Saturday, November 27, 2010
Brussels Christmas Market
Bizarre merry go rounds, mulled wine, Ferris wheels, snow, skating, delicious food, and endless rows of merchants selling everything from mittens, to mini chimney-shaped incense holders, stretching through the entire centre of the city. This is the Brussels Christmas market. It is truly amazing.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
I fell in love with Brännö
I was invited into the home of the most wonderful Swedish family this past weekend. Upon arrival onto the beautiful island of Brännö (accessible only by ferry - no cars on the island, only bicycles and mopeds!), I was greeted by lovely people, wonderful pets, served a delicious meal, was taught how to play banjo (life long dream!), bongos, and ukulele, and got to jam with esteemed members of Brännö's very own band "The Burning Islanders".
The next day, we made a trip to the countryside outside Goteborg for a family dinner, where I had my first traditional Swedish meal - a REAL smorgasbord! Pickled herring, herring in different sauces, boiled potatoes, flat, crispy bread, a crayfish and shrimp cake dish, "light" beer, and to top it off, a delicious Swedish birthday cake. Wonderful wonderful meal!
And as a send off, I got to ride in the front crate of the moped from the house to the ferry terminal. A most enjoyable experience!
All in all, I fell in love with Sweden. It reminded me a lot of home - the air was cold and crisp, there were beautiful evergreen trees everywhere, open fields, and I was lucky enough to have been present for the first snowfall of the year.
I can't wait to go back!
The next day, we made a trip to the countryside outside Goteborg for a family dinner, where I had my first traditional Swedish meal - a REAL smorgasbord! Pickled herring, herring in different sauces, boiled potatoes, flat, crispy bread, a crayfish and shrimp cake dish, "light" beer, and to top it off, a delicious Swedish birthday cake. Wonderful wonderful meal!
And as a send off, I got to ride in the front crate of the moped from the house to the ferry terminal. A most enjoyable experience!
All in all, I fell in love with Sweden. It reminded me a lot of home - the air was cold and crisp, there were beautiful evergreen trees everywhere, open fields, and I was lucky enough to have been present for the first snowfall of the year.
I can't wait to go back!
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| Brännö |
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| Brännö |
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| Brännö |
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| Moped with crate for carrying things (or people!) |
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| "Swedish" dishes :) |
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| Brännö |
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| Brännö |
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| Ferry coming into Brännö |
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| Ferry terminal on Brännö |
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| Brännö harbour |
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
All weather-related sadness was erased last night when I walked into La Grande Place and saw this:
And how, you may ask, do they get such a giant tree to stay upright and stable? Simple - they tear up the cobblestones, dig a hole, and PLANT the tree in the middle of La Grande Place. How clever!
Although, I must admit, Christmas comes much too early here. November 16th, and already a massive Christmas tree? Doesn't seem right!
And how, you may ask, do they get such a giant tree to stay upright and stable? Simple - they tear up the cobblestones, dig a hole, and PLANT the tree in the middle of La Grande Place. How clever!
Although, I must admit, Christmas comes much too early here. November 16th, and already a massive Christmas tree? Doesn't seem right!
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