hop, step and a jump to Bulgaria

Since I last wrote I spent about 24 hours in Munich, where I didn't really meet any Germans. I was staying at a hostel which had mostly Americans and one other Canadian, and even from the airport I travelled with a Norwegian, a Swede and a Greek by subway to the hauptbahnhof. After finding the hostel I wandered around alone for a few hours, seeing the Marienplatz and had some dinner (I am really loving the deep-fried Camenbert, sooo good) then went back to the hostel to go out to a beer garden with my new found North American friends, Andrew from Toronto, Stephen from Seattle, Pat from Alaska, and two New Yorkers who I don't remember their names. The beer garden we went to was probably all tourists since everything was stereotypically Bavarian, the women in traditional dress, litre mugs of beer and a German band playing (while the Asian tourists were crowded around them singing and dancing along). Then we went to another beer garden where we had some cake, I had a bite of Andrew's Black Forest cake, he got that last slice. It was pretty good but I always though Black Forest cake was more chocolatey and darker, this one had a cream icing and like chocolate cake.

The next day I walked to the big park (don't remember the name) in the middle of the city with the two New Yorkers. There was some nudity (an old man getting some sun) and even surfing. At one of the bridges there is a strong flow of water where people go surfing. Was pretty cool to see.

Then in the afternoon I took a train to Vienna. I have been staying with Florian who has showed me around to most of the sites in town. The first night we went to the cityhall where they have many stands with food from all around the world (India, Croatia, Spain, Hawaii, Japan...) was really neat. And there were also bign screens showing ballet, with classical music playing in the background. Then yesterday we walked around the city centre, saw the opera house (they love opera here), the royal palaces, th big cathedral and went to a museum with the exhibition "Why Pictures Now". It had some really interesting, some beautiful some grotesque photos and video. We got some icecream at an Ice Cafe and in the evening had some dinner at a Turkish restaurant (all across Europe it seems all everyone eats are Kebabs. Kebab house's are as common as Tim Hortons in Canada). The food was really good, and like most European (at least central/eastern European) cuisine it was mostly meat.

Today I will be heading to Budapest and then tomorrow head on a plane to Sofia, Bulgaria. I am really looking forward to seeing Tisho, Becca and Anna Vala again and relaxing on the beaches of the Black Sea. For most of our time there we are staying in this town Nessebar, which is suppose to be one of the oldest towns in europe, established in 6 century BC. Then we will travel north to Varna and then south to Bourgas. My goal is to get a tan on my pasty white legs. I have been trying to bear them to the sun some of my trip but they just don't want to tan. But luckily, so far, I have not been burned at all, so at least hopefully that remains true.

Jeg elske norge

I am in Norway right now and wow... it is absolutely gorgeous. It reminds me of all the most beautiful places in Canada but concentrated in one place. I could see me living here (now I just need a norwegian boy..), it is beautiful but you don't feel isolated. Some of the plants are similar to Iceland, but there are so many trees. Sverre told me that I think the forest has been increasing about 10% per year (a lot of people are getting annoyed with the trees blocking the view now). It is also very mountainous and many lakes. Sadly my digital camera called it quits at Roskilde, but I have been collecting postcards and bought a disposable camera, so hopefully those photos turn out alright.

I started in Oslo which is a very beautiful city which is situated on the water surrounded by many huge hills, and of course trees. I was visiting Frode, he was in Iceland for the first semester, and he drove me to the top of one of the hills, pass the big ski jump, and the richest houses in Oslo, with an amazing view of all of Oslo and the surrounding area. On thursday, when I had the day to myself, I wandered around the city, walked by the royal palace, though didn't see any of the royalty (funny thing in Sweden was they had postcards of the royal family... the son was kind of cute). Then I took the ferry to one of the islands where a lot of the museums are and went to the Kon Tiki museum. This is the museum of Tho Heyerdahl who first conducted the expediton to sail across the Pacific from South America to Polynesia on a a reedboat raft (an made it) to simulate the possibility that Polynesia was populated from the east. Then in 69 and 70 there were the expeditions to sail from Africa to South America, the first attempt the boat fell apart after 2662 miles, and the second time they reached the reefs of Barbados... so it was possible.

Then on friday I took the train north to Åndalsnes, where Sverre would pick me up. the ride up was to beautiful and I met a really friendly norwegian woman named Sigrun. We chatted about Norway, and her time in the US and names (about how when people move around their last name or first name can change, but some norwegians were proud to have american sounding names). Then we parted ways and it was my long journey through the mountains. We passed by a stone bridge (actualy 3 times, the track zig-zagging down the mountain and one of the times over the bridge) then we passed the highest stone face in Europe. When I was united with Sverre he drove us to Trollstigen, this impressive widing road that climbs one of the mountains. they are continuously trying to improve it because tour buses get stuck on the turns sometimes. A really amazing view as well with waterfalls scattered among the rockface and a large one in the center.

Then we were off to Molde, which is known for jazz and roses (the city of roses). I miss the big jazz festival, it is on the weekend of the 17th, when I am in Bulgaria, but maybe I can come back for it next year. (So many places to come back to). On Saturday Sverre and I drove around the area, driving around the mountains towards the sea. We went by sandy beaches along the ocean. Then we crossed the famous bridge, which is a road which is connected to a series of islands. A lot of older men fishing on the edge. Then it was back to Molde to watch the bronze world cup game (Germany won, and they are very happy with being 3rd). Then sunday, Sverre, his friend Aurora and I hiked up the hills near Molde. Was a bit wet but was a lot of fun (again a stunning view from the top).

In between some of this Sverre and I were watching this DVD of a tv show of the norwegian Lars Monsen who travelled across Canada. Though, unlike most people who cross Canada, he was going along the north. He dog sled and canoed most of the way with some walking as well and it took him almost 3 years (he took rests in the peak summer months). Even though it was mostly in Norwegian it was really cool to watch. I hope they have it in Canada with english subtitles. I think Tom would really like the show. Sverre and I then checked out the map of Canada and I was so surprised that Toronto is actually equal with south Italy, and though Norway is equal with Baffin Island, it is much more temperate than northern Canada. While I have been here it was actually in the 30s (though I was told that was rare) and the winters never get insanely cold, and is more like Iceland, where is can be windy and rainy. This is due to the warm Gulf Stream, while central/northern Canada is just ridiculously cold.

Another thing i love about Norway is their brown cheese. Might sound weird, but it is actually really good. I don't know if it would be in Canada. Sverre told me his friend Emily who is from Canada saw some in the scandinavian restuarant she works at in Kingston, but it might be just for the restaurant, but if I can find it, that'd be awesome. Also, Molde has their own soft drink. My favourite is the pear flavour but they also have lime and pineapple (haven't tried those though).

I am really going to be sad to leave Norway, and Europe in general actually. It has just been amazing everywhere I have been. Everyone I have visited and their families have been so generous and kind to me. I will definitely bring back some of this with me to Canada. I have learned so much. (and it is not over yet, 16 days more, though I don't want to countdown).

I am back to Oslo tomorrow and then fly to Munich on Wednesday. Hopefully then will meet with Florian in Vienna on the 13th, then Budapest on the 15th and then flying to Sofia, Bulgaria on the 16th. 9 days in Bulgaria with Tisho, Anna Vala, Becca and friends of Tisho. Relaxing on the beaches and staying in Nesebar, one of the oldest towns in Europe.

I don't know if when I'll have time to write again, but bye for now.

Roskilde Festival

Well I survived the Roskilde Festival. I got there on June 25th and left July 3rd, so a whole week of living out of a tent, portapotties, cold showers or paid hot ones, garbage everywhere, warm beer and crazy 24 hour parties. The whole week was just one big party. Most people were drinking all day everyday. And the bands hadn't even started yet. The night I got there (after 2 hours trying to find my friends among the chaotic camp ground. I had no idea how big the thing actually was) it poured and then rained heavily on and off for the next two days. A big mudfest. Rubber boots became very fashionable throughout the festival. Luckily my tent was waterproof but I couldn't believe how could it would get at night. After getting rid of all my winter clothes in Iceland and travelling around with 30+ weather I wasn't prepared for that.

By the time the bands started though on the 29th, it had dried up and warmed up a fair bit too. On the first day the highlights were Guns 'n Roses, which I thought were pretty good considering Axel had to take a 10 min breather between each song, he still runs around the whole stage, and they were an hour late starting. I felt kind of bad for the band members though because they can never be original, they have to always play the old GNR hits and when the band members tried to play something, like their own solo there was little feedback from the audience. Since GNR were an hour late, which I didn't realise, I ended up missing half of Sigur Rós, which I was hoping to get to early so I could get in front row but had to be satisfied with being squished on the edge and barely able to see. At least the sound was good, and I have seen them twice before (though still..).

The 2nd day there was the Kaizers Orchestra (from Norway) who were amazing. There was so much energy and crazy tunes, they beated metal barrels with crowbars and bats. So much fun. Then there was Bob Dylan, which was really disappointing and I felt really bad for him since so many people waited to see him but after a few songs most of the people left. He just had no energy and didn't play any of his hits. also the camera was set to about 20 meters away from him and the band for the whole show which was really boring to watch. The main highlight of this day was seeing the Scissor Sisters. Wow they were so crazy and so much fun. Even though I was exhausted at this point (they started at 1am) it was so much fun to dance with everyone else to their songs.

The 3rd day the big bands were Deftones and Tool. They were both good but when tool was on I was really tired and still had to wait another 2 hours till HIM came on at 2am. I decided to go back to the tent to have a nap but my clock was wrong and I only got to see the last 10 mins of HIM. Was still good.

The last day was probably one of the best performances. I saw Placebo, a bit of Franz Ferdinand (then went to the Balkan Beat Box) and at 9pm, the last band, was Roger Waters... wow.. that was amazing. The first hour he played random songs from their albums, including one song he wrote about the war in the East. Roger told the story about when he was 17 or so he was hitchhiking in Lebanon and this one family took him in and took care of him. The song was really powerful. Then the second half he played the Dark Side of the Moon. Brilliant. Was so amazing. A perfect ending to the festival.

There were many other bands I saw but I will insert them later when I have more time.

I really enjoyed the music part of the festival though the partying part was a bit too much for me. I couldn't believe how people could go on for so long. Though by Sunday people were starting to slow down and more people were drinking water than alcohol.

I will be going to the Hillside Festival in Guelph when I get back and it will be interesting to see the difference between music festivals in other countries.

Right now I am in Stockholm, Sweden and will be heading to Oslo and then Molde Norway. So I will try and write next in Norway.

Bye for now.
Kelly