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Archive for November, 2008

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Winter Wonderland

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

I have finally made it to Sweden! Our plane had the pleasure of landing in a snow storm (after almost having to go to a different airport 200 km away because the runway wasn’t cleared). It was the roughest, scariest descent I’ve ever been on, and when the plane touched down it bounced around so much that half the plane literally yelled out in fright. When we stopped, every one broke out in to applause.

Obviously, it’s freezing cold here. The snow comes up to my knees. I’ve visited Sweden almost every year of my life, but never in so much snow. Of course, I’ve been traveling in warm climates for 5 months so the thickest item of clothing I own is a light fleece.

I’m staying with my wonderful, loving, amazing Mormor (grandmother) in her house in Uppsala, about an hour away from Stockholm. I’ve been making good use of her sauna to warm me up! My main goal of these two weeks is to not gain 90 pounds from her excellent cooking. On Thursday, it’s my uncle’s birthday so we’re going to fight our way through the snow to Stockholm to celebrate with dinner.

Morocco

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Finally, a post on Morocco.

Morocco is a remarkable country. It’s where the Middle East meets Africa, and it’s a traveler’s paradise full of mosques, markets, tajines, and couscous. I spent the most of my 11 or so days in the city of Fes, north of Casablanca. Fes had the most amazing old quarter where you could wander around for hours and it felt like you were in the middle ages. French was widely spoken in Morocco so I had a chance to brush up on my high school skills, and I’m glad to say that I was understood most of the time.

The only downside of Morocco was that it was even more difficult being a single female there than it was in Egypt. I often felt uncomfortable and annoyed walking alone. After traveling for 5 months, ending (for now) in Morocco was wearing on my nerves, so I decided to go to Sweden a week earlier than planned so that I could spend a longer time relaxing with my relatives, and maybe even get a start on my college essays (gross).

Stranded

Friday, November 21st, 2008
I'm on the edge of my wits. I'm in London Stansted airport, after flying from Casablanca to Madrid to Heathrow. I haven't slept in 24 hours. I'm cold. I have no where to go. Basically, I decided to make my way ... [Continue reading this entry]

Lost my card

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
I lost my debit card. I forgot it in the only ATM in St. Katherine's  and rushed back 1.5 hours later to find it was gone. The taxi driver that took me to the ATM and back again felt ... [Continue reading this entry]

Egypt, Thai-style

Saturday, November 8th, 2008
IMG_0311[1] by you. The Red Sea! (You can see Saudi Arabia in the distance.) Dahab is an incredibly relaxing place. There's little to do besides diving, snorkeling, sitting on the beach and walking ... [Continue reading this entry]

Temples and tombs

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
I have now arrived in the seaside town of Dahab after a very, very long bus ride. My days in Luxor and Aswan were spent wandering the streets and going to the many ancient sites- temples and tombs. Sometimes seeing ... [Continue reading this entry]

Ears of steel

Saturday, November 1st, 2008
I have realized that on this trip I have become a much better sleeper. At home, even the faintest sound of a tv in the next room would prevent me from falling asleep (my family members can attest to ... [Continue reading this entry]