Kiruna

Ok, so it has been a while.

Last week, I ventured off into the Arctic Circle. And yes, it was damn cold. We left on the train around 2pm and had to change a few times. We were on this night train and it was pretty cool, we mainly just partied and drank. We got to Kiruna in the morning and our train was late because we hit some moose and reindeer. Because we were late, we had to go directly out into the wilderness before going to our hotel. We took a dogsled and snowmobiles many kilometres into the wilderness over a frozen lake. We reached these wooden cabins, which is where we would be staying for the next 2 days. In order to keep it heated, we had to chop our own firewood and get our own water from the river. Stiig, who was one of our guides cooked us reindeer meat for lunch and dinner, and it was very delicious. While in the wilderness we could have done many things, such as cross country ski, ice fish etc. I chose to go on a wilderness hike with a few of my friends. It was gorgeous some of the scenery that I saw. There were huge hills, frozen streams and lakes, sunsets and so many trees. The whole time we were there we didnt get to see the northern lights, which was kinda disappointing. We took the dogsleds back to civilization and it was the coldest I have ever felt in my like. My toes had a little bit of frostbite on them and some people were lying in the fetal position trying to get warm. Some girls were even crying but I'm not that pansy lol.

So, we get back to the hostels and try to warm up. It was pretty difficult because our hands weren't functional for at least an hour. We walked to the grocery store and made ourselves dinner and chilled to the next day. We went on the mine tour and it was kinda boring, but it was warm so I didnt really care. The town of Kiruna is pretty small, but it was cute and quaint. I really enjoyed all the little cafe's. The ice hotel was pretty awesome, but by the end of the trip I was just soooo sick of ice and snow lol.

The train ride back took forever, because all the trains were delayed because of a huge snowstorm through southern sweden. We missed our connection so they put us on a bus, which got stuck in traffic in Stockholm for 3 hours. I was very glad to get home and sleep in my warm and comfy bed.

Not too much else has been going on here for me, just business as usual. Some friends and I are booking a trip to Paris so I am pretty excited for that. Ryanair is so cheap I love it. I wish they did business in Canada. Now that I have spent most of February travelling, I must spend most of March studying haha.

Monthiversary.

Yesterday morning (Saturday) I lay peacefully asleep after a long night out, only to be awaken by Jehovah's witnesses banging on the door. I was really surprised when I say a hobo, and even more surprised when I saw these people. I live in this huge apartment building like thing, and these people should not be able to get inside because the outside door is usually locked. Note to self: make sure the door is always locked.

I talked to my contact family yesterday. They wanted me to come over for dinner next weekend, but I will be in England and wont be able to attend. Sooooo they insisted on taking me out on the 16th for my birthday! The family has the wife, Annika, the husband (can't remember his name), a boy named Bjorn, and a girl Hanna. The boy is 16 and the girl is 18. They have a puppy too, I've just seen pictures but he looks adorable. They live in this little town right outside of Jonkoping called Habo. Really excited for dinner on teh 16th!

So, today is the superbowl, so Andrew and I are throwing a party here at Skepps. Plenty of hamgurgers and beer. The game starts at midnight here, so it is going to be a looonnggg night. Looking forward to it.

Oh! And today I have been in Jonkoping for exactly one month, so it is my monthiversary :)

Sweden

Ok, so i guess I haven't written in here in quite a while. It's pretty much day to day life here. Although, I do go to England next Wednesday which I can't wait for! Jenna, Andrew and I leave early in the morning to catch the bus to Nykoping, then hop on a Ryanair plane that takes us to London Stanstead. The tickets were soooo cheap, like $20. It's crazy how cheap travel is here, nothing like Canada. We booked a hostel right near Hyde park, which is apparently pretty close to the city center. We come back on the following Monday, and then leave for Kiruna on the Thursday. Kiruna is veryyyy north and is in the Arctic Circle, the bus ride is something ridiculous like 20 hours or soemthing, but we get to do so many awesome things there like see the northern lights if they are out, ride dogsleds, see the icehotel, ice fish, go mining... it will be awesome. Although, I am going to have to buy some snowpants and some new boots. I dont know how I have lasted here so long without the boots and stuff.

Today, the sun was out all day in Jonkoping, which is awesome because I don't see it very often. However, they say it will come out a lot more now that it is getting closer to spring. Today it wasn't even below zero. itw as 1 degree haha.