To infinity and BEYOND!

My stay in Sweden has been nothing short of incredible!  I have met amazing, diligent, beautiful, open minded, super sweet and caring people here. It took me three whole weeks to find someone who I couldn't get along with in some fashion. I snorkeled with jellyfish, took a "bath" in the harbor in the middle of the night when the clouds are still visible, jogged and swam at Kåsjön fresh water reserve, picked raspberries, boated to the granite islands, rock hopped, danced into the morning, enjoyed a fresh cup of Swedish coffee and mowed a GRAND lawn. I ate: messmör, semla, Swedish meatballs, herbs and vegetables from the garden, lingdon berry, a typical Swedish sandwich, home made kladdkaka and I plan to eat the very seasonally traditional crawfish. I have learned a few cute Swedish inside joke type words, have many stories and a collection of new MUSIC! 

Now I must continue on. School is about to start for my sidekick and "mom-ma" is already back to work. 

It looks like the next step is going to be NORWAY! How? Well, that's the beauty of the next chapter of my journey. I now have one MONTH to get 8 hours away to Stockholm.  The strategy is to plan to leave Gothenburg on Friday August 24th.  Maybe there or before I can find a ride north-ish with out hitch hiking. I have spent WAY too much money here so to buy a bus ride sounds a bit lame when I have so much time to get to the next place. (I have a feeling this is where I learn patience.) I do have a tent and a sleeping bag.  If need be; I will check into my portable tent motel in the forest and use my Swedish "right to roam".  This chapter will be a good one.  I'm sure I will learn a lot.  Part of this chapter will be cutting shampoo out of my routine. After a bit of research I don't think it's necessary.  No, my hair shouldn't be greasy or dirty after a few week adjustment period. This shall be a fun experiment for me! More about that to come later....

So, YES!.. back to the plan. I now have an adventure starting October 1st from Stockholm to Germany with a fellow CouchSurfer.  We're going to do.... something..... for a few days while we get from point A to B. Then, it just so happens that there's this small thing going on... maybe you've heard of it? Oktoberfest?  Nej, I didn't think so.  Well it's supposed to be a good time.  I figured since we'll be in the neighborhood we should check it out.  So that's the agenda so far.  No plans after that, yet.  This chapter is about "one day at a time".

I'm stoked to leave Gothenburg, only because it means I get to experience Norway and the "north".  I want to meet a REAL northern Swede that makes this noise by sucking in air to acknowledge the word "yes".   And yes, there are Eskimos there.  They do kiss with their noses and live in block houses! I CAN'T wait!  

Yeah....... so that's the "plan"! Rad! :) 

I have a new hobby: trying to edit videos when I have no clue how.  Those awesome clips of "living" will be done... some time.  Ah haha!

One more thought!: Please write me a comment with some feedback.  Maybe explain how much this info sucks! Thank you. 

Here are some photos in Gothenburg from my little Hero...   

The real Ikea meatballs!

A special holiday pastry called "Semla" - It was made especially for me!

Chowing down some Semla! - Yum yummers!

Home made kladdkaka. a delish choc cake! - Also my special treat! - Sorry it's so dark.

The "Lion Stairs" on a gorgeous summer night. 4:00 am? Notice it's still light out?

Lion Stairs during the day!

Clouds? Yes, this is cloud heaven!

Ahhh..... it was another gorgeous day! Sunbathing was a must!

My new Norwegian friend!

Crazy, cute Swedes - "brother" and "sister"

Yep, another friend! Sweet pillows too, eh?

Uh oh! That's my "up to no good" face.

So..... What you're saying is, "you've never ridden a frog"?

This is how they greet the sun every morning!

World culture fair

World culture festival

Do you see the guy painting? - This is pretty typical in mid-summer.

Each mailbox has the family name.  So cute! 

The REAL photos will be coming soon!

Ephiphany no. 1,307

I thought about whether I really want to post this or not.  I guess I do.  Usually I would stay classy and just think this but not share it so publicly.  I feel like that's exactly the opposite of what this post is about.  So here she goes....
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The best part about all of this (traveling) is:  I can do what ever I want! There is no political BS in my life any longer.  If I don't want to listen to the words coming out of someone's mouth; I no longer have to. I can just walk away.  If I want to tell someone to take a hike; that is simply what I'll do.  Moving from city to city gives me such great happiness, freedom and bravery. Not to mention; new amazing friends.

A big thanks to the A-holes! Thanks for allowing me to appreciate such a great God given right in FULL spectrum. Thanks for your arrogance, lack of self reflection and using your power like Darth Vader.  It has brought unto me such great joy and I will NOT join the dark side! Instead I shall rise above.

Enjoying the morning sun with one of my new MOST favorite people (after a ride in the park on a frog and a chicken)!

Young, Wild and Free!

Anna and I headed back to the house by Gothenburg.  The next day I toured the town  with a sweet, local CouchSurfer.  We hiked to the highest point of Gothenburg.  (Naturally I didn't have a camera.) Then took a walk by the harbor and later had home made pancakes.  It was a delightful experience coming from the US.

This is one of the HUGE cranes they used during the industrial revolution to build boats with.  I believe it's the only one that still stands since all the boats are now being made in China.  They tore down everything since. This and a couple old buildings  as a reminder of the era. They also have monuments and literature about the history that took place on this side of town.  It was quite fascinating if you ask me.  Maybe that's because of my blood... I'm not sure.

We decided to go out dancing the next night. I guess anyone that knows me know I don't really care to dance.... usually.  This night was different.  It just came naturally.  I was so amped that I was in Sweden, with my cousin and determined to have the time of my life.  It also didn't hurt that they have a blackjack table in most of the clubs. This allowed me to win enough money for Anna and I to have fun that night for free! We danced our pants off as if tomorrow were the end of the Mayan Calendar!

Enjoying some art sculptures in the park... Haha! Truly a great photo of us!

Without going into the details; I ended up taking a "bath" in the harbor down the street that night. The water was calm and again, the perfect temperature.  I floated around a bit on my back and stared at the clouds as I thought to myself, "Self, is this really your life?". Then I thought, "Self, who has it better than us? NO BODY."  

I think no one bothered me while I was swimming because: In Sweden they have a law that you CAN camp, swim or hike basically anywhere. (If it's someone's property you usually ask permission but there is no "trespassing".) I think this makes the people open to living and to letting others live.  Not even the person snoozing on the next sailboat over in a sleeping bag said anything.  I think this was my favorite element when I was reading about Sweden before I came.

We jumped off the higher part of the dock and used the rope on the dingy of that fancy sail boat in the photo to get out of the harbor.  Thanks rich Swede for sharing your boat!  We thoroughly enjoyed it!

The following day Anna and I went back to the summer house to get some work done.  Compared to the normal American, they DON'T stop here! It's clean, eat, laundry, vacuum, mow the lawn, take out the recycle, go shopping, built a BBQ, cook, eat, sleep, coffee, dance, sing, swim, pack, fish ... or whatever! There is no "down time". I love that.   (I must admit that we were also on a mission to get back to the other house ASAP for more good times!)

I felt like a hobbit mowing the shire.  It must have taken me about two or three hours to mow. This is about 1/3 of their lawn! Look at the shape, and dip of that thing! Imagine how thick the grass must be! Ugh, it was an amazing experience.  They do this every two or three weeks like cutting a piece of cheese. Yes, that is the ocean and a small island in the distance.

After mowing the lawn it was time for a super tasty dinner similar to a Shepard's pie but, actually better, because it didn't have so many carbs.

Then....! a late(r) night boating trip!  We started at 6 pm while it was still VERY much daylight! I'm not exactly sure how it happened but I rode on the FRONT of the boat. There is a small compartment with rope and rails to grab onto the boat as you're jumping on board. That would be what I sat on!



Who needs a JetSki when you can just do this?! It was SOOO much fun! ...and here is my first official YouTube post. I just taught myself how to edit in two days! I'm pretty stoked about it!

More posts coming soon!

Swedish Fish

New York was such a great experience! I'm glad I was able to make it there before I left the US.

The plane ride was great! I just wish I was able to sleep a little more.

I guess I shed a few tears before I switched planes in Berlin. It was then that I realized I was about to make my childhood dreams come true.  It was one of the things that I always thought I wanted to do; but I never saw it actually happening.  At the same time I always knew it would happen.  It was a weird feeling.  Knowing that I was making my dream come true. No excuses! Not money, time or how I "couldn't" do it. I was about to meet family I always wanted to know because I bought the plane ticket and at the end of the day I made it happen.

I switched airplanes in Berlin, ran across the airport because the last plane was late. From there it was another short ride to Gothenburg, Sweden.  I felt like such a smelly mess! I still had the same stale clothes on since sweating cats and dogs in New York. I quickly changed my clothes so my cousins could recognize me, grabbed my bags and was headed to customs.

Customs was going to be tricky since I hadn't actually purchased a plane ticket out of the European union. Right? Nope. There was no customs. I guess because I went through it in Germany? I'm not sure but they really didn't look at my passport in Germany either.   ... I guess I was supposed to just walk out.... Right? It seemed too easy but it was real.

There, I met three strangers: Ingrid, Christian and Anna. Well, okay... They're my distant cousins.  I was greeted with three big hugs despite how cruel I smelled.  We jumped into their red Volvo and drove home.  I explained my "day" which was really two days, not sleeping, nor showering and my awesome adventure in New York.  I was relieved by how cool and sweet they all were.

They showed me to my bed.

Oh, wait! I meant: My very own guest house! Saweeeet!!
















I'm so fortunate and grateful for everything!


We had a little "fika" (afternoon swedish style sandwiches, coffee and/or tea and maybe some cookies) and went for an afternoon "bath" in the lake right down the street.  They consider a swimming a "bath".  I think that's quite charming but it makes me feel like I should be bringing my shampoo.

I picked up a GoPro up at the airport in NYC so I could share this and much more with you:

The lake is gorgeous and the water is actually quite warm!

The next morning we packed up our things and headed to their summer house in Kungsbacka, Sweden.  It was a bright, warm, sunny day.  This only leaves one option in the Swede's mind: TIME TO GO BOATING!  Woo hoo!  

We packed up the wheelbarrow with snacks for another "fika", towels, clothes and gas.

 

Anna, Christian with his sprained ankle and our newly named Wilbur the wheelbarrow - Day 1

Off to the granite islands just a short distance from the house!

Their dock - Day 1

Anna and Captian Christian - Day 1

They gave me the honorary Swedish life jacket. How sweet! :) - Day 1

Woohoo! Almost there! - Day 1

 

 Boating and Swimming is a big part of their lifestyle. In school the kids are required to take swimming tests. They basically have to be able to save another's life.

 This would be the first time I've snorkeled in the ocean. They have jellyfish everywhere here.  This particular one stings. They have a blue jellyfish that's friendly. :)

The next day I was feeling a bit under the weather so I slept in a bit then...Boating Day 2!

Christian, his (my) fashionable sunglasses and Swedish coffee around sunset (10:30 pm). - Day 2

It was even more gorgeous in person - Day 2

Peace, quiet and the boat - Day 2

All and all I'm sure you guys know how I felt these few days.  I mean... look at that!! Chapter two of my tales in Sweden coming soon(ish).

The Big Apple

So much has happened that I'm just now stopping to breathe!

A beautiful Manhattan space and cool gifts in process!

I left off where I was leaving for a cross country trip the next day....  That got canceled.  I felt like the timing was off and the group of people weren't the people I wanted to be stuck on the road with for a week.  Instead I ended up wrapping up a few more things in LA, barbequing and enjoying some close friends' company before catching a flight to New York.

New York was an absolute blast! I ended up arriving around 5 am.  I jumped off the plane with my 45lb backpack and found my way around the city to Manhattan where an old friend now lives.

Apparently on Sunday the elevator doesn't work in his building so I carried my backpack up 8 flights of stairs. That was awesome! I did it with no hesitation.  It's kind of ironic because I think the last thing I said to my mom was, "Bye mom. I'm going to go get some calves now." referring to carrying my backpack around the world and all the muscle I would be gaining.

The highline, Manhattan, NYC

We had breakfast then decided we were going to walk from 26th St & 11th Ave all the way across the Brooklyn Bridge and take a nap in the grass on the other side. I guess it was only about 5 miles but after climbing 8 flights of stairs and the humidity it seemed like forever. It was a gorgeous day to make one of my dreams come true in New York.

Brooklyn Bridge, NYC

We took about three hours rest/nap in the grass in Brooklyn then caught the subway back to the Manhattan  From there we packed our things to go stay by Far Rockaway on the 7th floor by the beach.  I passed out as if I had been tranquilized.

The next morning we woke up around 8 am then I headed back to Manhattan solo. I ended up jumping off the subway a couple stops too soon which worked to my advantage.  I found a quaint coffee shop and grabbed a pastry in Greenwich Place then walked down to the beach.  There I rested for a bit and watched all the weird/fit people jogging by.  HA ha!

I ran some errands then grabbed my backpack.  I was now ready to head to the airport.  This time the elevator guy was there! Thank goodness! I walked back to the Penn Station which was about 10 block give or take.  This day was EXTREMELY humid to a LA native. By the time I reached the subway I was not only dripping sweat, it was like the flood gates had opened and I was showering everything in my path.  I felt bad for the pregnant lady I gave my seat to. It wasn't until she looked up a little confused why it was raining that I realized how sweaty I really was.  (I'm sure I have disgusted you all now.)

New York City, I am now in love you too!

Not the best food shot, but this NY pastry was delish!

Here are 10 reasons why:
1. The subway
2. People outside being friendly and active
3. Awesome parks, each with a different purpose
4. The highline in Manhattan.
5. A plethora of history and cobblestone streets
6. The gateway to America's art/fashion culture
7. Bodies of water all around you
8. Many people from around the world visiting
9. COFFEE! The way it should be!
10. Famous pizza and pastries




I found my way to the airport just fine.

Now: NYC -> Berlin -> Gothenburg, Sweden

A journey to see "The Angels"

Oregon was incredible! I was delighted to leave around 6 pm.  This way, unknowingly I would have the opportunity to pass by the magnificent mass of formed dirt they call Mount Shasta at DAWN! Ugh, the beauty is indescribable!

 

 

 

 This is a 360 view just past the marker for the Oregon trail.

Yes, those are camera straps! Film shots are coming soon.

After being in the sun all day I was completely exhausted.  I felt like sleeping as soon as I got in the car but the views kept me entertained and awake.

I landed in Sacramento around 1:30 am.

When I woke up it was 108 degrees outside! Mr. Pigglesworth was not having it. Piggie pool round two was necessary!  This time Emu-head decided he was going to join in.

After this, we scooped up all the cousins in Sacramento and spent a few hours at the river in Columa. Columa is big for it's GOLD and METEORITE! Yep, meteorite, dust that fell from a meteor when it crashed into the earth many miles away a just few months earlier.  Pretty cool, right?

The last surprise from this trip is that cousin Alisa would be joining my on my travels back to LA.  We packed the car said our goodbyes and left Sacramento around 9 pm.  This would put us back in LA around 3 am, except there was construction the whole way home.  We didn't arrive until 4 am.  I slept about three hours.  I was so happy to be back "home" on the couch at my friends' house. I couldn't wait to say good morning and start getting everything ready for an 11 am departure to begin my cross country/around the world trip the next day!

 My first task of the day would be to repack my three suitcases into one, small, lightweight backpack. (Thanks for your help cousin! You helped me keep my focus and I appreciated it.)  Second errand, to take Alisa and pick my mom up from the mechanic so mom can help me move my cars to her house for semi-permanent storage!

My mom and her second cousin, Alisa hadn't seen each other in almost 20 years! That's nuts!  So, I didn't tell my mom Alisa would be joining me. This way I could see the look on her face!  As my mom was introducing me to her mechanic, I said, "hi George. Nice to meet you.  This is my friend Alisa." I guess my mom didn't even see anyone else in the car.  My mom stooped into the car, her reaction was a little late because she had to realize it wasn't just my friend but her long lost cousin.  As soon as that clicked in her brain her mouth immediately dropped wide open and it was all hugs. Yes!! I did my part!

The three of us spent the rest of the day running my lame errands.  Going to the bank, buying one more ring to fake people into thinking I'm married while I'm on the road, picking my bike up and delivering it to a friend's house so they can use it while i'm gone and junk like that.

All and all a very successful two days!  Awesome times!

Oregon, with you I am in love!

 The next day Tim, Emily, the kids and I went to their friend's log cabin/house/mansion on 10 acres right outside bend.  Tim bought some special cut 10 oz new york steaks, kielbasa, shrimp and chicken drumsticks. We barbequed all day in their Traeger (which is apparently some awesome smoker i've never seen or heard of before). Tim is a chef at one of the resorts close by so he really knows how to cook! He had some special combo of herbs and spices. Oh. My. Goodness! It was SO good and SO much food!!

On their 10 acres we took their gigantic greyhound named Dixie for a "walk". This included taking out this go-cart-like ATV out at full speed and watching the dog run along side of us! HaHa! What a trip that was!

I wish I had taken photos so I could show you how big Dixie is and how MUCH food there was!

The next day Emily and I took the girls to the river.  FINALLY, I got to jump into A river! It was freezing cold and the sun was covered by a huge nimbus cloud. It didn't rain but it sure looked and felt like it was going to! The sun came out shortly afterward, the girls made friends and were running around having a great time! It was a glorious day under the sun!

They're so cute after a long day!  ;)

The next day Emily's parents arrived.  She said they had a big van, but MAN! They can fit 14 people in that bus of theirs. They arrived with what seemed like 10 family members! Grandma took the girls to Sun River with everyone else while Emily and I went to run errands!

First stop R.E.I.! Time to buy a tent, sleeping bag, backpack and comfortable shoes! ... but where do I start? What kind of backpack do I need? wheels? no wheels? big? small?? Geeze it was so overwhelming. We asked a guy in camping section where to start. He totally helped out and mentioned that I might want to check up stairs where the luggage and such was.

Upstairs they had a few backpacks that seemed very wrong for what I wanted to do. They also had some backpacks with zippers made to be locked and smaller backpacks that detach for day time use. After weighing out my options and unzipping the few ideal women's backpacks I found one with all kinds of cool pouches and compartments. It seemed perfect! Except, it didn't seem to fit quite right.

I took it back downstairs so the same guy who helped adjust the straps, Velcro and other elements that control how high or low the pack sits on your back.  He also explained how to pack. Put the heavy things closest to your back and along the lumbar and try to keep the pack to 30-40 lbs.  Great tip!

Next stop, sleeping bags! Given that I have no idea when or where I will be along the way it was hard for him to recommend something "ideal".  He said if I was going to be in cold weather all the time I would probably want to go with down.  The thing with down is that it doesn't dry very quickly so, for someone with my plans, it's probably not the best way to go.  We ended up finding an awesome lime green mid-weight mummy bag. I fit in a medium but I got a large to give me a little extra room so I don't feel claustrophobic and I have extra room around my neck the way I like it.

This is what I look like trying on sleeping bags!
(Maybe this is what they were talking about in church with Alisa when two people randomly prophesied butterflies and rainbows to me! haha! Most likely not.)


Now to find a tent. Do I want a one person? two person? how expensive? how heavy?  This got narrowed down quickly.  They only had one or two, one person tents. A two person tent seemed unnecessary since I'm traveling alone and it's more weight to add to my 30-40 lb limit. Plus they're more expensive. So for about $200 it looks like "half dome" is my choice! It's a cute little tent that literally looks like half dome. It only uses two small, lightweight poles for the frame and you crawl in and out of the vertical part of what would be half dome.

For good measure I went and found a pair of lightweight running shoes with good arch support.  These will be my everyday shoes while traveling and carrying the pack.  I found some awesome Brooks for about $100. They had a few different colors: bright blue and white, mostly dark purple with grey or ugly reddish and nasty brownish.  I really liked the bright blue and white but thought these would attract too much attention. So, I got the dark purple and grey.  $700 later, my shopping was finally done!

When we came out of the store it was raining warm chickens.  Okay, maybe not chickens but HUGE rain drops. We ran around the Old Mill in Bend to try some delish organic coffee! It was pretty mind blowingly awesome!  Well worth getting rained on for sure!

After that went to meet up with Emily's family at Sun River Resort where they were staying.  Tim was about to get off work and took the next day off. Party time, right? Right. We snatched up Emily's older brother and we all had brother sister time at a local pool hall.  How fun!  Sorry Emily but me and my brother are way better than you and your brother at billiards!  ;)   All and all, another great night. I think by this time we all finally understood each others' personalities which made the night much better. I feel like some times my personality throws people off where they have to take a minute and figure out what's really going on in my head.  I guess every one is a bit like that though.     

Next day: sun, sun, sun and more sun! We all made it to the water park! It's totally made for kids so they had a 1ft kiddy pool, a sand box, a 4 ft wading pool, two water slides, a lazy river, an Olympic pool for doing laps, a jacuzzi and some other random areas each with their designated purpose. It was fun laying around and swimming with the girls who had life vests so they weren't so dependent on us.

After a few hours of that and lunch it was time to say "goodbye".  I have fallen in love with Oregon.  It must be one of the most gorgeous places on earth. The tap water is so clean and pure, the stars and bigger and brighter than ever, every where you look you are surrounded by beauty.  In July there are snow capped mountains in every direction nestled among immense amounts of pine trees, juniper, blue skies with friendly silver-lined clouds passing by. The people that live there are very active in town. There are many bicyclists, backpackers, people rafting, canoeing, paddle boarding, jogging and enjoying their lives. The trip was everything I hoped for and much more.  I'm now headed back to Sacramento to stay the night rather than driving 20 hours in one shot. 

Cheers to peace, natural beauty and much, much LOVE!  ♥ ♥ ♥

Film shots will hopefully be coming soon!