Watch out world!

Toronto airport- can’t believe I’m already off starting my new adventure as an international college student at Lund Univeristy. I don’t know what happened to this summer, it flew by so quickly!

For those of you who had followed my blog last year, I have decided to keep up with my writings. I found out that I really do enjoy writing, and I figure that even if I’m not traveling as much as my blog desires- I am still going to be experiencing many new and exciting things over the year and I’d love to keep you all updated. Thanks to all who showed their appreciation for my blog. It really means a lot to me!

For new readers, let me catch you up on a few things. My name is Corianna and I graduated from high school in the spring of 2011. Instead of following the traditional route for an American student of going straight to college after high school, I decided to take a year abroad to work as an au pair for a family in Helsingborg, Sweden. Of course I took a few online courses from a university back home but my main focus last year was to live abroad and really find myself and find out my direction. You can read previous blogs for more information of my adventures then but a long story short is that whist over in Sverige I found Lund University, and absolutely fell in love with it. I applied for a bachelor program in Development Studies, and after much stress and uncertainty got accepted!

So here I am, in Toronto airport waiting for my next flight to Copenhagen.

Before I get ahead of myself, I can fill you in a little about my fantastic summer at home sweet home.

I recall that my first two weeks back home seemed like a month. I was doing so many things, from going to the Sangamon county fair and attending concerts to reuniting with everyone I hadn’t seen for a year.  I was so jet-lagged and I also was very pale… compared to everyone else! We’ve been having a warm summer back home, a historic drought even! The first days back I got so sunburnt you could have put on a bib and served me with butter!

Things kept active as I drove up North with my family to visit our cousins in one of my favorite places in the world, on the shores of Lake Superior. Being in nature and on the Lake is truly an amazing thing. We went kayaking and biking, and genuinely had a great time.

Things got even more exciting when my mother and I drove up to Chicago to pick up my ‘sister’ from Holland, Vera. I had re-united with her last summer in Europe, and now it was time for her to come back to the home where she spent her exchange-year as a student.

Soon after, our family drove down to Florida to visit my Grandma and catch some rays on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We spent a week there and were happily joined by my Aunt and Uncle, and I was so happy to be able to see everyone while I was back in the states!

Of course because of the heat it was difficult to do everything outside like we’d normally do, but that lead to other projects, such as totally cleaning out my family’s home and re-organizing a whole room. Because of a wonderful idea our t.v. room is now a plush, deluxe home theater.

I got enough delicious food, we hit all of my favorites and more! And the surprising thing is that even though I was eating ‘Horrible American Food’ in real American quantities, I lost weight! Goes to show that the American diet doesn’t wholly amount to obesity!

Along with getting dressed up in my cowgirl duds, riding my horse, going on a few bike rides, and really just living my life on our family farm- I had a wonderful visit back for these past few months. Wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world!

I ended my trip by welcoming in the newest exchange student, Andre from Sweden. Welcome to our home, and have a great time!

I finished this blog right in time. Now boarding passengers to the flight to Copenhagen!

Fill you in with the latest next week.

Cori 

Conclusions

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". 

That was the mindset I kept at the very beginning of this blog. I had no clue what those thousand miles would bring but only that I must keep on walking and enjoy every second of it. 


I began writing this blog while I had time to spare in Copenhagen. 

Here I am in Kastrup airport waiting outside terminal C28 for my flight that leaves in an hour. Call me crazy but I’m actually enjoying sitting and waiting here on this comfy black futon. I’m faced looking out so I can observe all the activities of the air field. Actually the reason why I mention what I’m looking at on the somewhat boring scene is that I saw a guy on a bicycle riding as fast as he could down the runway … if I didn’t know any better I would think that he was trying to fly his bike! Other than the lunatic on the bike, everything seems to be kind of normal. Guys in bright green vests preparing stuff before my plane arrives, little baggage trains zipping by, the sky is also a little average, pretty cloudy but with a little glimmer of blue barely showing through the coverage.

The last few days have been filled with reminiscing thoughts for me. I took a walk with fox down the first trail that I went on in Maria Park just before I left. I remember getting out in the country and the fields and just taking a huge breath of relief. I felt so comforted by just that feeling of space, and as I walked fox I thought about how much I have adapted to the crowded suburban life… and I actually kind of like it! Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be a farm girl but it has been really nice living in the city.

My plane has arrived. It’s blue and has a big Canadian leaf on it. Pretty soon I guess that they’ll open my gate so I can walk in and wait some more. That’s the thing about travelling. Even though you’re going so far and doing so many things there is so much waiting involved… but I love it.

During the drive down to the train station this morning I really took the time to look out the window and by doing this I recalled the first time I saw those beautiful streets. I was so amazed with the architecture and the small streets and now of course I am still appreciative but the town of Helsingborg has really grown on me… it truly feels like a second home now.

It really is amazing how by just living in a new place for a year so many new things come into your life. I never thought I would have made as many good friends as I did, I never would have fathomed the thought of actually studying in Sweden, having romances, becoming so close with my au pair family, going to Paris and Tenerife, traveling all over at least the southern part of Sweden, (too bad I didn’t make it to Stockholm BUT I will be back so that city won’t escape the wandering eyes of Cori Bowman!) and really everything that took up my time for this whole year! It has been a year and I have spent that time learning more about myself and what I can do than I ever could have doing anything else. I am so happy that I proved to myself that living abroad is something that I enjoy doing, this was a vital experiment for my future so now let the doors of opportunity fly open!

Speaking of flying, my plane is getting a ton of food delivered onto it… yummmmmy! Alright, before my battery goes out I’m going to stop this rambling and get ready to go out on my next adventure. NEXT STOP, TORONTO.

Unfortunately in Toronto my computer died so I was unable to keep up the live-stream blogging technique. I can’t even describe how great it feels to be home. I’ve been busier than a bee but I’m also as happy as can be. I’m so happy to be surrounded by friends and loved ones, I just can’t get enough. I’ve already got my country-girl back on; I’m going to my second country music concert tonight at the Sangamon County Fair, so fun!

I guess things that I am noticing the most about home right now is how laid back and easy life feels. Maybe it’s just because it’s how I grew up but everything seems so simple and dreamy here. Of course I am keeping busy but it’s just the feeling that goes through this area- take it easy. Who wants to be stressed out and hectic on warm lazy summer days like these anyway?

Well my friends, this is my final entry for this blog. It has been a hell of a year, and I thank you very much for joining me in my adventures and supporting my blog. I am undecided if I will continue writing next fall, but for now I'm going to keep enjoying my summer days at home. 

Thanks to all! 

The Last Weekend

Well, here it is. The few days which have been looming at the end of my calendar for almost a year now. I started a countdown 100 days ago, and here I am on the final digits of my journey!

This weekend being the last is also of course one of the most special weekends here in Helsingborg. This weekend was the mark of the end and a new beginning for many Swedish “seniors” as they graduated from their gymnasiums (high schools). Swedish graduation is MUCH different than the American high school graduation that I experienced.

Around two o’clock I met up with Alicia downtown so we could watch the graduates do their famous runs out of .. not necessarily a school but out of a nice building when they are announced. It was completely pouring down rain but this didn’t put a damper on the newly graduated student’s good moods at all. They had their cute sailor’s hats on and they came running out to meet up with their friends and families who were holding up signs with their names and baby pictures on them, and ready to give gifts of flower necklaces and champagne. Graduation is certainly not a sober thing for Swedes! Next the students are put on decorated trailers pulled by tractors and huge trucks and parade around downtown blowing whistles, dancing to music; it was great to experience a Swedish graduation… even in the pouring rain!

The next blog I write will be from my room back in good ol’ Illinios. I’ll take these next few days to think about all of the highlights from my year abroad and hopefully try to wrap up all of the emotions that are running through me at the end of this journey.

I leave from Copenhagen around 12pm and fly to Toronto, where I catch the next flight to Chicago and then from Chicago I fly into Springfield! It will indeed be a long day of travelling but I know when I arrive in the airport in Springfield I’ll be greeted by the most marvelous people on earth, and also greeted by the comforting feeling of home! 

"Nothing is so awesomely unfamiliar as the familiar that discloses itself at the end of a journey"

-Cynthia Ozick

10 Days

The wind and rain slapped me across the face as I stepped off the bus in Helsingborg and began walking around downtown waiting for my companions to arrive. I looked out at the water and saw huge ferocious waves billowing by and crashing against the harbors and the ferries teetering their ways to and from Denmark. I met up with Caylie in a party-store to put our birthday surprise for Erik in motion. We stocked up with a bunch of festive things, including a piñata and then ran out of the store to try and meet up with Caylie’s Mom to stash our party supplies in her car before Erik could find us and see what we had.

After a successful rendezvous we met up with Erik at the train station and then the three of us went up the stairs to the ferry entrance and bought our tickets to Denmark. Even on a cloudy day like that, it’s fun to do a little adventuring. We decided to go outside onto the front deck during our passage, where the wind was in full-force and the waves were spraying up and splashing everything left uncovered. Between the wind and the boat rocking it was pretty difficult to stand in one place. It’s amazing how alive the whole ordeal made me feel. We were cackling every time the boat rocked or the wind picked up and blew us around and even when we saw the crash of the waves spray up and the water come flinging towards us. I can begin to understand how so many sailors fell in love with the sea. I can only imagine the rush of being on a ship in the middle of the ocean during a huge storm.

That night Caylie and I showed up at Eriks with only some supplies for dinner in our hands, and everything else hidden in the car. We made him go and meet our other friend Magnus at the bus stop and as soon as he left Caylie and I started giggling like little kids and sprinted down to the car and grabbed our goodies, then rushed back up to Erik’s apartment to put Plan-Party in motion.  We got out the party hats, noise makers, balloons, hung the piñata, and got the cake out. When Erik came in he was greeted to quite a sight! 

I can officially start my 10 day countdown! I’ve already started packing and organizing some things for my trip home. The thoughts are unreal when I think about this whole year that has gone by and the fact that I’m going home so soon now. Everything that has happened… and now there are only 10 days left! Crazy! 

Sunny Inspirations

It amazes me how much the sun has an impact on how I spend my days. This past week has been blazing with rays (or sort of) and with that I have been spending as much time out in it as possible. I have found the perfect ‘schedule’ for my in-between work hours which before had me feeling like I was wasting time sitting around waiting inside or checking facebook, watching t.v., etc. I send the girls off to school, clean everything up, walk fox, then run to the gym, run back home, pack a lunch, grab fox and walk down the nature trails to the beach, spend some time lounging, then head up to pick up the girls and finish the rest of my day. I wish I could have started this system earlier but as I recall it was a bit too chilly and dark for that not so long ago… 

I headed to Malmo this Friday to turn in my work permit extension application, and to also ask some questions and such. It was a beautiful day of course and I woke up early to make sure I would have plenty of time to make it to the Migrationsverket and wait through potential lines so I could talk to someone. Once I reached the office I was relived to find that I would not have to wait in any lines, for I was one of the first people there. I had all of my paperwork in a folder and I walked up to a man who was behind the counter and I showed him my paperwork and began asking him my (very rehearsed) questions in Swedish about my permit but he just saw the application and wouldn’t hear anything that I had to say and he simply said ‘Put your permit in the box. Now you can go home.’ I was so angry, I didn’t know if I was supposed to write down certain numbers in boxes that I didn’t know what they meant, I didn’t know if I had to pay a fee or if I did how much… all he had to do was tell me! So I went back into the line and then as soon as it was my turn to talk to him again he just pointed at the box and told me again, ‘Put your permit in the box.’ So helpful! I’m glad I woke up early and went all the way to Malmo for the short time and no help from this man. But! On the brighter side of things I love traveling no matter what the cause is, and I saw some pretty amazing things on my walk to and from the Migration office such as a group of kayakers going along the canals of the city, and a beautiful church that was seemingly hidden through a cluster of magnificent trees.   

I believe I’ve mentioned before how I always meet the most interesting people on buses. Tonight I was coming home from hanging out with my friends, Caylie and Erik, and like almost every other night I get on the green bus that takes me almost straight home and plop myself in the front seat, making myself open for conversation with the driver. At this time of night I’m almost always the only person on the bus so it’s fun to be able to talk to the driver and find out their ‘story’. 

Tonight’s man was an older gentleman named Henrik. He is a Swede who has been to America several times and also to Chicago, (which is where I told him I was from). As we were talking along we spoke about several things, what I’m doing here, how I like it here, oh yes- Sweden is a great country… And when he was done grilling me with questions he changed back to his memories from the past. I couldn’t see his face when he was talking to me but I’m sure he was smiling and had a look of distant thought thrown upon his face when he told me about the time he took a greyhound bus all the way from New York City to Long Beach California in 1972 then bought a Mustang Bullitt and drove up the ocean highway then back across the country to New York. I can only imagine how great of a time he really had back in 1972… Sadly my stop came up so I had to bid Henrik adieu. I love learning people’s stories. Some of them really are an inspiration. 

Summer Is So Close, We Can Feel It!

This was a nice long weekend for me, since Swedes celebrate Ascension Day as a public holiday the weekend started on Wednesday! I spent this lovely break out in the country at Caylie's house. 

These beautiful golden fields behind us that you must be noticing are rapeseed flower fields. They are strewn across the countryside and are completely breathtaking! I keep thinking about the yellow-brick road from the Wizard of Oz, that is the color that shines from these plants. 

These past few days have been filled with time spent with friends. It's always great to be with everyone and it's even better now that it's warm and we can barbecue and sit outside and just relax.  

 We have had a few gorgeous days this past week. Today it was actually warm enough to go outside with just a t-shirt and shorts and not worry about bringing a jacket! It's funny how that thought even crosses my mind this time of year, but apparently this is almost record-breaking temperatures for May in Sweden.

Pretty soon I can start my twenty day countdown, the end of this stay seems to be speeding up to greet me. Twenty days will fly by in no time! I am very comforted in knowing that I am coming back next year, so this doesn't seem like such a final goodbye. That being said, I can't wait to go home!!

One Month

Here it is. One month exactly until I take my flight from Copenhagen and end up back home in America!

Honestly I didn't feel like it had been that long until now. Now that I know that I only have 31 days left I'm ready to just speed through them for my long-awaited reunion with my folks back home. But judging by the way that this year has flown by, I know that my wait won't be too long and I know that I should and will keep enjoying myself all the way up until the last day.

This weekend we all decided to take it relatively easy because the last few weeks have been filled with event after event. On our blustery Friday afternoon my friends and I decided that it had been too long since the last time we hopped the ferry over to Helsingor, Denmark so indeed that’s what we did. During the crossing over we climbed up to the top deck to get the best view of the approaching Danish shoreline, and were met by a fierce wind that nearly blew us over the edge of the deck!  We spent our 15 minutes laughing and trying to stand up against the wind, nearly freezing our faces off... it was a good time.

Today was an absolutely gorgeous sunny day. I brought my camera out and decided to go on a walk to Sofiero castle; but little did I know what I would run into:

 Yes, it was an amazing day full of surprises! As soon as I arrived to Sofiero, I was greeted by a car show that was being held right in front of the castle! It was really neat to see all of the cars in that atmosphere, either the old cars placed in front of the beautiful castle or the newer cars with the sparking water in the background... even for someone who isn't so interested in car models it was very fun to witness. Sofiero castle is also known for it's exquisite rhododendrons and intricate gardens, I was in heaven walking around them and viewing all of the beautiful plants and smelling the lovely floral fragrances. 

On the way back from this spectacle I decided to cut through a grassy field instead of taking the paved way home. I was walking through looking up at a few airplanes that were buzzing just above me and looked back down to see a deer laying in the grass only 20 meters away from me. At first it was just trying to hide and I didn't want to spook it but once I pulled out my camera it jumped up and started to walk away. I was really happy to see that! It looks a lot different than the deer back home.

All and all, it was a very nice weekend, and a gorgeous day. 

'Till next time

Sounds of Music

This week seemed incredibly short. This was probably due to the fact that my work week started on Wednesday but still, time really does fly.

This week also happened to be my finals week for the online classes that I’ve been taking so now I’m officially done with those, and that feels great!

The first half of this week was so beautiful, warm, and sunny that I was at a shock when the clouds rolled in on Friday and the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit. But this of course didn’t stop my friends and I from having a good time! We have been waiting for this weekend for months now because on Saturday, we attended a Skrillex concert in Copenhagen.

But don’t let me get ahead of myself. On Friday we decided to go and do a little pre-Skrillex celebrating. The culture center of Helsingborg was having its own celebration for the 10 year anniversary and there were different local bands playing outside so we could walk around and listen to them. It is so wonderful how supportive Swedes are of the arts.

Dunkers Kulturhus

To my complete joy, Discoteka Yugostyle was playing at The Tivoli and we went in there to enjoy the very unique band and danced the night away. The different musicians on stage made me feel like it was a high-school band gone wild with their Eastern-European sound and their club beats, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

The next day I slept in pretty late so I had to hurry up and get myself ready to travel to Copenhagen. I packed my bag and rushed down to the train station to hop on the same train that Caylie was taking to Lund. Once we got to Lund, dropped off our stuff, and met up with her brother and his friend, we all headed to Copenhagen together!

The location of the Skrillex concert wasn’t too far away from the train station and we arrived with plenty of time to spare so we walked around the streets of Copenhagen and really just relaxed until it was time to get in line for the show! 

Once we got past the incredibly strict security guys I got my first glimpse inside the Forum of Copenhagen. It was an enormous room with a stage on the far left and already tons of people were squeezing their way closer and closer to where the artists would perform. We put our coats away and then headed over to the mob to get our starting spots, although later on I figured out that even if we started out seemingly on the outside of this crowd, eventually when the music would start our bodies would be pushed, shoved, and thrown about enough to get anywhere in that auditorium.

I have never been to anything like this before. There were some parts of the concert where I was completely trapped between people and I couldn’t move and then the whole crowd would push forward then backward, side to side, and there were mosh pits that you had to make sure to avoid if you didn’t want to get pushed around even more and really I was overwhelmed. It was the craziest crowd I have ever had the privilege to stand in. 

Two consecutive event-filled weekends, so fun! Recently my life has been filled with the sounds of music, and all different sorts for that matter! 

More next week, 

Cori

Valborg

Sun, music, dancing, drinking, friends, and huge student celebrations; that, my friends, is what Valborg is all about!

I started my day off at 7:00 a.m. packing things up and getting myself ready for the long day ahead of me. I had my gina tricot bag stuffed with a towel to sit on and some beers, put my cowgirl boots on, and then I was ready to go! I caught the bus down to the train station and was already amazed by all the students congregating to the platform that would take us to Lund. As I was waiting for the train to arrive, I bumped into Martin which was really nice and we waited together and combined our excitement for the events to come! Thankfully I had him there with me because apparently if you aren’t quick enough to get onto the train, there is the possibility that you may be shoved off by others who are very eager to get themselves to Lund as soon as possible.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day to spend outside. Even at nine in the morning it was warm enough for a t-shirt and shorts, the sun was out and there was a pleasantly cool breeze to keep fresh air on your face. It was truly the nicest day of the year so far! After Martin and I split our ways at the train station- I wandered my way around taking in every piece of the scene. There were an innumerable amount of students walking by…I have honestly never felt as much like a college student as I did during Valborg.

My next step after being flabbergasted by the sheer number of people funneling towards the main park where the celebration was being held was to find Caylie and our spot in the crowd that we could sort of deem as camp. I joined the wave of party animals and rode the current down cute little streets and through different gated areas and past booming music until I finally reached the park. There were so many people in one area trying to find their buddies that cell phone service was not being reliable but thankfully I found who I was looking for. Our next step was to pinpoint our camp-mark which was a doll’s head on a stick, (very disturbing but easy to spot in a crowd). We set our stuff down and grabbed some beers and the party was on! Loud music, thousands of students jumping up and down and having a great time, and the sun roasting our very deprived skin; here are some videos to try and allow you to fathom the aura of it all.

I figure we remained in the park for roughly six hours before we moseyed on to our next event. We joined some friends at a barbeque and after that we were basically fried from earlier so we took it easy for the rest of the day. 

Today we woke up with smiles on our faces to another gorgeous day. I was extremely happy to have received a text from my boss telling me that I had the day off, and quickly concluded that we should do something fun with my day of freedom. Not being able to put in my contacts- and wearing the same clothes as the day before, (fresh) I blindly made my way to the train station with my friends to spend a wonderful time in the awesome city of Malmo. Caylie and I decided that we should take the bus to Lund Centralen instead of making the 20 minute walk and of course that decision led us to something hilarious. As the first green bus to pass by pulled up to the stop, we saw that it was an old-styled short bus that was labeled “Not in traffic”. Thinking that there was something wrong with the sign we climbed on very naïvely believing that all busses would pass by the train station eventually. The first turn brought a look of concern and confusion to Caylie’s face. Obviously since I didn’t have my contacts in I was blind to the world and didn’t notice that anything was wrong but Caylie knew that we were going some strange way and she had no idea where this bus was taking us. We passed down some small random streets and suddenly we were traveling our way on a dirt road through a park… off-roading on a city bus; can it get any more random? After a few more odd streets and picking up old people at a nursing home, we finally decided to abort the crazy bus and eventually found the train station. 

Joining two more friends we took the short ride and found ourselves walking around the magnificent streets of Malmo. Caylie and I kept diving into cute little souvenir shops and giggled as we heard the gasps of annoyance from our fellow companions. We decided to grab a late lunch and an early dinner at one of our favorite restaurants there- T.G.I Fridays. Taking much advantage over the free refills and indulging in delectable food we thoroughly enjoyed our marvelous day.

Back in Helsingborg, we ran over to the area where they had set up a few carnival rides but unfortunately did not arrive in time to be able to ride them. We watched as the Carnie’s swiftly pack up their things, it amazes me how quickly they can tear everything down and be packed up to leave. It was about 8 o’clock pm and the sun was starting to set so we wandered down a pier and sat down to watch the beautiful show of lights.

All and all- I had the most amazing two days I’ve had in a long time. Gotta love Valborg! 

Images of Spring

I decided to bring a camera along with me on my excursions out running and also on horseback. Here are some images that I believe best represent what I'm seeing as Spring here in Helsingborg. 

First of all.... Flowers 

                       

Unfortunately I have yet to encounter a moose here, but I have found these little critters scampering around in the forests. If you can see, they differ a little from the red squirrels we have at home- I love the hairy ears!

Overlooking to Denmark- both while riding and running

 Running through parks and along the seashore on my way to pick up Mira from school is becoming a daily routine... as long as the sun is out!

The famous white flowers that I've been talking about for a long time have finally began their fine carpet along the forest floor. I love it!

Well, this weekend I went on a journey with my friends to a town called Karlskrona to visit another friend  who is going to school there. I was so happy to be seeing new things and traveling around again, that's something that will always fill me with joy! We stayed overnight and then headed back to our side of Sweden and spent the night in Lund, which is always a good time. 

Many exciting things coming up in the next few weeks! Next week- Valborg. 

59 Days

The countdown is on! At this point in my adventure I am thoroughly looking forward to coming home and reuniting with my family and my friends. Although of course I am enjoying myself tremendously here in Sweden, I still am excited to go back home and catch up with everyone.

I can’t believe how quickly this year is going by! I have always heard how life goes by faster and faster as you get older- but this is ridiculous! It does not feel like it’s been 11 months, but when I read back on all of the things I’ve done with this time I realize it really has been that long.

While I’m sitting here typing this blog- the little girl Mira is playing the whole star-wars theme song on her cello… so cute. I still really appreciate her presence in the house because it fills that hole that would be left from having my little brother Wells around. Call me a sucker but I love those kids! Of course it’s quite a bit different having a little brother than a little sister- instead of getting shot at by fake guns and arrows I’m helping with hair and nail polish but whatever the case it’s fun to be around their energy.

I’m still keeping up the running- now when I go through the woods I am surrounded by a blanket of white flowers. It’s so beautiful, I’ll have to put up a picture of that later! 

It's funny to see how Swedes respond to weather changes clothing-wise. I remember noticing this last fall, it's hard to find a balance for some people- you can see people walking around with t-shirts and jeans and if you glance to the other side of the street you will see others who are wearing their warmest winter jackets!

Also- after being reprimanded by friends for calling korv "bratwurst" in an earlier blog I will now correct myself. There are all types of korv. Korv is a general term for sausage. I'm sorry for those who were offended by my translation!

'Till next time

Glad Påsk!

Happy Easter! Or as they say in Sweden, Glad Påsk!

I've mentioned a few times before how highly celebrated Spring is when it comes back around here to Sverige, and Easter is yet another extension of Swede's embracing this season.   

I honestly didn't expect Easter to be that big of a deal here in Sweden, or at least I didn't expect more of a difference from the typical candy-day and painted eggs. I was thoroughly and happily surprised that my predictions were wrong. 

I was riding the bus into town when I noticed several huge baskets that were spewing with color. I wasn't sure what they were but the beauty of it brought a smile to my face. Swedes certainly don't hesitate to bring out the light and the happiness from their holiday celebrations! As I got a closer look at these constructions of color, I soon found out that they were branches from trees or bushes decorated at the tip with different colors of feathers. I have done a little research as to where this bunch of feathery sticks idea came from- and there are several theories. Either it is meant to symbolize a broom that will wipe away winter, to symbolize a witch's broom and the feathers to induce flight, or more religiously symbolize the suffering of Jesus. 

Not only were there these massive collections of branches scattered across town, but smaller and simpler versions adorned almost every shop and home. 

One thing that is very new to me is that Swedes relate Easter with witches. I found this information about them on TIME Magazine's website-

"In Sweden and parts of Finland, a mini-Halloween takes place on either the Thursday or Saturday before Easter. Little girls dress up in rags and old clothes, too-big skirts and shawls and go door to door with a copper kettle looking for treats.

The tradition is said to come from the old belief that witches would fly to a German mountain the Thursday before Easter to cavort with Satan. On their way back, Swedes would light fires to scare them away, a practice honored today by the bonfires and fireworks across the land in the days leading up to Sunday."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1889922_1890008_1889927,00.html #ixzz1rZoHF8TM

Unfortunately no little witches came and asked us for candy so I didn't get to experience this part of Easter- but I hear that is a common thing to happen here. 

Swedes have four days to celebrate Easter. Good Friday and all the way through until the Monday after Easter. Most Swedes have some kind of Easter dinner on Saturday- but this year my family decided to pick up the American tradition and have a nice Easter brunch with friends on Sunday. 

Our brunch had three courses; first we started off with the delicious homemade herring, cheese and hard bread, the deviled eggs that I made, and some schnapps, (I still can't get over how funny it is to have such strong liquor and drinking songs invited at the holiday tables!). 

Then we moved onto the main courses- we had a choice of either moose meat or salmon, potatoes, and several other mouth-watering dishes. Eventually our brunch concluded with a lemon pie and ice cream topped with a yellow Marshmellow Peep that I got from home. It was a very nice meal. 

The funny thing is that since the Monday after Easter is also considered part of the holiday weekend, many go out on the town on Sunday because they can rest all day Monday! Many were out in Helsingborg this year especially because our local soccer team had won a game. 

All and all, a Swedish Easter was a fun thing to experience. I'd have to say that all holidays abroad are especially unique and interesting- and I'm so happy that I'm able to experience this first-hand.