Lund: week one

I bought a bike! & raced all around town to my Swedish language classes...

 Her name is Petal... I've already fallen off her.

I went to a crayfish party!

We teared them apart & sung random Swedish songs...

I went to IKEA in Malmo with Terry and Will!

...and re-decorated my room!


I've had a good week!!

To the land of frugality, functionality & style.

Hej hej!


Next destination: Lund University. Stop it. As I was looking at the departure board at the Berlin Hauptbanhof (Main train station) early Friday morning, I had to think twice about where I was heading. Having wanted to go here for SO long, I could not believe that when i next hopped off the train I would be stepping foot into Sweden - the land of frugality, functionality and style. Many people have asked me "why Sweden?". I would answer them generically with somethingalong these lines:

1. I LOVE everything Scandinavian especially their design including architecture, interior, furniture and clothing design. Simple, functional yet incredibly stylish. Even their language is stylish and interesting.

2. Wanted  to travel around Europe my whole life, so it's a great base.

3. They speak English fluently.

4. Sweden is a beautiful country - with a lot of water and greenery, much like New Zealand.


5. I want to learn about their business environment (they are a very wealthy & successful country),  comprehensive welfare system and social factors (high taxes), recycling & sustainable living initiatives and their urban design (including transportation & networks).

6. I have always wanted to experience a small-town University experience. Lund is a small town 40 mins from Copenhagen, Denmark and 20mins from the 3rd largest city in Sweden - Malmo. Lund has 100,000 people and half of them are university students. Lund has a history spanning 1,000 years and the university spanning 400. There are cobblestone streets. Love. Just a bit different from the pretty dull and impersonal experience of Auckland Uni. 


7. I'm blonde, tall and have blue eyes. Pretty much Swedish anyway.


8. Being so far away (and with a different/cold climate in Winter) I know I will be challenged. I want that. I'm craving the complete independence. Plus a white Christmas is a bit of a treat.


9. I want to find a Swedish husband.

After two days of being in this beautiful place, I am more excited than EVER about the above factors that drew me to this country. I feel so at home here, so inspired and so free to be me. It is an absolute privilege and blessing to be here. Can't wait to explore.

It's not all happiness and sunshine though. Arrived here and it was RAINING. Beautiful. Walked to tourist office then International Housing Office who gave me my keys to my room in Parentesen. Block C, room 115 to be precise. Learnt very quickly that cobblestone streets are pretty, but not always practical. Pulling bags along is fairly difficult. Very attention-drawing too. Got to room, struggled with the keys and finally got inside. Room is right next to the front door and opposite the DISGUSTING kitchen and equally as disgusting showers (of which I am sharing). I have my own room which is a decent size and my own toilet. Room smells pretty strange. Opened all the windows so I could actually breathe. Set up internet and voila I'm connected to the world again. Terry from NZ came and visited - SO good to see a familiar face and share stories about our travels so far! 

Slept a lot that night under my giraffe duvet that one of the past occupiers of my room left me. Pretty much the greatest piece of design I have ever seen. Even have a retro floral pillow case to (not) match. Embracing the fact they are free though! Woop! 

Spent yesterday at the local fruit and vege market and supermarket trying to work out the labels and the exchange rate (50 Swedish Krona divided by 5 = $10 NZD... Got it). Getting a bit confused after having to work out conversion from Pound, Euro, Swiss Frank, Czech money, Danish Krona and finally Swedish Krona. Bought a bright yellow pot plant too. Love how the usually mundane tasks are now the most fun. Went out with some of the exchange students last night - first to the massive park by me to play some random and cheesy getting-to-know-you games and then heading to Lund Nation which was actually fairly average for the price paid to get in. Nonetheless I met some great people - namely Will from France and Olaf from Germany. Plus I loved observing the incredible fashion and how every single guy here loves their hair gel (think: Grease). Oh plus I met my korridor mates. Lovely Swedish people who were equally as disgusted with the kitchen (they just moved in too). Looking forward to tackling the mess together and bonding in the process.

So here I am. Another long sleep, some lengthy but great Skype calls and catching up with blog. Still in PJs and loving it. 

Next on list:

1. Buy a bike. A real cheap, character-filled bike. It will get stolen at some stage, but at least I'm contributing to the bike kitty and then I can steal one. Everyone has bikes here. 


2. Go to Malmo on free bus to get some interior goodies & stationery from IKEA and some warm clothing from H&M.


3. Buy a phone.


4. Have a shower. Have to amp myself up for this one. 


5. Read rest of book of james in bible.

6.  Have an early night, so I'm ready for the big week/s ahead! Intro day tomorrow (when all the other exchange students arrive and the fun & games begin). 
7. Get off the computer.

Hope you are all keeping well and happy. Embrace the present - it's the best way to live. It is a true present. Photos will go up soon once I have some!

Sändande du älska från Lund. ie. Sending you much love from Lund.

Praha and Berlin revisited

Prague, with all it's captivating beauty has called me again. Bright and early on Monday morning I trained from Nina's house in Stanheim to the city of Munich and on to Prague. Train ride spent editing photos. Arrived late arvo, waited around in McD's for Charlotte Nicklin, a good friend from the Baradene school days, who like myself had travelled from a far flung area on a 7 hour train ride. Looking like zombies we walked down the main street to our hostel - Prague Square Hostel, situated literally next to the main square of Prague. After wearily climbing the stairs to our room on floor 3 we sat on the window-sill overlooking our beautiful courtyard, catching up on the last 3 years!!! 

After a few hours passed, our roomies arrived: Marlon and Enrico from Venice. Quite possibly the coolest roomies! We all decided to go out that evening, first getting traditional Czech food in a place that could have advertised as being a sauna, then headed into a club. Got some YUM and very cheap Mojito's and hit the d-floor. Fun with our Italian boys - stuck in the sand move my fave. Facials included. Not so fun when they went outside for 10mins and we were swarmed by about 10 other Italian boys who were physically parting Charlotte and I. Luckily Enrico and Marlon came to the rescue and we left. Headed back to our hostel, via the big chair in the main square providing us at least half an hours worth of entertainment.

The next morning our domestic tendencies came to the surface as doing our washing was first on the list of things to do. After all that was done and good coffee complimented good conversation, we joined in on a "free" walking tour of the city. One of the most under-rated churches in Prague that we went into had an arm dangling from the roof! OK! After tour walked up by castle which had been built over 800 years so the architecture was different throughout - tres cool. View from up there was breath-taking. Ended up busking by the main Charles Bridge with some guys from Holland and Italy we met on tour before being politely removed by the police. Oops. Sung some more in the park by the water then headed to the same club as last night. Afterwards ended up playing guitar and singing throughout the streets of Prague, picking up a bit of a crowd as we went. When we finally sat down by our hostel we had a group of about 20 or so sitting down singing their hearts out to Wonderwall and other such classics. People who had apartments around where we were sitting were opening their windows, taking photos and joining in on the renditions. Brilliant. 

Went "quietly" back to hostel, tip-toeing up the stairs before Charlotte & Marlon had a fight in the hallway to see who could get the key in the door first. Couldn't stand it was so funny. They boys then proceeded to play their new Xylophones upon entering the room. 

Prague in one word was FUN. Click the word 'fun' to see the fun that defines fun.

Berlin the next day. Managed to catch the right train but failed completely on giving directions to our new friend Marijn from Holland who was to catch it with us. St Christopher's Hostel on Rosa Luxemburg Platz in Berlin was pretty sterile compared to our one in Prague with pretty sterile people too. Met up with Marijn later and walked a couple of hours past the Brandenburg gates, the history museums, and the massive Tiergarden park, to the upmarket suburb of Chalottenburg. Great D&Ms on the way. Met up with Chris Lorenz, a true Berliner who I know through sailing. He took us to 'NU' for some Asian-infused food. Truly delicious. Nice to have a bit of a treat, particularly with such great company. 

A walking tour was first on the cards the next morning. Lovely that it coincided with the hottest day recorded for the summer! Tour lasted for about 4-5 hours. Went to the same places as before, but even better hearing about it for the second time. Loved the rich history infused with the graffiti art&emerging culture. Lay in the park by the river with Char and Marijn afterwards. Got yum raspberries at Hackescher Markt and cheap & fun goodies (including make-up) at the supermarket. Revisited the Hackescher area that evening, eating and drinking cocktails at a very "Good Choice" with fun swinging chairs. Unfortch Char and Marijn were not feeling so well so just tried to relax. Said my goodbyes to Charlotte. Such a beautiful girl and too much fun. Marijn was not so well on way back to hostel (i moved to his one because no room at Chris's. 30 bed dorm!) and sick all night sadly. Supposed to come to Copenhagen with me the next morning, but too unwell and spent day bed-ridden. Not nice at all for him. Sad for me too to miss out on an otherwise fun train ride with him. Nevertheless I trouped on. Hamburg, Copenhagen, Malmo and lastly Lund were to get a visit from me over the course of the day! The long long day...

P.S Marijn has been very unwell for the last couple of years. Check out Marijn's incredible songs he composed during this time here 

Definitely a week to remember. The company, good conversations, the incredible places, the genuine fun. Michelle = content. 

Berlin photos HERE. 

Rest up love

Relaxation was the big word of the week... I was very happy to spend some time with my gorgeous Jenna - a german friend who i met and got to know about five years ago at two 420 sailing world championships in Korea and France. Got up at 5am to say a quick (and hard) goodbye to James who was pretty much still asleep of course and left for the train station. Don't know how I did but managed to get a train to Stansted airport in time for my 8am flight to Munich. From here trained to Stuttgart, arriving mid afternoon @ the hauptbanhof. The week was spent relaxing at Jenna's cute apartment in Stanheim, sleeping in the most comfortable bed and eating YUM Bavarian food. Plus my sniffle didn't want to leave me, so Jenna ensured I drank a lot of tea. Camomile & honey. 

Jenna is an intern at Porsche, so went out a few times with her Porsche friends who were such great conversationalists and equally as hospitable & friendly as Jenna esp. you Alex! Visited the Porsche museum. Architecture/design was incredible - both the building & the cars. Freddy Porsche, you are a legend. Thank you for creating my dream car. Now can you discount them by about 80%? 

On the friday night went to the centre of Stuttgart, getting taken up one of the mountains enjoying typical Bavarian food, beer & the view of course, then going to some bars and having the most delicious cocktails I've ever tasted. One was watermelon mixed with something else that was out-of-this-world-divine. Went to a g-star bar, then ended up people watching & having great convo's about life, design & cities with Lukas. Now got a friend to stay with in Hamburg!! 

Saturday, after a delish brunch, Jenna & I, both a bit worse for wear (bit of a theme!), drove to Munich - to where she has grown up, in Starnberg. The arvo was spent relaxing at her yacht club on the Starnberger See (Lake) with her school friends. VERY wealthy yacht club - basically every car parked outside was a Porsche, Beamer, Mercedes, Mini Couper or Audi. Basically did the same the next day, although we ventured into the city that morning. Not much to the centre of Munich except some cute markets, the main cathedral building and the surfers in the middle of the city!! OK a bit strange! Click here to see the video!! Stayed the night at Nina's (a friend of Jenna's i met in Australia a few years back) who took good care of me. Good sleep ready for a very full and exciting week ahead!!


For the full set of photos from Stuttgart & Munich, click your mousey mouse HERE

Postcard diaries - Part 2

28 & 29 July: Verona & Venice/Venezia

Drove to Verona. Setting/inspiration of tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet. Saw balcony and famous woman statue, then on road again to Venice. Past the Apenine Mountains, Tuscany.

Goodbye Romeo and Juliet, hello or buongiorno the love of my life Venice! As my Lonely Planet guide says, this city with it's canals, little walking avenues, hundreds of little bridges connecting the 117 small islands and Venetian masks is truly an enchanting place. After getting dropped by bus in Piazzale Roma, Allira guided us all to St Mark Square, home of the St Marks Basilica - portraying Byzantine architecture at its best with a lot of Middle Eastern influence. On the way we crossed the famous Rialto Bridge, crossing the main canal. Walked along Promenade with my sun umbrella and a jumping yet very content heart, marveling at the colourful architecture and enjoying being by real water again. Went to lace demonstration and got a bit carried away with purchases in the shop.

Went on Gondola ride which was lovely. That arvo got lost in streets - something recommended by anyone who has been. Just got bus back in time after running down canal then in front of the bus so that it let me on!

Back to campsite for a swim and Toga party that night! Met lovely girl Caro from Columbia and talked by the pool for a couple of hours about faith and relationships. Have to add that I danced on tables again in my toga (sheet) outfit. Brilliant.




V&V photos here


30th & 31st July: Vienna/Wien, Austria
Intro to the more grungey (but very cool grunge) Eastern-ish side of Europe. PHOTOS

Sights of the day:
Schonbrunn and Hoffburg Palaces. Beautiful gardens, statues, buildings and even Zoos!

The Museum Quarter, specifically The Leopald Museum. Modern and Contemporary art work previously privately owned by Rudolf & Elisabeth Leopald. Featuring the likes of Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Anton Kolig and interior design/furniture including Art Nouveau and Wiener Wekstatte furniture.


The Lomo shop in the MQ with Kate and Woody. Love love LOVE. Want a HOLGA. Right. Now.


Cute little Bauhaus cafe.


Schnapps Museum. Three shots of Butterscotch, Hazelnut and the special one with gold in it went down well! Wasn't quite game for the chilli one...


1st August: Munich, Germany & Mauthausen concentration camp
Travelled to Munich via Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. Stopped to reflect on the horrors of WW2 at what was the largest concentration camp in the German-controlled Europe. It was one of the last to be liberated by the Western Allies or Soviet Union. Labelled a "grade three" camp ie. the toughest. Fascinating and horrific history and even more fascinating to actually be there and stand where so many innocent people died. Walked down the stairs of death - so bizarre because it is actually such a beautiful place and extremely hard to imagine what it would have been like 60 odd years ago. Not so beautiful.

Arriving in Munich, capital of Bavaria was a bit of a relief after such a chilling yet humbling experience. Walked around the city via Marienplatz, Church of our Lady, the Glockenspiel and the old Town Hall before hitting the Hauptbrahaus where litres of beer consumed and many sausages & pretzels eaten. There was even a traditional Oompah band. Bit cute.
(the end to the night was interesting though... poor James drank a bit too much (i.e FOUR jugs) and needed carrying home. He was fine though don't worry - I made sure he was put in the recovery position and he was out like a light. The next morning he was up 6am SHARP rearing for the day ahead...typical)


Photos


2nd & 3rd August: Prague/Praha, Czech Republic:

Praha: the city of a thousand spires. The city, the golden city, has to be one of my favourites to date. Situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia and capital of Czech Republic. A city with such recent history with the Wenceslas Square having housed Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution.

Such varied and well-maintained buildings with architecture ranging from Art Nouveau, Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo-classical and Ultra modern.


PHOTOS

It's got a bit of everything - a gorgeous river with views either side, hills (on which the Hradcany Castle sits), cheap drinks (Mojito's a big fave), great traditional food (all very hearty), great shops, gorgeous character-filled yet understated architecture, the Astronomical Clock, lovely grass areas, jazz musicians (performing on St Charles Bridge), the Old Jewish Quarter, the Powder Tower, the Tyne Church, hand made puppets, trams... even a little island in the middle of the river with Brazil nut trees (of which Dan and I discovered whilst having a wee nap on the grass)!!


On the second night at the campsite we had a pass-the-parcel game for Mike's birthday. Was pouring with rain, so the 45+ of us managed to squish in the cook tent and celebrate in absolute style. Fun being a kid again.


4th & 5th August: Berlin, Germany via Dresden, Germany

Drezzy.
800 years old. Quaint. Love the main cathedral that was re-built using the original blocks that remained after the whole place was wiped out by bombs combined with new ones. Quick stop, but long enough for a good coffee by the square with good friends ie. James, Helen, Carl, Dan & Fox.


Berlin.
"Third Reich" walking tour of the city centre this morning. Went to Brandenburg Gates, place where Hitler committed suicide, Reichstag, Ku'Dam, Victory monument, Checkpoint Charlie etc. Took a quick visit to the East Side Gallery also - love the graffiti art!! Is on the East, so the art work has been done since the fall of the Berlin Wall and they change all the time from varying artists.

Quick facts: 
1st: there were actually two Berlin walls.
2nd fact: the first "wall" was built in 57 hours! And that was the whole stretch of the wall! 57 hours!
3rd fact: the wall developed over the years so that by the end it was impossible to cross from East to West.

Berlin campsite held some fun for us. Firstly, the showers. They were brilliant. A lot of pressure. Then the punch party that night. Theme: anything but clothes. Wrapping paper, glad wrap (won't go into that one), plates (?), tea towels, rubbish bags, country flags, newspaper, masking tape, even our backpacks for goodness' sake!! That wasn't it though. Being towards the end of the trip, a prizegiving was necessary. I'm proud to say that I won "most cultured woman" (James receiving "most cultured man" among about 4 others. We were even matching!) as well as "best lylo blower". I wore my medals and held my trophies (road cone) with pride. Very hilarious night.

Take a look at the photos for a snippet of it all. HERE.


6th & 7th August: Amsterdam, Netherlands

V.similar to Prague. Love it. Very very relaxed although slightly hectic with all the cyclists pretty much owning the road. Could get seriously dominated in this place! Luckily on our bike tour we didn't visit the busy areas...

There is so much more to it than just the prostitutes (who stand in the windows and aren't as "dirty" as I suspected - another one of those bizarre things, because the scene is mixed with such beauty & character) and the "coffee shops" ie. weed providers that it is typically well known for. I felt like everyone was just totally relaxed and had great style, wearing what they wanted to wear (maybe it was the weed?!). Some fantastic shopping - quirky leather boots from Koos, a silk skirt and a sweet dress shirt thingime were purchased with much joy that day.


The place is actually sinking - so too are the houses. Funny wonkiness in the area gives it a quirky feel.

That evening was the last (tear) evening us Top Deck tour were together before the journey back to London. On the cards was a farewell dinner at a Chinese floating restaurant followed by a FUN River Cruise. Take a look at the photos and you can see the fun factor in the air.








8th August & 9th: London, England
Bus trip & ferry back to London. Pretty sombre mood held by all Top Deck members. Said our goodbyes to Rory & Ollie - two of the crew who had facilitated such a great trip for us. Hugged everyone at the Generator Hostel when back in London. James and I made our way to the Russell Square hostel where we stayed for the next two nights.

Visited Camden markets the next day with James, Fox, Dan and Johnny. Had delicious tea and explored the incredible and lively markets. A really good way to end the trip. Said goodbye to Allira also - such a great Tour Leader. Thank you!! The sunday night I felt so low though - so strange to think I was to be on my lonesome the next day.


BUT Life goes on. Just like Egyptian nights.


Photos






Highlights of Top Deck Tour

James to the left with little kids...

• James. So random, so extreme. Cannot describe. Purely just James (pictured to the left...so random). Loved the laughing fits we had. "I LOVE it" or "I just say whatever's on my mind OK" or "eewww" or "I'm going to get up at 6am SHARRRP for a swim" or "Daaanyooo!" or "they have such great fahhhshion"...
• Fox hitting a parking meter on our bike tour of Paris whilst turning round to talk to me. & the fact no one helped him up because we were all laughing so much. 
• Not putting the fly on our tent. So much more practical.
• Flapping the dishes. Such a work out. The new, cool way to dry dishes.
• Discovering Prague.
• Blowing up an air bed in Avignon.
• The Canal cruise in Amsterdam.
• The punch party in Berlin. 
• The architecture in the second half of the trip esp. (understated beauty & character)
• The graffiti art (in the second half of the trip too). Love a bit of grunge & expression.
• The wasps at every lunch break on the bus trips. Man, were they annoying.
• Discovering the meaning behind the paintings in the Vatican City.
• The bus trips and the interesting sleeping positions (as shown above)

Going past this "freedom" sign in Austria about five times and not feeling free at all. LET US OFF THE BUS.

Last but not least...Going for a swim in the freezing river in Switzerland with the boys after a trek up the mountain.

And i cannot forget the people I met! Love you guys (esp. the crew - you know who you are!!)