Exploring the nation(s)

The last week or so has been full of exploration of the Swedish and Danish "nations".


Following the visit from Phil & Jo, I had a week of field trips for one of my Urban Geography papers.  

First off was Copenhagen. Love love love that place. Had a walking tour for most of the day with one of the locals (one of my lecturers). So exciting to FINALLY be there after hearing so much about it over the years, particularly in terms of urban development. Such a neat mix of architecture. Highlight was the lunch from the (second) best bakery in Denmark and eating it by the canal. Crazy situ actually - saw Garth Ellingham from New Zealand at the train station randomly! He ran down the stationary train to get my attention as I was walking past & we were able to have a thirty second conversation before his doors closed and he was off to Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden. Couldn't believe it! Also managed to have a wee look at the shops that afternoon, although a bit put off by the horrendously high prices! 

Photos 

Next on the cards was Landskrona with my good mate Olf, our 80 year old lecturer. Bit of a hole really. That was actually the point of the visit - to see how the town has been negatively affected by globalisation and post-industrialisation. Highlight was the free Landskrona book given to us at the Town Centre. Really nice book! Was also fun visiting the ancient tombs hidden in the fields of Skane and the old fishing town on the western coast of Sweden! Photos (first half of the album)

The third day of field trips was to the castles/manors in the Skane region. The castles aren't as elaborate here as in places like England, but still quite neat that they are still present. They own a lot of the land in the lower part of Sweden. One of the castles we planned to go inside ended up being closed because a film was being shot - apparently lots of famous Swedish actors were part of the cast!
Photos (first part of the album)

The nations we visited at night were quite a lot different to those listed above. Instead of hopping on the bus, we hopped on our bikes. Sydskanska, my student nation was the first visit. We ate yummy Lasagne, drank milkshakes (and wine) and listened to great music at their Thursday Retroar night.  Such a great vibe. Hallands nation called us on the Friday night. Enjoyed some wine, reading the old books lining the bookshelves and commenting on Swedish fashion at the pub. The dance floor in the club area called us in our joyous state. 

Aside from nations, we got amongst the sport here at Lund. After getting a free ticket from one of the First Division Handball players in the Lund team (and getting his number haha!) I convinced a few of the others to watch the game with me that Sunday night. Thoroughly enjoyed it - such an active and exciting game to watch! Photos (you may have to search for them)




Enjoyed a game of Volleyball with fellow Swedes and Exchangers in the Tunaholan; something I'm going to keep up while I'm here. Even though I was the worst by far, it was still so fun to be playing sport again! The gym Gerdahallen which I have been going to, although the biggest & best in Sweden, just isn't quite the same (especially the Afro classes that I decided to try out - so so so strange). 


All in all a fun week! Better get back to my 6,000 word take home exam. Its a shame it wont write itself!