Today we had to leave our first host families from the great town of Lindesberg and move to new families in Västerås. It is hard to believe in such a short time that we would be able to make such good friends. Everyone has been so nice, so thoughtful and very understanding.
Yesterday was a great day. Our friends at the Nora Rotary Club, a small town about 20 miles outside of Lindesberg, started our day by hosting us for a day of Nora history and culture. Nora is a famous for their trains and iron ore.
We arrived at Nora's train depot where we learned about the rail industry in that part of Sweden (originally used to transport iron). Our hosts provided a great tour of the depot and their fine collection of vintage rail cars and locomotives.
Then we took a short train ride to a small community outside of Nora where iron ore was mined. The Nora Rotary Club hosted us for dinner in a unique restaurant that is housed in an old dining railroad dining car. Following that, we had a private tour of one of the iron ore mines. Upon our return, we had Fika (Swedish coffee break) at a historic home and toured the city.
When we returned to Lindesberg, we took part in a Bicycle Party hosted by the Ladies Circle. This is a progressive dinner where multiple couples host different part of the meals at their home and then everyone ends up at a central location for a big party.
Pete and I hosted appetizers with Torbjörn our host. We served shrimp sandwiches, wine and aquvite! Two couples joined us. At the end of our course, we moved onto a different house for the main course and met two more new couples. Our final course was dessert at the home of our good friend Anders Johansson - however, it was his wife, Anna Lina and Joe (our teamleader) were hosting. A big party was held at the Golf Club until the wee hours of the morning. It was a blast (I even danced!).
We were greeted by the Västerås team today and whisked off to a hog farm. It was very interesting operation to learn about and how their animal laws are different than ours.
On a sad note, after one-and-half-months of faithful service, my new digital camera’s life is over. It took a nasty spill today at the hog farm and is no longer working. Sorry mom and dad – I’ll give you a detailed account of its death when I get back. I hope to figure out some sort of solution before then… I really don’t want to be without one.
A few funny things that I have learned or have happened:
1) only American’s wear white socks
2) Sweden has all kinds of unique things for sell in the grocery store – many of them come in a tube (like a toothpaste tube) such as mustard and liver paste
3) Joe taught the hog farmer a new word today “Honey Wagon” – used to deliver hog waste to the fields.
Tomorrow we have our first presentation. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Yesterday was a great day. Our friends at the Nora Rotary Club, a small town about 20 miles outside of Lindesberg, started our day by hosting us for a day of Nora history and culture. Nora is a famous for their trains and iron ore.
We arrived at Nora's train depot where we learned about the rail industry in that part of Sweden (originally used to transport iron). Our hosts provided a great tour of the depot and their fine collection of vintage rail cars and locomotives.
Then we took a short train ride to a small community outside of Nora where iron ore was mined. The Nora Rotary Club hosted us for dinner in a unique restaurant that is housed in an old dining railroad dining car. Following that, we had a private tour of one of the iron ore mines. Upon our return, we had Fika (Swedish coffee break) at a historic home and toured the city.
When we returned to Lindesberg, we took part in a Bicycle Party hosted by the Ladies Circle. This is a progressive dinner where multiple couples host different part of the meals at their home and then everyone ends up at a central location for a big party.
Pete and I hosted appetizers with Torbjörn our host. We served shrimp sandwiches, wine and aquvite! Two couples joined us. At the end of our course, we moved onto a different house for the main course and met two more new couples. Our final course was dessert at the home of our good friend Anders Johansson - however, it was his wife, Anna Lina and Joe (our teamleader) were hosting. A big party was held at the Golf Club until the wee hours of the morning. It was a blast (I even danced!).
We were greeted by the Västerås team today and whisked off to a hog farm. It was very interesting operation to learn about and how their animal laws are different than ours.
On a sad note, after one-and-half-months of faithful service, my new digital camera’s life is over. It took a nasty spill today at the hog farm and is no longer working. Sorry mom and dad – I’ll give you a detailed account of its death when I get back. I hope to figure out some sort of solution before then… I really don’t want to be without one.
A few funny things that I have learned or have happened:
1) only American’s wear white socks
2) Sweden has all kinds of unique things for sell in the grocery store – many of them come in a tube (like a toothpaste tube) such as mustard and liver paste
3) Joe taught the hog farmer a new word today “Honey Wagon” – used to deliver hog waste to the fields.
Tomorrow we have our first presentation. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Here are a few more pic's. I don't have any of Cassie or Kristi's from the party -- I'll try to get some and put them up.
The Nora train depot.
Joe walking with Hans, our host, at the Nora Train Depot.
View looking up the iron ore shaft to the sky at the mine outside of Nora.
The happy GSE Team at the bottom of the mine. Like the hard hats? (left to right: Eric, Pete, Kristi, Joe, Cassie)
Joe at the hotel that the Nora Rotary Club meets at.
The first stop for two of the lucky couples at the Bicyle party. Eric is in the middle. Pete is taking the picture so he is not in it. Our host, Torbjörn is on the far right.
We're heading to our next stop... Kristi was able to take this pic as we passed her and Anders. (left to right, Eric, Pete, Torbjörn)
Pete, Torbjörn and me (Eric). Pete and I stayed with him. I don't remember the random guy who decided to be in the picutre with us.
Eric, Joe and Pete.
5 comments:
....and another great day! Eric, I would think your camera would be covered under the initial 90 day warranty & would be replaced at no charge. They should have a toll-free number (on the net) and perhaps even a local Swedish service center? Jan
Eric! It's so great to read about your adventures. It looks as though you're having a great time and learning lots. The weather looks beautiful there!
It's been cold and snowy here in Wyoming.
Eric - This is so fun keeping track of you more than when you're at work! I'm so excited for your opportunities. Have fun! Marron
Great to see everyone is having such a good time. Dad, you'll have to drink some of that good aquavit for me! And not only did you teach the Swedes a new word, I now know what a "honey-wagon" is too :)
Take care and I look forward to seeing more posts on the blog. Sonya (Joe's daughter)
Hi Eric,
Don't worry about your camera. It sounds like your having a great time. Enjoy every minute of your day because the time will pass quickly.
Love,
Mom
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