Okay, thats not completely true..it has not been that slow..hence why I have not been writing! Even now I am about to head off to Stockholm to catch my flight to Vienna not chat for long. Last Thursday Caroline and I made a day trip to Oslo and made it into my second country of the trip (for those of you not up on your geography, Norway). The bus ride there was beautiful, we passed through many small towns and I was able to sit back, relax and watch the changing countryside. many red and yellow houses scattered about and slight changes from one town we stopped in to the next; some with larger and more ornate houses and buildings, and others with a great deal of industry and cottage-like homes. The best part of the journey was just before entering Oslo, when we started to follow the harbor and the land became more rocky, similar to the Canadian shield, and buildings and homes started to climb the rocky hills and shore. It was really picturesque and I could just imagine their views and how gorgeous it would be in the summer. However, Oslo was not nearly what I had expected! Much rougher and far less pristine than Sweden. I was shocked to see a homeless person and it donned on me then that in the last 2 months in Sweden I have probably seen two! its incredible how fast you adjust without even noticing it, when things that are familiar become exotic, unusual or even foreign. Its funny to think how odd Canada will feel to me! Even to just be surrounded by english and able to understand everything being said around me, I've come to being used to all the talking around me being a sort of white noise; not abel to pick anything out of passing or neighboring conversations. BUT back to Oslo, it was nice! I'm very glad to have gone but it defiantly does not rank as one of my favorite cities. Once again the architecture was different; much grander and more traditionally European than Sweden, with many large and important buildings lining the main street of downtown, statues throughout and much more ornate detailing on the exteriors. It was definitely worth the trip, but also most certainly a city best seen in one day as we did. A highlight was seeing Munch's "Scream" painting, which was a pleasant suprise as we did not even know until we had arrived at the National Gallery that Oslo was home to the artist and painting! It is also so incredible to see such famous art in the flesh, its almost like witnessing a significant moment in time.
I'm so so so so excited for Vienna! My dab arrives in just over a half hour, and my luggage is all packed and awaiting me at the door! To be honest, I don't know all that much about the city except for it is grand..and home to delicious coffee, cake and food! As well as one of my most favorite artists Gustav Klimt, and so I am looking very forwards to seeing many of his works up close and in person!! It will also be so nice to be amongst family, as I am staying with and visiting my relatives there. Its really funny the things you come to miss when gone for so long, and also an opportunity to come to see the things that are most important to you. I have come to appreciate my family so very much, and even more so my time with them. Simple pleasures and daily routines such as family meals have left a big hole in my day to day life, and I am looking just as forwards as seeing the city of Vienna as I am a warm motherly hug and table full of food and family. Plus, I have experienced their amazing culinary skills when they have come to visit us and am on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the delicious schnitzel and strudel!!
I come back to Orebro on Monday the 16th, which happens to also be the day that my trip reaches the 2 month point! its unbelievable that I have been here for so long already, time has really flown by. While I feel as though I have not been home in eons, it doesn't seem true that I have been here for such a long time! Its amazing how once you settle into a life and routine, how quickly the days roll through. One plan turns into the next, which leads to another and b the time you look up 10 days have passed! Such has been one of the problems in keeping up with this blog..it feels as though I just wrote yesterday!
Well, I would really love to write more as I have been up to lots and plenty to update you on with what I have been up to and experiencing, but by the time I return home all of that news will have turned old and I will have (hopefully)exciting recollections to share or my time in Austria!
Love & miss you all!! But see most of you in just over a month now!
xoxo
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