First Impressions

There is so much to take in. I have learned so much in the past few days that I can't even keep track of everything. Sweden is amazing. I've finally moved in to my flat and met my roommate. She is from Mexico and is awesome. We took a trip to IKEA to buy some stuff for our room. You think your local IKEA is big? No. Let me tell you, this is the biggest IKEA I have ever seen in my life. I'm pretty sure there is an entire block (or something close to that) dedicated to this IKEA. And there is not just one little restaurant area, but a coffee shop as you walk in, a cafe in the middle, and a cafe on the way out.

I've figured out the public transportation, and man is it amazing. It's so efficient and fast and available. I bought a blue access card, which can get me onto the pendeltåg (commuter train), metro, buses, and even some boats. They make it super easy for you to get where you're going, even if you have a baby stroller with you or a suitcase. By almost every staircase, there is either an elevator or two ramps fixed onto the stairs--one for each wheel. This makes me really wish we had better public transit in the US.

 The other night we went to Stockholm with one of our neighbors who is an immigrant from India. He showed us around the city and got us into a night club. I am normally not a fan of loud places but this club was fun. It was Latin night so there was a lot of Latin American music. Most of the people there were around my age and were from all over the world. I met someone from Tanzania and someone from Germany. I try to use Swedish as much as possible, but I have actually used English much more often.

 

My first geocache ever found in another country. :)

Last night I met some Swedish people who were celebrating a crayfish party in my building. They invited me to eat some pie with them. It was a lot of fun talking to them.

My one complaint about Sweden, or at least the part I live in, is that it is so difficult to find a public restroom you can use for free. Seriously? In the USA when you need to use the bathroom you can go to a store, a mall, a theater, a gas station, most parks, most bus stations, anywhere. As much as Sweden supports human rights, they seem to not think it should be a basic human right to be able to pee for free anywhere except your own flat. Lots of Europe is this way I think.

Those are the highlights for now. I'll go more into depth next time.