The Beginning...and a hop across the pond...

I've wanted to start a blog for awhile but could never get past determining the name of the blog. Today it hit me..."A Life's Cravings"...perfect from numerous perspectives! Et, voila!

Hopped across the pond on Monday night...this time first stopping in Iceland. I recommend this quick layover to all but if you actually have a few extra days to spare, leave the airport and check out this country! I witnessed an incredible view while in-flight: the sun rising on the distant horizon with it's bright colors meeting the dark starry filled sky...the line between was amazing. In our descent, the Iceland terrain, brown and riddled with craters, had a lunar look. A trip to the glaciers on the east coast came highly recommended to me as did a visit in June when light constantly shines on the country.

Passed as an Icelandic girl and a Swedish girl...with men from both countries approaching me while speaking their native tongue. How sweet it is...

Upon arriving in Copenhagen, boarded train for Halmstad, Sweden. Crossed the famous Oresund bridge linking the two countries...such an amazing sight! Train passed through the Swedish countryside opening my eyes to a side of "pristine" Sweden unseen on my past journeys. This time I saw garbage lining the tracks, graffiti artistically painted on bridges and bathtubs in pastures...only later did I learn that the bathtubs serve a purpose to the livestock (food, water, etc) and here I thought I was seeing land filled with junk...a sight seen too frequently in the US. The Swedes are still much more respectful towards their land/environment, in my opinion. I just wish I could have my picture-perfect Sweden back!

Soon met up with my friends, Lars & Helena and did a bit of shopping. I got a kick out of the small grocery baskets...hence the photo. Back in the land of pepparkakor cookies, dala horses and windmills...love it!

The adventure truly begins with renewing my ability to drive a manual transmission. Lars & Helena took me for a test drive...only stalled once. I was soon taken back to being a young 15 year old hitting the streets of Warren on my learner's permit. This time I bacame edgy with cars stacking up behind me for fear I'd stall or worse yet, get stuck on a hill! Fortunately we all survived...now I'm ready to hit the road solo...the real adventure begins. Some have questioned my desire to travel solo across a different country...while I have been rising to the adventure.

Note to self: in future come armed with pin numbers for all credit cards. Most merchants here require a pin number to complete all sales transactions...even for credit card (not debit) purchases. I've never used the pin to my credit card...so out of luck I have been! This is certainly one way to curb my spending habit!

Yesterday, Lars, Helena and Bo headed to China for the wedding of their brother, Magnus, to Spring (from China). Drove to train station in Laholm only to find out that the train was full...so packed back into the car and they headed 1.5 hours south to Malmo to catch that train to Copenhagen. This prompted me to purchase my train ticket for my journey next week. I did laugh at the size of their suitcases since they are typically poking fun at American me for overpacking. This time...their suitcases are much bigger than mine (the proof is in the picture!)!

Today, Thursday, is a Red Day (meaning: "holiday") in Sweden. Celebrations ensued last night for Walpurgis Night/Valborg - the Swedish celebration of Spring. Essentially this is a night filled with bonfires and with many young imbibing or should I say passing out due to high alcohol consumption. Fireworks lit the sky of Knäred, the village where I'm residing.

Craving of the Day: Bright Green Wellies and wool socks to warm me on this cool rainy day