I'm back!!!

I never thought that I would be back in Sweden so soon. So I think it's time to give my blog another work out to help keep you all update with the stories and photos of my time abroad here in Sweden!!

So the first leg of my journey went relatively smoothly however it was not without it's slight drama back at customs in Melbourne!!!

For those who spoke to me in the few days leading up to my depature will know about my struggle with getting all my luggage to be within the weight limits. I managed to succeed and so all my luggage was checked through fine and my carry on luggage was the correct weight. So while I was waiting with the family to kill time before walking through 'the doors' mum suggested transferring my excess stuff from my computer bag into my carry on case (so that my computer bag would not be so heavy to carry) with the logic that it had been weighed and therefore was all ok. Was she WRONG!!!!! Not 1 minute after walking throught the door was I stopped and asked to weigh my bags. Well my case now weight about 8.5kg and my handbag weighted 2.5kg. The computer bag was going to be allowed despite it's weight (about 6.5kg) and that would not be added onto my carry-on luggage weight limit. THE WEIGHT I WAS ALLOWED COULD NOT EXCEED 10KG!!! And that was the guy being kind and allowing me an extra 3kg. So for all those who can do basic maths you will notice that I was up shit creek...to put it nicely!! I was told to go back out through the doors and head to the check-in counter again to sort it out. Before heading to the desk I decided that it would be best for me to transfer all the computer stuff I had previously put in my case back to my computer case. And thank god for the friendly and very helpful woman at the counter who kindly checked in my case (no excess luggage fee despite having a combined weight of 30kg checked in!!!). If only I hadn't chnaged the stuff around I would have probably gotten through because she said I should have been allowed through with all my stuff!!!! So now caseless it was time for take 2 with the customs and the carry-on luggage weigh-in. And maybe it was because I was praying so hard that I'd be allowed through (not really...I was within the limits this time) I went through no hassles and was sitting waiting to board my plane in no time.

The flight from Melbourne to Singapore was a very bumpy ride. There were numerous occasions where even the crew had to stop what they were doing so they could sit down and fasten themselves in. But despite all of the excitement I made it to Singapore.

The flight from Singapore to Copenhagen was so smooth in comparison to my first flight. There was hardly any turbulence, I'd figured out how to work the movies on demand and I even managed to get about 5hrs of sleep.

After arriving in Copenhagen and making my way through customs after collecting my luggage, I was relieved to find that my ventalin survived the journey in one piece! I then spent about 3hrs waiting for the bus to Gothenburg where Martina and her family were to meet me. The bus trip was long (5hrs in total) and the temperature reading never got higher that 5 degrees. I managed to get a quick glimpse of Malmö when we stopped briefly to change driver. It seems to be a very pretty little town and I'm looking forward to going back and exploring it some more.

So Martina, Lars and Åsa met me at the bus station. By that time it was already getting dark, and that was at about 3.30 in the afternoon. It was good to catch up with them all and it really hasn't seemed like a year and a half has passed since I was last here. Everything looks the same, just whiter!!

Sunday was spent with Lars' parents down in Halmstad which is South of Gothenburg. I had a very nice traditional Christmas meal of green cabbage soup followed by ham, potatoes and cabbage. There was an exchanging of Christmas gifts which followed lunch. On returning home, Martina's cousin joined us to spend the night. We will be catching up with her in London (she will remain nameless for the time being until I learn how to spell her name!!). She was really nice and has asked her dad to get in touch with his cousin's daughter (I think) who is about my age and living in Malmö, so that I can meet up with her and so she can be someone familiar who I can call if I ever need anything while I'm here.

Today has also been a pretty chilled out day. I hit the shops with Martina to buy the essentials (coat, boots, beanie, gloves and scarf) which will be imperative in me surviving the winter. Let's just say that my Aussie coat and shoes don't really stack up against the weather here. Now I have to go and pack because tomorrow I'm off to London where I'll be spending about 5 days over New Years. I'll be staying with Martina at her apartment so it should be lots of fun. Not too sure what the plans are but I'm sure we'll have fun. Martina will be spending quite a lot of time searching for a new place to live and a job as she has to move out soonh (not too sure when exactly) ao that will make life a little stressful for her for the time being.

So that's all from me for now. Will post another update after my return fro London. Then I'll have about a week before I move back to Malmö ready to begin my semester at Malmö. Should be fun.

Puss och Kram
Alice
xo