Italy

Do you know that feeling? You know that one you have when you have been waiting almost 23 years for something to happen, say go on a very special trip, and now as you sit on the bus, travelling the last stretch home, it all seems a little unreal? My trip to Italy was so perfect that it almost seems like it was a dream and a big part of me is sad that it had to end.

“Why are you always smiling?” Davide asked me as we stood outside Zia Teresa’s front door waiting for the ‘very big’ lift.

“Because I’m always happy!” Was my simple answer.

This was the simple answer, but in truth there were two reasons. The first was that I always had this big smile on my face because I had no idea what everyone was talking about and trust me in Italy they are always talking! The smile seemed to be the simplest way for me to hide my total confusion without looking too silly, but looking back it now seems it might have made me look a little “crazy” as Davide would say.

The second is that I really was happy all the time. From the moment I was greeted at the airport I was fed, pampered, fed, taken sightseeing, fed,  taken shopping, fed, introduced to practically everyone related to me and oh did I mention there was food involved?

If you did not already realise it I had a lot to eat. Every day at lunch there were 5 course meals to be enjoyed. I ate antipasti’s, pasta, fish, meat, lasagne, traditional Molfetta seafood dishes, fruit, nuts, cakes, sweets, chocolates, red wine, liquors and of course coffee. Espresso’s and Latte’s like you have never tasted before. I even ate Taralli’s, a delicious Italian biscuit that I last ate almost five years ago! I ate so many of these doughnut shaped biscuits I was in real danger of becoming doughnut shaped. Now that I think about it I am a little bit more round...

When I wasn’t eating I was sightseeing. The south of Italy is beautiful with its old white stoned fishing towns, rocky coastline, hectare upon hectare of olive orchids and vineyards. I had some amazing walks through old towns, like Molfetta, Trani and Giovinazzo, that at night come alive with activity. There are throngs of people everywhere just walking, talking, shopping and of course eating. I also visited an 17^th century gun powder factory, in the amazing setting of a sink hole, and Castle del Monte, a curiously built castle on a hill from which you can practically see forever in all directions.

Another highlight was getting to meet so many of my relative and trust me there are a lot. From aunts, uncles, great aunts and cousins both big and small. On the Saturday night Zia Teresa hosted a ‘little’ family get together and I was able to meet everyone. It was a little difficult to communicate, but it was fantastic just to stand in a corner and watch them all. Italians really are a lively lot and I don’t think there was a second of silence from the moment the first people walked in to the moment the last person left. It was so much fun!

Afterwards I went out dancing with my cousin Marco and his friends. Now at the time when Swedish, and even South African parties, usually end Italian parties only get started. If we had sat for just another half an hour on that dock drinking espresso we would have seen the sunrise, but I think we were all just a little too tired.

To recount all my adventures of the last week would be a blog on its own and even to put only half of the pictures I took would be difficult, but know that this little trip to Italy was easily one of the most memorable ones I’ve ever taken and I can’t wait to go again in the summer.

Hej då

PS: I dedicate this post to the loving memory of my Nonna.

Oslo

In another moment of spontaneity a couple of weeks ago my two travel buddies, Dani and Silke, where able to persuade me (not that I really needed much persuasion) to join them on a trip to Oslo. A one night, two day trip travelling with none other than inexpensive Raynair Airlines.

So it was that very early last Saturday morning (I'm talking about 3 in the morning) I found myself braving the cold with the two girls cycling to the train station to catch a bus to the Airport, where we took a very short flight to a Norwegian Airport and then taking another bus found ourselves in Oslo...the most expensive city in the world! (and I'm not over exagerating check out this link)

You might be wondering what do three exchange students from Sweden do in a city like Oslo? Now that is a very good question and the exact same one we asked ourselves as we walked out of the bus station in Oslo! We were all so excited about going to Oslo, but no one had bothered to find out what there was to do or see there. Luckily it was not difficult to find a tourism office where we picked up some brochures and while having a very expensive coffee at Mac Donalds planned our assault on the city.

We were lucky to find "Streetwise: Tourist information for young people visiting Oslo". This little guide book saved our lives and we soon found ourselves referring to it every time we had a question. It had all the best information like; what was free, the cheapest bars, the best sightseeing walks and even where to find the best, free, public toilets (they were at city hall!) It was amazing!

So armed with our guide book we set off exploring Oslo. It is an interesting city and again very different to the other two Scandinavian Capitals I have visited. Here I found a lot more of a relaxed, young, party vibe. I don't know if it had to do with the big soccer final being played (every person was either wearing orange or blue to support their team) or because of the World Music Festival being hosted in the city (did not see a single show because we could not afford it), but the city was crowded! It was loads of fun visiting the Castle and watching the guards march around all seriously (think it had to do with the fact that the King was in residents) and visiting the really expensive shopping malls.

One of the best things was when someone stopped us, started chatting away in Norweigan and gave us a flyer. Now Norweigan is very similar to Swedish and we were able to make out two very important words on the flyer...FREE FOOD! So of course very interested we went in search of this food. We found a large tent on the warf and here true as bob were people giving away food! Not just any food, but Norwegian sushi, cheese and crackers, and even cooldrink. We couldn't believe our luck and casually helped ourselves and ate our fill while pretending to read the marketing material the people handed out to us. The best part was that just as we were about to leave it started to pour with rain so we were forced to stay longer and eat some more!

Very pleased with ourselves we continued exploring visiting City Hall, the Noble Peace Center, a Contemporary Art Museum and a variety of other interesting places. We eventually found our way to our hostel and to our 6 bedded room that we shared with 5 other people (this is an internal joke and it will make more sense when you look at the photos). After  a short siesta we went in search of some entertainment and with the help of our trusty guidebook we eventually found a pub/disco where we could enjoy a pitcher of beer (R200/L) and a basket of tacos (R70). We sipped at the pitcher for as long as possible and then as it had been a long day headed back to the hostel and sleep.

The next morning after a very simple buffet breakfast at the hotel we went in search and found some Sunday markets. They sold a variety of handcrafts, art and antiques and we enjoyed just milling through the many tables and stalls. This search took us to a few interesting suburbs of Oslo and we were able to see more than the average tourist with regards to life in Norway.

Our next stop was the newly built Oslo Opera House. This beautiful white marble building, built over the water. is sloped in such a way that it looks like a mini snow covered mountain and you are able to climb all the way to the top and enjoy the view of Oslo. (Just a pity it was overcast).

After spending sometime at the opera house we went in search of the old city and slowly found our way back to bus stop, then airport, then eventually back in Linköping on Sunday night. It was a long two days filled with lots of walking, but we were able to see a lot of the city and I'm very glad I went.

In the end it did not even turn out to cost that much either!

Hej då

PS: I now know what currency they use in Norway ;-)

A bit of this and that

I’m really sorry about not writing a proper blog last week, but it has been a rough past two weeks. I can’t exactly put my finger on what I’ve been doing, but I hardly seem to have a free second.

The majority of last week was spent writing my exam essays. I know it may not sound like it is very difficult, but if your studies for the past couple of years has comprised solely of solving mathematical problems and you have not come anywhere near writing essays with strict rules concerning how you must reference in Harvard style then you too would be stressing every time you put a pen to paper  because you are hoping that what you are saying is truly original! They even have a special computer programme that you must send your essays to so that they can be crossed referenced against the entire internet!

Besides the exam it has, once again, been a very social couple of weeks. I attended a birthday party, another ice hockey game (LHC lost), went dancing, was invited to dinners, went to a Swedish Rotary version of Oktoberfest and it was the infamous Intervallen Thank You party. This party was well worth all the hard work to organise Intervallen. In the true Swedish tradition we had a ‘sitnining’ with singing, skits, jokes, games, good food, even better wine, schnapps and of course dancing until the early hours of the morning. As I said earlier it was well worth it and I would happily work again if it meant I got to go to another party like that.

Another thing that has dominated every waking moment, and even non-waking moment, of my day is my project, ImPATCHit! Students making an impact through patches...To explain the entire project would take too long and we will have a website up and running within the next month with all the information. In short myself and my committee, of about 14 international volunteers, are going to sell patches to the students at the university to (1) raise awareness of AIDS in SA and (2) raise funds to help support the goGogetters project in Knysna. Patches are a very popular way to decorate ones overall, an essential part of student attire at LiU, and we are hoping the students will buy them.

The committee is very optimistic about the project and we are frantically working hard to try and coincide the launch of the patch with World AIDS Day which is on the 1 December and thus only a month away! So please wish us luck.

I’ve also recently started to sauna. This amazing Swedish tradition is the perfect way to relax after a hectic week. Especially when after you have sweated a little inside  you go outside into the freezing cold! It feels as if every part of your body is alive and you can’t help, but feel the same. I’m lucky enough to have one at the place where I live and I’m seriously considering making it part of my weekly routine, at least for these cold winter months.

I’m currently at a coffee shop in town feeling very modern and business like with my laptop on the table and drinking coffee. I was in town early this morning for a Rotary Meeting and now I’m waiting for the bank to open before I go back to campus. I Surprised myself when I woke up this morning because the increasing cold and darkness are making it harder and harder to wake up in the mornings. I have no idea what I’m going to do in December when it is almost always dark! Anyway the bank will be open soon so I better go.

Hej då

PS: I'm a little pressed for time at the moment, so it's only words for now. I will add some photos asap...Promise!