SWEDEN

So...

I have just arrived in Sweden this evening. It is a short drive to my friend Eva's parent's house here in Sweden. It was only an hour and most of that drive was over a bridge. I last saw Eva about 15 years ago when she came and stayed with us in Quilcene for a summer. I promised her I would come to Denmark and visit her and well, it only took me this long! But it has been great to see her and even though it was about half of my life-time ago that we saw each other it's like we haven't missed a beat. Her step-father is Henrik Johansen who is a dressage trainer. My mom came to Sweden and spent a summer here working with him and apprenticing 18 years ago (this was also when Denmark beat Germany in the world cup soccer!)!! My mom started riding with Henrik in the early '90s and it is a very cool story because one of Henrik's students had sold her horse to someone in the states and this was Chivas my mom's horse!! So when she heard that there was a Danish trainer coming to her area she was intrigued and started riding with him and to make a long story short Henrik knew Chivas!! So it is a small world and the dressage world is even smaller!! If you are interested in learning more about Henrik's training go to his website and check it out: www.positiveriding.com

Their house is beautiful!! It is set among farms and bright yellow crop fields and there is a lovely view from almost every window in each room in the house. There is even a pool in the house!! It is great to see these guys and even though it has been years the connection between our families is a bond that knows no time. Henrik and Harriett had just returned from the Danish Championships and they got home at just about the same time we arrived so it was a little chaotic but Henrik was sure to give me a tour of their lovely home and make me a gin a' tonic that was perfection!!

I spent a great day in Copenhagen yesterday and can't wait to get back and see more!! After staying at the farm for a couple days my friend Maiken dropped me off at her apartment in the city on Friday evening. It is perfectly located and within walking distance to everything!! I had a nice time walking around that evening, I went back to the town square and took in all the great street performances and found a cheap yet yummy pizza shop and got a slice for dinner then stopped by the local super market to pick up some groceries to hold me over for a few days. :) I had a great time in Copenhagen yesterday! I went to the Botanical Garden that has thousands of different species of plants. It was a nice sunny day to be outside and taking in all the sights and the garden was really pretty!! Then I went to the State Museum of Fine Arts. I think I spent about 3 hrs in there taking in all the art work until my head started spinning!! There was a lot of local Danish art and several different exhibits from different time periods and genres of art. I think my favorite was the modern art and I fell in love with Mattisse! Of course I enjoyed all the old paintings from the collections of classic art as well. So much history!! I love it!! Then I walked through the King's Garden on my way back to my friends apartment and did a quick change and met up with Eva at Norreborge Park for an outdoor music festival!! Great fun and so cool to meet all her friends and just hang out!! Copenhagen truly is a lovely city!! It's not as big as London but I have to admit that since I will be navigating it mostly solo I am kind of glad. There's lots going on and it has a really cool vibe!!

I am in Sweden 'til Wednesday and am meeting up with another girl, Sofie, whom I worked with in Florida. She lives south of Copenhagen by about 2 hrs. and she will show me around that area. Then I will be back in Copenhagen to see some more stuff!! So cool, I will take pics and post them later!!

The rest of my trip is starting to iron out a little bit. I have made all of the hostel reservations for Italy except Venice. Then from Italy I go to Spain! Right now I am trying to decide whether to go to Spain for 2 or 3 weeks and then I was thinking since I am so close I might as well hit up Portugal so then I am wondering if maybe I do 2 wks in Spain and 2 wks in Portugal??? Any thoughts!

That's all for now,

Cheers!