Varberg, Sweden

Mom and I rolled into our final visiting destination about an hour early, but that didn’t seem to foil our reunion with the Johansson family. I actually have visited Varberg, Sweden before so at this point I wasn’t exploring uncharted territory. But this fact brought a slight hint of relief, I was glad to be somewhere relatively familiar. Despite the crumby weather, our hearts were filled with joy and excitement, catching up on the latest and taking mom on a slight tour through Varberg. We dropped our suitcases off at a colleague of Lars’s (Ivar’s father) apartment, where we would be spending the duration of our stay, (It was so nice of the Roswells to allow mom and I to stay in their apartment which was empty at the time. They were on vacation in America). We re-fueled with lunch at Sophia and Lasse’s (Ivar’s Sister and her boyfriend’s) apartment which was handily close to our apartment then walked back to our place and spent some much needed down-time. I have never taken naps, I am not the kind of person who is normally tired during the day but let me tell you. The down times we had saved my life, I didn’t realize how much sleep I have lost on this journey so far! After a much needed rest mom and I ventured out on the town and went on a grocery run, mainly stocking up on delicious food for breakfast and other little snacks. We were invited to have dinner at the Johansson household, where we ate very delicious lasagna. Past the point of satiation.. we decided to go on a walk. It was still drizzling outside but that is what umbrellas were made for! We took a short stroll around Varberg, then we were dropped off at our apartment and had a good night’s sleep. (Except for the occasional arousal due to cackling sea gulls)

We woke up the next morning ready for a day full of fun from a farm! We all got in the car and made our way into the deep woods to visit the Johansson family farm and forest. On the way out, we stopped by Oostroo farms, a cute sheep farm turned into a tourist attraction. (This place gave my mother many ideas about how to draw people into coming out to our farm haha) You can go on a sheep safari, buy any kind of thing imaginable made out of wool, pet and touch sheep and highland cattle, eat at a café, and several fun things like that. Once we had our fill of tourism, we drove the rest of the way to their family farm. Upon arrival, we met up with Sofia and Lasse, and we all heading into the woods and scavenged through looking for a tasty golden treat, chanterelle mushrooms. The forests are simply breath-taking. When you try to picture these forests, simply think of the beautiful, lush, moss-covered forests in fairy tales. At least, that’s how I would describe them. Luckily, we found a bucket full of mushrooms, so we were able to feast when we returned to the farmhouse. Ivar’s mother fried them up in butter, and we all got to taste these scrumptious delicacies! We drove home after our excursion and got to have more down time before we went out on the town. Later that evening, we were picked up and walked to dinner at a buen Italian restaurant. We were sort of afraid that there wouldn’t be any tables open because this was the same weekend as a once-a-year celebration of classic American cars and the city of Varberg was packed with people from all over. But once again we lucked out and got right in and ate. After dinner we toured around Varberg. Of course we went to go and see the parade of old cars going up and down the main street. They were hysterical. All of the drivers were trying too hard to be American. Their vision of America was slightly askew though. Multiple cars were adorned with the Confederate flag and other things of that nature. There was much drinking and much stupidity, but it made a hell of a parade. Those cars drove back and forth for two days. Imagine the cost of gas! We figured that these people must have to have been saving for the whole year to be able to afford to party that hard. This weekend celebration called Wheels and Wings brought in tons of people from all over, and it probably wasn’t the safest of weekends to be visiting Varberg. We watched the spectacle for a while, then we walked down to the seaside. We decided to grab a drink at a bar and listened to some live music. It was fun, and we were there for a long time, then we headed back up to Sofia and Lasse’s apartment where it was a little warmer to spend time talking together. We ended up playing the funniest prank I have ever pulled. Sofia and Lasse’s apartment is right above an ATM and bus stop. We first thought of this idea when there were some loud and obnoxious people underneath their window. Ivar pulled out the didgeridoo and stuck it right out of the window and blew it at them. The funny thing was that they didn’t even realize that it was there. It became a game, who would notice the didgeridoo? How would they react? When drunken people would walk by their window, Ivar would get out his didgeridoo and we would all clap and laugh. It was a lot of fun. Eventually we did retire but that was so funny. How random!

The next day was BEAUTIFUL. We woke up and walked around the market that had constructed what seemed like overnight and took over the center of town. I bought a pair of fluffy Swedish wool slippers. They are soft and I figure they’re an essential for enduring the harsh Swedish winter. (haha) This was the day we decided to tour the famous Varberg fortress. We had fikka at the quaint café they have there, then Lasse, Ivar, Mom, and I went inside the fortress and viewed the museum they have inside. It is a pretty interesting little museum, they have the remnants from a man who was murdered and put in a pete bog from the.. 1300’s I believe! He still had his hair and the clothes were all in tack! After touring the museum part we joined in on an acting tour. It was neat for us to see but it was mostly meant to get the little children interested. The actors showed us around and had skits the showed us around the whole fortress. That night, Ivar’s mother, father, my mother, Ivar, and I went on a sea-side picnic. We used a one-time grill, and we ate sausages. It was a wonderful dinner, with breath-taking scenery and plenty of opportunities to people-watch. It was starting to get a little chilly, so we all headed back to our apartment. Sofia and Lasse met us there and they were all so kind to stay until midnight, and singing happy birthday to me once the new day started.

We decided to go to Goteborg on my 18^th birthday. To our slight misfortune, it was a rainy day but that didn’t stop us from having fun! We toured around Goteborg, did some shopping, bought candy, saw as much as we could with the rain, and then drove back home. The Johanssons are so kind to me! They took us to John’s Place, a terrific restaurant on the seashore. We all ordered something different. I ordered an alcoholic cider (didn’t even get carded) and ostrich. Ivar got kangaroo, mom got lamb, Lars got veal, and Asa got a pork chop. We all enjoyed our meals, I got to put a dollar up on their wall (the only one I saw up there among the collection of foreign currencies mind you.) all and all it was a great time. After dinner we went to Sofia and Lasses where we watched the final minutes of the Girl’s Soccer championships, watched America’s defeat! (Japan deserved it though. They needed something good) Once again the Johansson’s are so nice to me! They had a pink princess torta with my name and age on it. Not only was it scrumptious but it was also adorable. I was very happy to have the family feel when celebrating my birthday.

The last day also turned out to be gorgeous. We took our bikes and did a tour around Varberg and it's surrounding areas. Our first stop was at Ivar's mormor and morfar's home. We played Kubb, ( a game that is somewhat similar to horseshoes, but it is played with wooden figures instead) and had fikka, (Swedish tea time). His grandparents are so nice, I was very happy to see them again. Hopefully the next time I see them I will be able to communicate more with my strengthened skills in Swedish. We continued our bike tour of Varberg towards the shoreline, then along the coast past a pretty light house, sunbathers, a spa, and the fortress. It was such a nice day out that Ivar and mom decided to take a swim, the only reason why I got out of it was because I didn't pack my swimsuit in the small suitcase I brought. (whoops) After their swim, the three musketeers (Ivar, Mom, and I) were invited to a traditional Swedish Crayfish feast (again, so nice of the Johansson family because it's not really the season for crayfish feasts yet). We had crayfish, shrimp, cheese pie, crackers, cheese, wine, cider, and shnapps. And when I say shnapps, don't think about the sweet american kind. The Swedish shnapps are more.. vodka. STRONG to say the least. It is a true Swedish treasure to participate in a Crayfish feast, so if you ever get the chance, please have one. We biked home after having a delicious dessert and that concludes our time in Varberg.

Mom and I's journey comes closer to it's end, but my adventure being an a pair in Sweden draws nearer and nearer with every move I make and every train I take. Our last stop together was in Copenhagen. We spent one night there, then I bid her adieu at the airport, and as I am typing this I am on the ferry to Gotland to continue my Swedish adventure.