Parigi
Paris, baby!
First I would like to say David Guetta is the best, I cannot stop listening to him right now and I don’t know why. But ok, we flew to Paris on a Thursday night and got in around 10 and took off Monday morning at like 9, that’s a lot of time in Paris. We went to check into our hostel and guess what, we were in the red light district. I’ll stop there. I didn’t really experience it. My friend Alan Salganik can tell you about it. Facebook him.
The first night we got some authentic Parisian cuisine, crepes and kebab. We’re poor okay and Paris is way too expensive. Just the architecture was breathtaking, though. Paris is gorgeous and I cannot wait to go back some day. Surprisingly, the people are very nice. I was expecting a nasty French attitude, but I didn’t get any. I think you can tell a lot by how the girls talk to you. In Rome, they act as though they are too good for you. In Paris, the girls wouldn’t mind talking to Americans, and were actually really great with suggestions and directions.
It was a good night. The next day we began a journey. Eiffel Tower. We walked. It looked about 3 inches on the map, but wow did that take forever. Paris is huge. We only went 2 or 3 districts; the hostel was in the 18th, which isn’t far from the Eiffel Tower. First we saw this amazing French church, the Madeleine. We stopped on the Alexander II bridge to play with the statues, I bravely got on the bridge to give one of the angels guarding the bridge a back rub. I got yelled at. Apparently, I could have died according to French Police. I’m okay with it.
Then the magic happened, we saw the Eiffel Tower in the midst of the clouds and fog. It looked close, but took about another half hour to get there. We stopped for food about 5 times; it was cheap and good. Then we were tourists and took about 100 photos of the thing, upside down, different camera settings, everything. I was with 5 guys. All we did was talk about various video games and action movies using the area we were standing on as landscape.
After that, it was Free Louvre Friday! We saw as much as we could in about 3 hours, starting with the Mona Lisa. We dashed over to see Napoleon’s apartment. That man was, for lack of better words, ballin’. We closed the night with some really cheap and good French food, and I could not tell you where, but it was good.
Saturday I went with some friends to the top of Paris to look at the city view. After, we hit up some pastry shops. They were so good I can’t wait to get some again. Then there was a cheese store. I was in literal heaven. We decided to be French and got a baguette, some cheese, and went to the Eiffel Tower. Going up was amazing, seeing everything from Napoleon’s tomb to the Louvre from the top of the Eiffel Tower was great. We called it a night with some nice kebab in the Latin Quarter. It’s where all the university kids hang out. There were so many street performers, and good at what they did, too. There were dancers, guitarists, magic shows, everything really.
Sunday was the last day for us. We didn’t get a hostel for Sunday night and decided to stay up all night to catch a bus at 5:30 to the airport. It was a great decision. First we saw some modern art museums and the d’Orsay. It was pretty sweet. We also saw Notre Dame and inside it was one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. We went to another kebab place in the Latin Quarter, which we cleverly called Natalia Quarter after our friend from Columbia. Wow, I ate a lot of kebab in Paris, and crepes too.
That night we stayed out, which was amazing. We walked from the East side of Paris to the West in five hours. We saw everything. The first time I saw the Arch was at 3:30AM, the French Police kicked us out, but I still got what I needed out of it. It was amazing to see how 15 streets come into one spot. Did you know insurance companies do not insure cars at the Arch?
Overall, Paris was great. If I could study abroad again it would be there. It has the perfect mix of old and new. It actually has skyscrapers, new modern buildings everywhere, and then that great old town feel. I felt like I was in Rome and Chicago in Paris. The people were amazing; I was expecting the nasty French attitude. I told my friends we wouldn’t speak English, only Italian, but everything worked out.
I would highly recommend Paris, one of the best European cities there is. It is very cliché to go to Paris, I know, but I think it is a great experience. When I think of Europe, I think if Paris, the architecture, culture, food, everything. I can’t wait to go back!
Bonsoir!!
March 27, 2008
The Family is in town
So the parents are in town this weekend, and I took full advantage of that, as did my friends. We met up in Piazza Cavour and found ourselves eating at a nice Italian restaurant. My brother was there, too, and my Grandma stayed at the hotel, jetlag isn’t very great for everyone. It was nice watching me out drink my Mom, Dad, and Brother combined….and I can’t drink any wine in a month when I get back home.
After that, we went out to Ferentino, a suburb of Rome, to go see some friends. We had some exchange students stay at our house and so, since they’re Italian, we needed to go to their house and get the royal treatment. I love Italian families, and we got to see a lot of them.
The next day we started driving from Rome to Milan. First stop, Arezzo. Arezzo is a little town near Florence where my great grandfather was born. I was with my Mom and Grandmother so they knew everything about the family. We met some long lost cousins that my mom found and brought them a family tree to show them how we were related. We have never met these people in our lives, they have never seen Americans, but they treated us like we were their children or siblings. Seriously. We went to a café in the middle of the town and they paid for everything and gave us so many gifts. My mom was prepared and gave them all gifts too, so it worked out.
Next was Milan. We know these cousins so nothing really too exciting. We were in Milan for Easter Sunday, funny thing, no Italian went to Mass that day. We stayed in Milan and spent all day with them. I haven’t really just stayed in an Italian house all day long, everything revolves around food. First you eat the antipasti, primi patti, secondi patti, and then dessert. That’s a meal. After that is the cleaning of dishes and a bunch of snack food to munch on till dinner, then dinner. After dinner is just food until you go to bed. All we do it eat and eat…I don’t know how all these people stay thin.
After Milan, we went to Padeva, a town outside Venice, for more family that no one had ever met. No wait, an old cousin about 30 years ago met them, but not the kids or the grandchildren. Again never knowing these people, except for a few phone calls and emails, didn’t make a difference. They took us in like their own family. They made us lunch and gave us more gifts, and we never knew them. It is so amazing.
I love Italian families. We went back to Ferentino yesterday to see all the exchange students and had a huge meal. They took us in as their own. No questions asked. We weren’t even related to these people, but we are still Family.
My parents leave today and I have to go say goodbye soon. After that…Paris…get excited.
March 9, 2008
African Spring Break
Ah Tunisia,
What a country. I’m not going to lie. For Spring Break I was a little leery of going to: one, an African country, and two, being an American in the Middle East…ish. I don’t know how I could ever think that. I love that country and I cannot wait to take the family back. Everyone is so nice and can speak about 18 languages. Ok, no joke. Tunisians learn Arabic and French by the time they are about 5, after that is English and then at 9 they can pick their own language to learn. They all speak a minimum of four. I met a seven-year-old kid who tried to sell me a necklace. First he spoke Arabic too me and I looked at him like I didn’t understand. After he asked the same thing in French. I have been in Italy too long because after I said, “non capito.” He picked up on the Italian and went right in.
Well I understood that time that he wanted to sell a necklace, a poorly made one, for about 12 dinar. I just started talking to him about his Italian and that he spoke very well. He picked up pretty fast that I didn’t have Italian accent and started speaking English to me. Right about then the whole group of 100 students came up. I told him I lived in Italy and then I said we all did. He looked at me confused. Here were 100 Americans, living in Italy. He said, “Mama Mia,” and just walked away like I was lying to him.
We went to the US embassy right away, not going to lie, I felt great when I saw AMERICAN toilettes in the bathroom. I also kind of felt like I was in the middle of a huge target, yes I am an ignorant American. We got a speech from the ambassador and a nice Q&A session. I learned a lot. I really felt like I dove head-first into Tunisian culture and this was the start.
Well, for this spring break I’m going to write a lot because we did a lot. First when we landed we checked into our nice resort hotel on the Mediterranean. I went horseback riding on the beach with a friend and danced at the disco in the hotel. Ok, for future reference, Disco is what all clubs are called in Europe and well everywhere except home. It’s not just disco, it’s DEESKO. I am going to look like an idiot when I get home.
Anyway we discoed it up that night and went to an Arabian hookah bar. I just love the culture when it comes to smoke. It’s not to look cool. It’s just to relax and start a conversation, just like wine in Italy. That was amazing. I met some Tunisians who spoke a mix of Italian and English to me. They could not understand that a culture could only know 1 language and always thought Americans spoke French.
The next day, we got the first taste of what would make up about 50% of the rest of the trip, bartering. We ate lunch with some Tunisian law students and learned about what they think of their government, politics, culture, and life compared to ours. That was amazing. After, they came out to the markets and helped us barter. I think I am a natural because I was instantly addicted. I would buy stuff I don’t want just for the sake of bartering. I was pretty good, I guess. I always got my asking price and I think that isn’t bad. We also got a speech from a Tunisian law professor about their politics, however he was being watched by the government and didn’t really get into detail. We ended that night by celebrating mass in a hotel room…that was an experience.
The next day we saw some Roman ruins on the sea. It was actually a port that was used a really long time ago. Yes, I am captain obvious. We saw the US military cemetery from WWII and ended up at a ceramics museum. That was a fun day. We closed it off at the next hotel with another hookah session. That was amazing. There we were, all in our 20’s just hanging out in the middle of Africa on the Mediterranean smoking some Arabian hookah. It was just one of those WOW moments. We experienced so much at such a young age, it really makes you think how amazing the rest of your life is going to be.
The next day we saw some of the most amazing things you can imagine. First was a Roman Amphitheater. It was about the size of the Coliseum in Rome. Did you know the biggest Roman ruins are not in Italy but in Tunisia? That’s a pretty cool fact. After that we went to the Star Wars bar.
Yes, Star Wars was filmed in this bar. Loyola paid for some beer and we had a great time. It was really small but it was just amazing because the whole bar area was actually used for Luke Skywalker’s house. I was sitting down and had a revelation that I was sitting in the room where Luke bathed CP30 and R2D2, wow. After when we got to the hotel, we had some more Chicha…hookah…and discoed the night away. (Remember it’s DEESKO-ED the night away)
Oh boy, next day was amazing, Sahara Desert, Baby!!! We went camel riding. By this time I had bought a nice headscarf and got to put it to the test on my camel, which I valiantly named Skeeter. Skeeter was really angry and foamed at the mouth, but we connected. I love the pictures from that, all the camels, every person in headscarves along with Tunisian Tunics, too memorable.
That night could not have ended more Saharan…we camped in the Sahara Desert. Next time anyone asks me what have I done that no one else has, I’ll say brave the hot and cold in the Sahara desert. We took some jeeps on a ridiculous off-road experience to get there. We pitched tents and made a nice fire and ate dinner. We had some Tunisians come out and play some amazing classical Tunisian music. 2 drums, some kind of clarinet looking thing, and belly dancers made the rest of that night. It may have been better than discoing the night away. The dancing was amazing.
After, we split up and went into the desert in the pitch black to look up at the stars. It was so beautiful. I don’t think I will ever see stars that bright again. It was amazing to be sitting there in the desert looking at the stars and then sleeping there like 10 minutes later.
After, we took off to our next resort hotel and that had to be the best view of the desert I have ever seen. We went to see an oasis and a place where the English Patriot was filmed…never heard of it but cool. I could not stop bartering there. It was horrible. Ok, I am half Indian and half Italian, like the baby of the future. These guys could pick out that I was Indian and then made the price half as much as they were asking for, after that I would barter to less than a quarter of what they were asking. Everyone else was getting the same stuff for double the price, I had to buy a bunch of rocks and trinkets.
Next was THE best off-roading experience of my life. I’ll have to put that on Youtube, I got some great video. You know those wonderful commercials with a jeep trucking through sand and you just think “How impractical?” Well, I got to see where they film those commercials and see the jeeps put to the test. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster half the time, it was great.
We stopped to see some great cliff views and I got a lot of wonderful pictures. After we went to ANOTHER Star Wars set. Tatouine. NICE!!! This seemed so real I could not believe it. So much sand and desert and then a little futuristic Hollywood set that is still intact after 30 some years. All the little dome houses were still there with all the antennas in the middle of the town.
We woke up the next day to go to the Great Mosque. The most holy spot in Tunisia and this is the only country that will let non-muslims in. We could not go into the actual mosque but we could peer into it and get some pictures.
Then we ended our trip at a wonderful 5-star resort on the Mediterranean again. This time we played volleyball, soccer, and swam our hearts out. We took off to a Salsa club that night. I love dancing, so I am not complaining. I learned Samba and how to Salsa again, it was amazing. I had a GREAT time.
We hung out on the beach and went into the Medina, the market, for some shopping. I loved Tunisia.
I was pretty scared before going just because I thought we might get hurt, but it is such a liberal country comparatively, and so beautiful. I feel so so so stupid for thinking that. My Mom and Dad were a little worried but I mean you know, it’s ok now. They were happy to hear my voice from an Italian phone number.
I want to go all over the Middle East now, if I can, discreetly of course. Next time I would to go to Dubai or Cairo. I loved Tunisia and I can’t believe I did that.
I get to do so much at such a young age. I feel too lucky and too privileged. I can’t wait for the second half of this semester.
Ciao!
Jay
When will you ever get a school sponsored trip to drink wine ever again?
Tuscana -
I’m sorry guys! I have been really busy lately with midterms and then for spring break I was in Africa, not a whole lot of Internet on that continent. Anyway, Here’s Tuscany.
I shelled out 300 euros for the finest wine tastings and best hotels that Tuscany can offer, and I loved every minute of it. First all 35 of the JFRC students going went to a marvelous little vineyard overlooking what seemed like millions of vines. There was a nice little old man who took us inside; we tasted 8 different wines, 2 olive oils, and balsamic vinaigrette.
We each got our own plate of cheese and meat to try each wine with some crackers and a piece of bread. I think everyone was a little surprised at how much wine we got, I thought it would only be 2 or 3 but no, 8. Not to say I didn’t mind though, I learned a lot. This was too fun mainly because after learning the proper way to drink wine, what to look for, and how texture, taste, build, and quality make it better, I still can’t drink when I get home. If you want to look it up it’s called Tenuta Torciano, in San Gimignano.
After we went into San Gimignano. It’s a little medieval town similar to Assisi and known for its towers. Amazing views and scenes were everywhere and everyone was just so nice. I spent most of my time in a little café sucking in coffee and gelato, but it was still a nice little excursion.
That night we saw our 300 euros put to good use as we checked into a nice 4 star hotel where EVERYONE spoke fluent English. That was a great relief. Dinner was amazing with the best wine known to man, I wish I remembered the names of those wines!!! Oh well, that’s why Al Gore invented the Internet.
That night in the restaurant, a group of professors from New York invited the only other Americani for miles to a bar down the street. That was a fun time, having some wine with some of the most cultured and brilliant people in America. Our own Dr. Cavallo was out there too having a great time.
The next day we went to a terra cotta plant. That was amazing. I got some bricks and a little pot, the most economical purchase for a student. They harvest the clay from that spot and mold it, after it goes in an oven for about 1 week and that is how it gets that nice rose color.
After was an olive oil tasting up in the mountains. We watched them harvest the olives off the trees and literally comb them to keep them healthy. They need to stay small so the olives are nice and ripe. That’s why olives in the southern part of the Mediterranean are smaller. After on the drive back, we had to stop so some locals could cut a tree down into the road, and then dismantle it.
Next was another wine tasting at one of the largest vineyards on this planet. It was actually the birthplace of a little wine I’m sure everyone has heard of, Chianti. It’s called Castello Ricasoli. They produce 2 million bottles of wine a year, it was amazing to see so much wine in barrels and in bottles. I don’t think I will ever see that again.
For the tasting we had 2 wines. We had Chianti, go figure, and a native Tuscan wine. Both were amazing to say the least.
On our last day we went to Sienna. It is home to the MOST beautiful church I have ever seen, Il Duomo. Every city has a church called Duomo, it just means The Dome. It had so much Egyptian influence I loved it. The black and white stripes all over just resonate Islamic influence. I love seeing things from other countries in another country.
After, everyone hung out in the center of the city in an amazing piazza. It was such a nice and warm day. We all got some pizza and gelato and just sat under the sun until it went behind all the buildings. That was an amazing day.
Tuscany was great, really great. We didn’t see Florence, but I’m over it. I got to go to the some of the most famous vineyards in the world and try the best wine in the world. I’m only 20. I can’t even drink when in the States.
All in all, Io lo amo.
February 21, 2008
Just some thoughts
Ciao!
So we just had the Vagina Monologues here and I really wanted to try and be in it. I know I’m a guy and I can’t, but still I thought it would be fun. I figured I could be a nice dash of comedic relief like in “My Angry Vagina”…I think I could have nailed that one. That’s ok though, next time.
I’m heading out to go see a movie right now. I asked everyone and their mom if they wanted to go but everyone said "no," they are all scared of seeing a movie all in Italian. I think it’s a little sad but whatever, right? It’s a sappy little love story and I think it will be fun. I got some Italian friends who are gonna go with me now so I guess it worked out. “Scusa ma ti chiamo amore” That’s the name. It means Excuse me, but I call you my love. Should be kind of exciting.
Classes here are a lot harder than what I was expecting…a lot of reading. Trust me. I’m a bio major I read a lot and then even more but still this is a lot of reading. Most of it’s pretty interesting. One is a feminism class, Italian women authors in translation, and I really enjoy that class the most. The other heavy reading is my Italian politics and government class. It’s just too messed up to even try to explain so it feels like reading a bio book. I have to stop and repeat every sentence. Then there’s ancient art of the Roman world. Not too bad but oh so boring. I really don’t enjoy that class a whole lot, it’s on site some times, which is nice but so dull. It’s not so much Roman though, more Etruscan. Oh so much reading though. Last is Italian film which I’m not sure counts as a literary core or not, but I like watching a movie every Tuesday. They just get kind of depressing some times. It’s all neorealism so talking about the movie is fun but watching it is kind of boring.
I’m going to Tuscany this weekend though and after that is Tunisia for 10 days…that should be the cultural event of a lifetime. I will see Camels, Tunisian diplomats and senators, camping in the Sahara, amazing beaches, and just being in a Muslim country. When will I ever do that again? I can’t wait but this weekend will be an amazing wine tasting at the best vineyards in the world…it is gonna be awesome.
A Dio!
February 20, 2008
Durrty South
Sicily!!
All right now….so this weekend my friends and I decided to boost things up a little and went down to the durrrrty south of Italy, Sicily. On the train ride there every person had a Godfather ringtone…little creepy but pretty cool. Oh then there was Pepe, he is in the “construction” business. We started talking for a little bit and then he asked what I was studying, I replied “Medicina.” Wow did his face light up. He gives me his card and tells me to call him, he needs a few doctors. He’s in the construction business. I looked at his card and the name was Giovanni, when I called he said to ask for Gio. Whatever….I don’t judge
Once we got there we did what every human would do, go straight to the beach. God I love the ocean. I really don’t think I will ever meet someone who loves the beach as much as I do. Watching all the waves crashing in made me feel so great, then there are all the palm trees just hanging over the water. To see the hilly terrain of Sicily stretching out into the water was breathtaking. We even got a kite and took that for a spin. I love the beauty and I cannot wait to go back. I already decided I’d propose in Venice, so honeymoon in Sicily. We toured Palermo and it was amazing. There is so much Byzantine and Islamic influence it is awesome. I love other cultures so much and to see Italian and Islamic in one was so amazing. I could have crapped my pants, no joke.
After, we checked out the hostel, it was like an apartment!!! We had 5 beds, a living room, dining room, and kitchen and it was 2 stories. We immediately know we had to cook and it was awesome. For dinner we went down to the local market and came back stacked up with everything. I went with all girls, 6 of them, so I was pretty excited. Guess who ended up doing most of the cooking? This guy. I love cooking though so it worked out. First was the best fruit salad I ever had with the freshest fruit and oranges the size of my head, no joke. After was salad, so fresh and I have no idea what dressing she used but I will never forget it. I could not believe it. Next we had pasta. Lauren made that. She put in artichoke, sun dried tomatoes, and mushrooms in a pot and made the best, I mean the best, sugo I can imagine. I loved it. Next came my turn. I made lemon chicken with some amazing pesto. I can’t even tell you what I used but I loved it. I bought a huge squid and served that up for us as well. Without doubt the best meal of my life, especially with the best pastries in all of Italy. I don’t know what they put in those cannolis but they are amazing.
Ok, wine time. I have gained a pretty darn good pallet while being here and it only got better this weekend. We stopped by the market and bought some nice wine from a local guy. 1 liter for 1 euro, not bad. It was Nero D’Avola. I am a sucker for that stuff, such a great mix of blackberry and plum and I love it. In Rome it’s not that great, just really cheap but in Sicily it’s to die for. After that was some amazing Moscato. This is where Moscato originated. Up in Rome it is a lot more sweet and more of a dessert wine but in Sicily it was used for dinner. It was so sharp, and so sweet. It was 18% alcohol which is really really high for wine but you can’t tell.
Now being the only guy on this trip I expected a lot of shopping and I was correct. I don’t mind shopping and don’t mind the barely legal goods in south Italy. I got some nice stuff for cheap and everyone got some deals that seemed like robbery.
After that we took off for Catania, another city on the East coast. That was amazing, too. This place is known for its amazing sweets, and god-awful soccer team. Every other store was a Pastecheria, a candy shop, and I loved it. We had a special, called “il Padrino” otherwise known as the Godfather. It’s like heavy rum and sugar butter…not too bad.
We took an overnight train back and went to class. Definitely one of the best weekends of my life and probably my best trip yet. I loved it and I cannot wait to go back.
OK I gotta go play some Calcio now, team purple baby, don’t forget it
PS sorry this one was kind of long
And you know what, check out my Facebook to see some good pictures!!
February 13, 2008
Milan…and Family
Milano!
So this past weekend was a doozy. I went up to go see some good ol’ family in
Milan.
I was sick as a dog from
Venice,
but I’m 100% better now. Every Italian will tell you how to get better and my family was no exception. I was PUMPED full of medicine for about 2 days solid. Every five minutes, I was given some kind of pill to suck on and went through a whole bottle of cough syrup. It was a little awkward but none the less pretty good.
I could not stay awake for the life of me, mainly because of the big red box on the cough syrup box that said “Fa Assonnato,” “Will make you drowsy.” So that was nice.
It was weird because
Milan
celebrated Carnivale on Saturday and it has been over for a week now. Ash Wednesday is also on the Sunday after the rest of the world decides to celebrate it. Well, whatever.
I went with my cousin to his parish and met a lot of Italians, who don’t really speak English. They were all worried about me being there then my cousin said something great… “Lui Parla Italiano,” He speaks Italian. Wonderful. For the next 4 hours I had every single Italian word thrown at me and was a little overwhelmed. I can speak Italian, but only to toddlers and middle-aged women. These kids went way too fast and used way too much slang for me.
Next was Trivial Pursuit, in Italian. Every other question was about the
US
and so the entire parish is just looking at me like the token American. Ok, everyone knows in order to be President of the
United States
you have to be 35, right? Not according to this game, it was 40. Everyone on my team hated me because I was wrong, but thanks to Google, I was proven right.
When we got back home I ate the best homemade risotto and pasta I have ever had. I love the food here. They give you so much food, but it’s weird because I have lost weight, I gotta start lifting again.
*****Fun Fact: does not have a government right now. Try that. The politics here are so messed up and when I understand them better I’ll write a post about it. Right now this would be the equivalent of saying there is no President or Congress. Elections are in April and it is a really messed up process.
Italy
Voter turn out though is 90% here, not too shabby. With 22 political parties I would vote, too.
February 4, 2008
Venezia
So Venice, Ya, Totally amazing. I went there for Carnivale this weekend. It was HUGE. I was in Venice one time before that and I loved San Marco’s Square. It is so historic and wonderful, oh and for Carnivale it is just one huge techno Rave. It is pretty amazing to be standing in a place where so much history happened and has so much beauty, and love the snow-globe stage blasting Gigi D’Agostino’s “Fly with me.” When you turn around you see lights all over the most beautiful church, San Marco, and see the 5 senses plastered on every historic piece there (The theme was sensation).
Venice is so beautiful. I definitely know I am going to propose in Venice, no doubt. It was kind of sad though, me and my girlfriend pretty much pulled the plug that weekend and I was in such a romantic city, all I could do was think about her. That’s ok though, more fish in the sea, right? I hope so. It was so beautiful though, I loved it. I can’t wait to go back. I stayed up all night on Saturday to catch my 8:00 flight and had a blast. I’m sick as a dog now but it was way way worth it.
Da Pope
We went to a Papal Audience the other day to see good ol’ Benedict. That was an experience, all classes were canceled so the whole school went to see it. I got everything blessed, crucifixes, rosaries, my jacket, all my souvenirs and even a post card that I sent out. It was definitely a great time, when else am I gonna see il Papa?
January 29, 2008
Stoccolma
Stockholm!!
So I just got back from what looked like Little Sweden in Epcot. I was shocked to see how American Sweden is. Every local could not wait to brag about their relatives in the States.
However, it was the best city in Europe I have been to, by far. It was just so friendly…and really dark, about 7 hours of sun each day. We saw the Vasa which is an old Viking ship and checked out the wonderful Ice Bar. Our hostel was a houseboat. Talk about ridiculous right? I ate elk and reindeer and in all actuality it really tasted like chicken, but a more elky reindeery kind of chicken.
It was kind of cold, about 30 to 35 degrees, Fahrenheit of course, but definitely worth it. I got a nice penny deal flight there and back, which only made the trip so much better. Our group was HUGE, 9 people, in 3 different places. Usually you travel with about 3 or 4 but we decided to triple that.
Everyone spoke fluent English. Usually when you speak English in Europe it’s slow and stretched out without any use of idioms, but these people nailed every sentence. I would highly recommend Stockholm for everyone; it is so amazing and cultured. I just got back and I’m pretty tired so I’m sorry if this post is all over the place!!