Ten years ago (time flies!) I was very fortunate to be able to study abroad in Stockholm, Sweden. To celebrate my time there I thought I'd share some photos I took.
Sweden is a remarkable country that is noted for its rich heritage, outstanding Scandinavian art and design, and has a great societal consideration for its people and future prosperity. I was able to visit many museums, several palaces, and learn about Swedish history and culture. Below are photos from around the city, the Vasa Museum, Skansen (Europe's first open-air museum), Drottningholm Palace, ancient Nordic burial mounds, and my delightful Finnish roommate Kristiina.
I'm happy to report that after eleven months of practicing Rosetta Stone French that my time has not all been wasted. While in Paris recently, I was able to understand when two ladies, in two separate occasions, asked me to reach and grab some items off the top shelf while at a local super market. A modest success!
Paris is a wonderful city that when even mentioning to people that you plan on visiting, their features change and a tone of nostalgia creeps into their voice. People made recommendations for places to visit and things to do, but every trip is different, unusual, and particular for everyone separately. John and I went to Paris, our first overseas trip together to expose our senses to foreign culture, ideas, and habits. Having visited twice before, it was nice for me to have a reminder that extended European travel is enlightening and also worth all the jet lag. I loved seeing things I've seen before, but of course, it's also great trying new foods, experiencing new places, and having a sense of familiarity to city that I consider truly special.
I think getting older I've recognized that it's nice to develop deeper insights and appreciation for complex things. I no longer pander and pine over novel trinkets like snow globes and kitschy souvenirs (not that there's anything wrong with that). For example, now I've learned to appreciate the brilliant decorative design techniques used at Versailles and also how to identify unusual cooking accoutrement at E. Dehillerin (a famous cooking store)--those kinds of things fulfill me, because they make me more curious.
Our trip was an affirmation that traveling wakes a person up from the daily hum-drum routine that can easily over take anyone. As some people remark that our world is growing smaller based on new technologies and different modes of transportation, I positively anticipate that my individual access will only increase and lead to new experiences.
I plan on spreading out all of my photos from our trip in a series of blog entries coming up. It'll help me cherish my experience in France, and hopefully inspire anyone to get-up and travel--after all this blog is a celebration for any and all things fancy.
