This past weekend I went with ESN, the organization for exchange students, to Stockholm, Sweden! We rode on a huge ferry (almost like a cruise, but not exactly)from 4:30 pm to 9:55 am when we arrived in Sweden. The ferry was fun but very crazy. We were in the worst rooms, you know the ones underneath the water! Yea, I felt like Jack from Titanic. I actually ended up in a room with three guys (which would never happen in the US! Guys and girls just aren't separated like they are at home). It was actually an accident that I ended up in that room. Anyways, The ferry was filled with live music, a lady with a mullet, amazing older couples who just wanted to dance, and me to watch it all! The live act consisted of three women in sparkly dresses and two men in matching tuxes. The older generation on the boat just wanted to get down and boogie with the sparkly people, and so they did. They would not let you get in their way either! The songs ranged from Finnish to Cher to Garth Brooks (which the Brit and Aussie claimed someone else sang. I think they were in denial of Garth).
As soon as we arrived in Stockholm, the jackets and socks went off and the sunglasses went on! It was amazing. I'm sure those of you back home don't think much of that. But after spending four months in a jacket and living in a city with wind and some sunshine, yea, I was very excited to not wear socks. Oh the little things in life. Asha, Abbie, and I just walked around the city. We found a park with green grass!! After lying in it for a while, we found another park! We also found a lot of cool playgrounds. I think each one we found had a castle and some crazy see-saw or spinning object in it. The second park we went to had the biggest and thickest blade of grass I think I have seen in a long time. Once again, oh how the little things make you so happy.
Our first day we really just walked around, saw the older city, ate a lot of ice cream, bought fruit from the outside stands, and sat by the water a lot to eat whatever we were eating at the time. Stockholm and Helsinki are very similar, but oh so different too! Both are on the water and both have little islands everywhere. But, Stockholm's city center was more surrounded by the water than Helsinki's. There are just so many bridges to connect the islands, meaning there are a lot places to walk along the water. It was so pretty! There were boats everywhere!
I am not trying to dis Helsinki. Its just that Stockholm was warm! Plus, everyone was out and about. The Finns claim this happens in the summer, but sadly I will not be here to witness that. Stockholm also had really beautiful architecture! Everyone who went came back with pink and red faces from the sun. Our poor skin hasn't seen the real sun in a long time. Okay, the sun comes out in Helsinki, but it just doesn't seem as warm as it did in Stockholm.
On our second day in Stockholm, we only had until 4:30 pm. Since we spent our first day in parks and walking around the city, we spent the second day going to the market and a museum. We went to the Nobel Museum. Sadly, we had to leave pretty Stockholm and get back on the ferry. On the way back we all stayed at the top of the ferry to be in the warmth and sun as long as possible.
It was such a nice break to be in Stockholm, especially not having to wear a jacket! I hate how pictures and blogs just don't do tt justice though. Now I am back in Helsinki, and it is actually getting a little warmer. Today I only wore a light jacket.
As for classes, I took a test today and I have an essay due at the end of the week. Other than that, I am through with classes! Once I finish this essay, I just have to clean my room and pack for my trip to Europe! I officially have all my plane tickets bought and my Eurail pass ready to go! It is so insane to me that this time next week I will be in Germany on my way to the Netherlands!
A lot will happen until that moment though. April 30th-May 2nd is Vappu, or May Day. It is a huge celebration for Finland. Someone once told me it was the St. Patty's Day of Finland... so I will let you know about that.
I have just put up pictures of lovely Stockholm.
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