Birthday Post

I suppose as I age on yet another year and life continues on, that its time for another post. But this on serves as a celebratory post; and a little insight of what else has been happening for the past few weeks.

On the back of a rather stressful few months with internship and university work, its nice to take a breather and have some time to relax. Its been good to unwind over the last two weeks.

Morning of arrival

And one who loves Östersund

On April 22nd I am pleased to announce that I received my first visitor from South Africa. None other than one: Danelle Bosman, after travelling for a fair amount of time arrived in a very sunny Östersund to kick off a 10 day holiday for her. The days leading up to her arriving were bustling with excitement, as we planned what she will be doing etc etc. Needless to say I was excited as she was and looked foreword to her trip. (Did I mention that her trip coincided with yours-truly's birthday, so the prospect of home treats were also something to look forward too)

In a space of 10 action packed days, we did: Easter in Sweden (great concert in an old church btw), skiing in Åre (In short sleeve shirts as the picture demonstrates), Swam in indoor pools, had an outdoor picnic, experienced the towns nightlife, visited museum and historic sites, socialised, enjoyed the outdoors and celebrated a birthday with a mix of cultures.

Skiing in short sleves

Great sunny picnic

Easter concert 

Seeing as it happens just once a year, I feel that a birthday must be described. Bear in mind that the king of Sweden shares his birthday on the same day as I do, which is a big affair. Its also a day of celebration, public holiday on May1 and a huge fire that gets lit all over as Swedes chase away the nasties of winter.

Birthday dinner

The day started with Danelle singing and the standard pictures and coffee when you wake up. Yes, the tradition lives on. After a skype session with folks and present unwrapping, we surged around town and did last minute gift shopping and preperations for the evening began. We made a proper affair of Vetkoek, Mince, Biltong, Apricot jam et al! It went down a treat. (On that note, many thanks goes to Danelle for lugging along Vetkoek mix and grandma's apricot jam). Following the dinner, the group of friends all went to the harbour where a choir proceeded to sing Valborg songs and a HUGE fire was lit up, followed by fireworks. Now this is a way I must recommend to anyone to share a birthday.

What a way to make a fire, size does matter

So, concluding a great few weeks, I must thank Danelle for coming to Sweden and spending valuable time here, she made this break one to remember, and I look foreword to what the future holds for both of us.

And as for the onset of summer; well, if this is how you finish the winter then all I say is: Bring it ON!

Hehe, the wines name is Andrew

Spring is here

How do you tell?
Well, take a look at the following weather report:

'

Its no longer -28, the suns setting at 20h38 and there are the following popping up all over:

Also, snow is melting, the sun is actually warm, there are some great views if you know where to look;

 and while looking, if you know you have too squint for the sun, then you know spring is finally here. 

Thanks God

Åkesjön

Yeehah...Takis in the snow, you can take him outta
SA but you cant get the Saffer out of him!

Sitting with a cuppa Rooibos and a quiet Sunday sudden inspiration struck me to actually catch up on some posts…

Seeing as it’s the only thing to catch with this fishing story.

Just over an hours drive by bus from Östersund, past a town renown for fishing called Krökom is a small outpost called Åkesjön (no I cant pronounce it). Its basically a small wilderness area that is a big snow scooter hotspot. Its yet another a great spot for the Swedish folk to get out and enjoy nature.

View from the hotel room

The trip was arranged through the International Committee at the university (a organisation/dictatorship lead by student(s) to get new internationals and exchange students a chance to experience Sweden fully.) It involved a bus ride to a hotel, lunch, dinner, breakfast and the fishing; all in all a nice package as a whole.

This also coincided with the daylight savings time adjustment, moving all the watched one-hour backwards. So, I set my alarm for an hour earlier to wake up, unbeknown to me my phone adjusted itself automatically for this…needless to say there I am 2 hours head start on the others in waiting for the bus. Great start to fishing.

Four German friends

Once at the destination and a brief lunch later, the fishing was to begin. We were shown the ropes by a hero of mine. Now I don’t say things like this lightly, but our guide was really impressive. A 15 year old girl who rode a snowmobile like a pro, fished like a pro and killed the fish by slamming it on her boots…now this is a daughter if I ever had one!

Awesome snow doggie

Anyway, after finding a spot, drilling a hole manually through ice that was about a metre thick, we get given our “rods”. Seriously, they are about 30cm long and thin as a pencil, yet to be convinced on their purpose. The end has a fishing spoon, single hook…and a maggot. With this we are to conquer fish.

Hole with stupid "rod" thing

So, picture the scene. Lying/sitting next to a hole the size of a football, in snow, freezing, holding a tiny rod and nothing else but the unbridled expectancy of a fish on the end. Needless to say, once again, there were no results except some great photo’s and freezing feet.

And we wait...

So: Until ice melts or I see other people pull up record number fish and of decent size, I remain to be convinced on pimpla (ice fishing in Swedish)

Just a few poses

These snow mobiles are super awesome!

Surprise Visitations

There is never denying where one comes from, and the more you love your roots, the greater the chance it is when returning, even for a short visit. 

This is exactly what I felt in March. A surprise visit home to SA for 10 days was planned and executed with sublime action.

After a 34 hours of transportation (train rides, flights, lay overs) SA presented itself with its awesomeness. Its true what they say, SA is a great country, it really is and even more than ever I am proud to say I am a South African.

Braai time

The motivation for the trip was primarily for my mums 60th and my dads 63rd birthday. It was also time to get some sunshine. I know this was the case when, for the first time in my life there was no difference between my butts white skin colour and the rest of my body :)

Mums 60th laughs

Dads birthday dinner

So: To fill a week: Family time, Braai time, running time, dinner time, party time, sunshine time.

And some realisations: 

SA is fantastic

Sunshine is never over rated

If you have 7 hours layover, do something about it

Drink lots of water on a plane

Ethiopian Airlines is not that bad

Family is fantastic

Spend more time with friends

South Africans really do know how to braai

Water can break cars

Bad water...

Late winter sunshine

Since the last post, temperatures have risen in general, sunlight now lasts longer than 3 minutes a day, one university course has come to and end and a few thousand miles have been travelled in between.
So its time for a few winter pictures till the next post of what updates there are:

Thanks friend Kai for this great ski pic

Östersund in the late afternoon in winter

Nice view of a piste for skiing

Standing under a frozen waterfall...those things freeze here

Friends in a Sunny day ( - 5 ) having a grill in the Vinterpark

Östersund, vinterstaden...

Welcome to Östersund, the vinterstaden (Winter City)...a place where the wind is so cold it gives you brain freeze...

New year, new experiences

An so February dawns and yet time for another update from the land of the nordic sunshine, which co-incidently shines for more than 2 minutes a day here this time of year.
Its been a while since the last update on every day life, to which the cliche' can be thrown about; that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
So bearing that in mind, there are new experiences that one needs to constantly seek out to keep the mind and body sharp and eager.
January 2011's second week started with and exam back at university and a new module of work, Research Methods. The exam was passed and the new module, research methods is in full swing trying to come to grapple vague understandings of epsilons and standardised F-tests, taught by a genius Austrian lecturer, but one who I cant help stifle a laugh every time he talks about the "Thrid (pronounced: turd) variable".
In the midst of the standard academia, I have had some changes to the way of living, with my apartment having a few nips and tucks, in the process becoming more of a place to really enjoy staying in, additions including a microwave (thanks folks for the great Christmas present), a Persian knock of carpet, new bedding and additional mattress that can in a jiffy look like a couch and a few pictures put up. I am now proud to call it a place to rest my head. It has though in the last two or so weeks, also been residence to a mysterious few creatures that think my blood tastes great. After exterminators have been in, declared that they cant find or have no idea what it is, its still a mysterious new addition to the home, I think I need to give it a name...like Abadddon or something.
On that note, please dont ever think that by moving to a first world country, that you escape the "roughness" of Africa. One still cant drink the tap water without boiling it due to a parasite in the water, mysterious bugs in the entire apartment block and healthcare system thats up to bollocks. Sweden can always provide some sort of entertainment.

Escapes from this town are always a highlight; and one highlight of every students calendar in this part of the world is Skiweek. Four days, supposedly sometime in the coldest weeks of the year, of an escape to a skiresort, by a few thousand students, for skiing and all other fun and games that students get up to. Now, students in South Africa and students in Sweden are exactly the same, the only differences being the language spoken and the beer way more expensive.

Friend Kai and I enjoying a snowbeer

My experience was a great one though, we rented a cosy cottage approximately 2 kms from where the main parties are at and created a "safehouse" for ourselves and anyone else wanting to escape the debauchery of Skiweek...and a safehouse it was. Log cabin, fireplace, sauna, huge flat screen tv, surround sound and an xbox. The best idea of skiweek was this safe house, frequented by a few souls who needed to escape. Fond memories were formed there.

Its the best pic I could find of skiclothes and helmet

But enough of the house, the main purpose, contrary to what some may argue being beer, woman or parties, was actually skiing, and what a great sport it is! Its not a cheap activity but hells bells its worth every penny! Gliding down mountain, faintly in control overlooking magical scenery wind rushing past your ears is an experience that every person needs to try experience. Even Africans can learn to ski, granted many tumbles, snow in the face and facing-near-death moments later, but it can happen, it did happen and oh my greatness its great fun when it does happen.

Super good
looking car

"My" Honda, in the snow!!

Ski pic..."yust like Sveden"

So, with January out the way, February half way done and the year slipping by, things tick along nicely, cross country skiing still goes on well, the "vinterparken" has opened up, with beach chairs in the snow and crazy swedes to go sunbathing in -14, academia continues, as does life back home.

From a city of ever increasing hours of sunlight, farewell.