On the train

7/17/18

Living in a big city in Europe so far for me has been a test of patience and an encouragement for me to SLOW DOWN.  It takes 30 minutes on average to walk, bus, or take the train to anything I want to do or see.  5 miles?  38 minutes.  3 miles?  28 minutes.  I have found it a bit of a waste of time and a test of my patience.  I have to transfer just often enough to not feel comfortable burying my head in a book.  It is too loud to listen to my audio books or music (my sensitive ears get sore from loudness in my earbuds.) Today, I found my Swedish flashcards at the bottom of my bag.  What a great solution!  I can pay attention to people, landscapes, and my next transfer while also learning the language that I told myself I would.

I am learning a lot about the differences as well of where to purchase things!  The current flat at which I am staying blew a fuse the other day. The nearest hardware store is 30 km away. I talked to some people in town and showed them what I was looking, and they directed me to the grocery store.  Who directed me to a different store that I didn’t understand because I couldn’t find it.

I decided it was too hot to keep wandering around downtown (84 degrees Farenheit+) and I’d just wash the dishes by hand and find a different plug for any kitchen electrics.  I went to the train station to renew my pass, and my credit card didn’t work.  He sent me to the machine to buy one, which also didn’t work.  Then I was sent across the street to a convenience store, who was able to process my credit card and my pass.  I finished my transaction, started walking out the door, and on a whim, asked if he knew where I could get a fuse.  They had one in the back that was extra, and gave it to me!

I was so grateful.  It has actually turned out a few times on this trip that when I get frustrated because things are not going well, something easier and better comes along, if I just keep my patience.

To celebrate and reground, I decided to walk to a nearby lake (3 km away) and go for a swim.  The trail I

Söderbysjön. The main swimming area has people, but anyone can walk anywhere around the lake to take a more private swim.

ended up taking was beautiful, and I found another series of biking city trails through parks that I can start using on a regular basis to get places and to exercise (think Cannon Valley trail in Red Wing or River Road trail in Minneapolis.)  Here are the pictures from the more rustic areas and Söderbysjön (sjön =lake).

With love,

Dawn

Swans

Side area at Söderbysjön

Post-swim at Söderbysjön