and minimal stress on my part. I have really gotten the hang of this train thing.

Stefan whisked me away to meet Moni at their favorite restaurant, which has a gorgeous view from the porch. I had delicious Craotian food, because I am not going to make it into that country. And I simply must eat cuisine from all of Europe before I go back to the states.

Stefan and Moni have been so good to me, I just want to tattoo "Danke!" onto my forehead so they know how grateful I am. They have a lovely home, and set up a room for me complete with towels, a phone with flat-rate to the US, a computer, "Do Not Disturb" signs, and a Cosmo magizine telling me how to have great sex. They must think I need to have more fun on this trip. Moni is one of the best women I have ever known. She snatches my laundry, tells me I am "hardly welcome" (when she means heartily) in her home, and treats me like a daughter. I feel so loved and so at home and I liebe liebe liebe them.

Yesterday Stefan made eggs (medium boiled in a machine that is made for only that purpose, how cool is that?), bought bread, and fish. You eat the eggs out of the shell and the fish on the bread and it is delicious. Jenns Oma and Opa cooked like this for breakfast, but I had forgotten how good it was. Ich liebe Deutschland. The deutch also have so many contraptions. In addition to the egg boiler, they have things to tear the top of the eggs. One is a weight that you drop on top of a semi-sphere, one is a knife, and one is a tool that Stefan calls a "woman tool" because it makes men cringe to see it.

Stefan took me on a motorcycle tour of the area, and it rained a little, but was never really uncomfortable. We went to the Lichtenstein castle, but were 10 minutes late. So we had a cappicino and enjoyed the view at the restaurant. Then we had dinner, spargel (asperagus), potatoes, fried eggs (placed on top) and sauce. Delish. Then we went into the city and enjoyed the open air concerts. Saturdays the shops stay open late and everyone in the city comes to stroll around, eat sugar-coated almonds and other goodies from the sales-carts, see everyone else, and some people actually shop. Moni likes a store called "Haus" which they say has nothing you actually NEED, like most stores in America. The band, The Friendly Elf, was quite good and we rocked out. Apparently about 80% of Deutsch bands sing in English. But they greet the crowd in Deutsch. But tell them to clap in English. Once I know German, I wonder if I will be able to distinguish the two or if I wont even think about it.

Today I will have another German breakfast, perhaps motorbike with Stefan to a cave, or Tubelingen, and then leave my new family and head to Hiedleberg. It will break my little Deutsch girl heart, but the trip must go on!

Kiß kiß kiß

Unflip the leden, out flop the hosen

Salzburg was great and even though Will and Jordy didn't get to meet up with me, Jordy gave me a call and a tip about Mozart chocolate. The park was gorgeous and had some fun dwarfish statues, old Salzburg was the only place I have had a desire for a horse driven carriage ride (though I did not give in). I also had strawberry strudel, so now I have to have apple and cheese strudel when I go to Vienna. And schnitzel. Just when I thought I was safe from "Ciao, Bella"s, the owner of the cafe ended up being Sicilian and grabbed my camera to take pictures of the two of us together. Oh well.

Back in Munich I met Esther, Mark, and Tim from London and we went to a great beer hall where I had sausage and sauerkraut. Not my favorite, I ate leftovers this morning for breakfast. But I gave it a go. However, my asparagus soup was lovely. We had a couple more drinks at the hostel then went out to another bar. It is possible to have fun in Munich without drinking beer. But I do feel like I was missing out.

This morning I caught the free tour of Munich and I really do like the city. It was also interesting to hear about all the (mostly Nazi related) history. I didn't make it to Dachau, but I will for sure be back, if not just for Oktoberfest. But I could see myself living here. I was sold when I was caught looking at a group of punk kids (my age, really) who had cool hair and I thought they would never accept a normal looking girl like me, and then they started up conversation. I wonder if Berlin will impress me more. It really just matters which has the best uni for me (I am thinking of studying my PhD here) and actually, I would probably prefer to live close to a big city, but in a smaller village where English is not heard as often as Deutsch. However, Munich's position in Europe is a turn on, it is more central than Berlin.

It is funny that I am now assessing the cities I visit as places I would want to live or not.

A couple hours and I will be in some small city in south Deutschland visiting Jenn's uncle Stephan. I am so excited to be in a smaller city and to be visiting family, because that is what I consider Jenn and hers.

Congrats to all the FWBHS grads of yesterday, in particular my brother. Love you, proud of you.

The hills are alive with the sound of cars

Genoa was a nice place to decompress, not much there but I made a friend from germany, Antja, who went with me on a quest for tiramisu. It isnt as common as one would think in Italy. I saw a stall in the bathroom with a showerhead, but it also had a hole in the ground and reminded me of pictures mom had brought back of toilets in Turkey. So I decided not to hop right in and asked. Thank goodness. It WAS a toilet, NOT a shower. If I had decided to be wildly open-minded, as is my nature, I would have been in for an incredibly unrefeshing experience.

The next day I headed to Interlaken, which is apparently the extreme sports center of the world. Canyoning, sky diving, paragliding, hangliding. I would have loved to participate, but Visa decided that someone had stolen my card and went to Europe. They were only two months late in catching it. I had fondue with a group of guys from Michigan, it seems like everyone in Interlaken was visiting from Michigan. The hostel was called the Lazy Faulken Backpackers hostel and was also hosts for couchsurfers and a hotel and a bar. Loved it.

I went to an Indian food market and couldnt find any meat, the sales clerk discerned the origin of my not complete satisfaction and went down the street and underground to bring me a huge hunk of frozen "lamb flesh." Even though it was huge, I bought it because of all his trouble and have had some delicious sandwiches and I attract new friends when I am cooking.

The scenic train through Switzerland was panaramic and I sat next to a couple from South Africa and an older man from Switzerland who spoke every language fluently, except English. So we chatted in Espanol.

Then on the train from Zurich to Munich, I saw a guy with a backpack and since it was a long train ride (5.5 hours) I decided to be obnoxious and speak to him. Turns out he lives in Munich and studies in Luzurn and just happens to prefer travelling with a backpack, even when he isnt "backpacking." We talked for 5 hours straight.

Robert is ill with pnuemonia, so he cant show me around Munich as I had hoped and the guys I know in Salzburg are no where to be found, so I will strike out on my own.

I cant believe it is boiling in Italy and rather chilly here (Salzburg more tha Munich). Though I am walking around in sandals and shorts and am obviously not a local. I still think I will give skinny-dipping in the river a try in Munich, but I will be chilly the next couple hours walking around the hills of Salzburg.