The sign on the gate, part propaganda and part cruel joke, that the prisoners see before they enter the camp translates as "work sets you free." Dante saw a more apt sign on the Gates of Hell, "Abandon all hope - You Who Enter Here."
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Sachsenhausen
Me and Cass went on a tour today to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp just outside of Berlin.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Santos's Scraps
Since Cass has been doing such a wonderful job of blogging about our progress, I thought I'd just chip in with the occasional scrap of information and impressions in a segment I will now call: Santos's Scraps.
There was frost the day we left Sweden that left the grass slightly gray and crystalline and a light mist hung over the lake. In terms of natural scenery, I think Sweden will be one of the most beautiful places we'll visit on our trip.
Apparently trains can drive inside ships which will sail you across a lot of water and then just keep chugging along when they reach the other side. Who knew? Not me and Cass, who almost stayed in the train, which would apparently have been very illegal.
Berlin. Incredible history and culture, also incredible currywurst. Which is better? Which will still be appreciated 100 years in the future. Only time will tell. Will continue to sample both and let you know if a clear winner emerges.
Auf Wiedersehen.
P.S. When Cass comes to Sodertalje, it makes the papers. They love her over there.
There was frost the day we left Sweden that left the grass slightly gray and crystalline and a light mist hung over the lake. In terms of natural scenery, I think Sweden will be one of the most beautiful places we'll visit on our trip.
Apparently trains can drive inside ships which will sail you across a lot of water and then just keep chugging along when they reach the other side. Who knew? Not me and Cass, who almost stayed in the train, which would apparently have been very illegal.
Berlin. Incredible history and culture, also incredible currywurst. Which is better? Which will still be appreciated 100 years in the future. Only time will tell. Will continue to sample both and let you know if a clear winner emerges.
Auf Wiedersehen.
P.S. When Cass comes to Sodertalje, it makes the papers. They love her over there.
Monday, 17 October 2011
Sweden - Denmark - Germany
Hey everyone! I was going to post the Skansen pictures as promised yesterday, but apparently we didn't upload them properly so that will have to wait until tomorrow. Instead, let me tell you a bit about our journey from Sweden to Germany, via Denmark.
Due to us leaving the buying of tickets a tad late, our initial travel plans were changed slightly. Instead of taking the night train from Stockholm to Malmo on Friday night, then several trains from Malmo to Berlin in order to arrive at 2.30pm Saturday arvo, we took the entire journey on Saturday. Although this meant that we arrived in Berlin at the unfortunate hour of 11.15pm Saturday night, it was much cheaper and meant that we were able to spend more time with Meggi, Torgny and Matilda (and Snoddas).
The train is an awesome way to travel - it's fast, cheapish, comfortable and it meant that we were able to see more of the countryside. For me, the best part of the journey was from Copenhagen to Hamburg - the train chugs onto a ferry, where it stops and everyone has to go topside for a journey of perhaps 45 minutes. It was a fantastic sight, though cold. Plus there was duty free! However, we restrained ourselves (Santos restrained me) and didn't buy anything.
As you can see, we only took photos on the ferry. You will have to imagine the rest!
Today we did a really good (and free) walking tour of Berlin with New Berlin Tours. Our guide, Sadie, was super enthusiastic and super informative. We saw the Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz, the Reichstag building (albeit from a distance), the Jewish memorial, the old Luftwaffe building, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and much much more. I took 118 photos, which I have culled down to 109. Tomorrow evening I will try and blog about today, which I will divide into two separate posts. And don't worry, I won't upload all the photos! Tomorrow we are going on another walking tour, which is about the Cold War, spies, the KGB and the CIA. Can't wait!
Cass and Santos
xx
Due to us leaving the buying of tickets a tad late, our initial travel plans were changed slightly. Instead of taking the night train from Stockholm to Malmo on Friday night, then several trains from Malmo to Berlin in order to arrive at 2.30pm Saturday arvo, we took the entire journey on Saturday. Although this meant that we arrived in Berlin at the unfortunate hour of 11.15pm Saturday night, it was much cheaper and meant that we were able to spend more time with Meggi, Torgny and Matilda (and Snoddas).
The train is an awesome way to travel - it's fast, cheapish, comfortable and it meant that we were able to see more of the countryside. For me, the best part of the journey was from Copenhagen to Hamburg - the train chugs onto a ferry, where it stops and everyone has to go topside for a journey of perhaps 45 minutes. It was a fantastic sight, though cold. Plus there was duty free! However, we restrained ourselves (Santos restrained me) and didn't buy anything.
As you can see, we only took photos on the ferry. You will have to imagine the rest!
Today we did a really good (and free) walking tour of Berlin with New Berlin Tours. Our guide, Sadie, was super enthusiastic and super informative. We saw the Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz, the Reichstag building (albeit from a distance), the Jewish memorial, the old Luftwaffe building, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and much much more. I took 118 photos, which I have culled down to 109. Tomorrow evening I will try and blog about today, which I will divide into two separate posts. And don't worry, I won't upload all the photos! Tomorrow we are going on another walking tour, which is about the Cold War, spies, the KGB and the CIA. Can't wait!
Cass and Santos
xx
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Recap
Hello everyone!
Apologies for the blogging absence - when Santos and I haven't been out doing stuff, we have been spending time with Torgny, Meggi and Matilda (and Snoddas!!), my old host family. Or else we have been busy being lazy, haha. Here is a bit of a recap of what we have been up to lately.
A Day at Stendorren (The Stone Door)
A few days after we arrived, my host family offered to take us out to Stendorren, a beautiful place about 20 minutes from Sodertalje. Meaning the Stone Door, Stendorren is an archipelago consisting of forest and, well, stone. It's a popular spot for picnicking and camping Swedes, especially in summer. We took the family dog Snoddas with us, who demonstrated crazy rock jumping abilities. This is especially odd as he is afraid of the stairs at home!
I <3 Kanelbullar
I really, really do. Cinnamon buns are an extremely popular sweet in Sweden and it is easy to see why - they are amazingly awesome. Since coming back to Australia after my exchange year, I have attempted to make kanelbullar twice and both times they didn't turn out quite right. When I made them with Matilda one evening, they were perfect. Santos ate 8 of them that night, and then had about 6 a day after. So good!
Skansen
Last week Santos and I also headed to Skansen, the open air zoo and historical area in Stockholm. With pure skill (and pure chance!) we decided to visit on the 125th anniversary of Skansen, meaning that entry was 1 SEK, the original price of entry back in 1886. Despite being extremely cold, it was extremely cool (word play). Santos saw his first moose, first brown bear, first bison, first wild boar, first reindeer, first lynx, first squirrel and first wooden house with grass on the roof. With much less skill than previously demonstrated, we somehow forgot my camera and had to resort to taking pictures on Santos' phone, which I will have to upload at a later date.
Vasamuseet + Stockholm
Santos and I also decided to visit the Vasa Museum, a huge building that houses the Vasa, a massive ship that sunk on its maiden voyage back in the 1600s. The King who commissioned it apparently kept changing the design and insisting on there being two levels of cannons, the first ship of its kind to do so. Due to this and the oversize masts, the Vasa was extremely top heavy and was too narrow to accommodate the required amount of ballast. Consequently, the ship overturned in the first squall it encountered, very soon after it set sail. Fifty sailors lost their lives. The ship was unable to be pulled up at the time, and its location was lost in history. However, it was found again in the 1950s (I think) and was slowly dredged and pulled onto dry land. Due to the nature of the waters of its resting place, the ship was almost totally preserved and has been painstakingly restored. It is a beautiful sight.
Will update again soon!
Cass and Santos
xx
We are now in Berlin, at the Amstel House youth hostel. It's not super luxurious, but we have our own room, breakfast is 5 euros and there is free wifi in the lobby. I will post more about our adventures tomorrow.
Apologies for the blogging absence - when Santos and I haven't been out doing stuff, we have been spending time with Torgny, Meggi and Matilda (and Snoddas!!), my old host family. Or else we have been busy being lazy, haha. Here is a bit of a recap of what we have been up to lately.
A Day at Stendorren (The Stone Door)
A few days after we arrived, my host family offered to take us out to Stendorren, a beautiful place about 20 minutes from Sodertalje. Meaning the Stone Door, Stendorren is an archipelago consisting of forest and, well, stone. It's a popular spot for picnicking and camping Swedes, especially in summer. We took the family dog Snoddas with us, who demonstrated crazy rock jumping abilities. This is especially odd as he is afraid of the stairs at home!
Meggi with Snoddas, me, Santos and Torgny. All rugged up and ready!
Santos. Contemplative.
Matilda!
I <3 Kanelbullar
I really, really do. Cinnamon buns are an extremely popular sweet in Sweden and it is easy to see why - they are amazingly awesome. Since coming back to Australia after my exchange year, I have attempted to make kanelbullar twice and both times they didn't turn out quite right. When I made them with Matilda one evening, they were perfect. Santos ate 8 of them that night, and then had about 6 a day after. So good!
Skansen
Last week Santos and I also headed to Skansen, the open air zoo and historical area in Stockholm. With pure skill (and pure chance!) we decided to visit on the 125th anniversary of Skansen, meaning that entry was 1 SEK, the original price of entry back in 1886. Despite being extremely cold, it was extremely cool (word play). Santos saw his first moose, first brown bear, first bison, first wild boar, first reindeer, first lynx, first squirrel and first wooden house with grass on the roof. With much less skill than previously demonstrated, we somehow forgot my camera and had to resort to taking pictures on Santos' phone, which I will have to upload at a later date.
Vasamuseet + Stockholm
Santos and I also decided to visit the Vasa Museum, a huge building that houses the Vasa, a massive ship that sunk on its maiden voyage back in the 1600s. The King who commissioned it apparently kept changing the design and insisting on there being two levels of cannons, the first ship of its kind to do so. Due to this and the oversize masts, the Vasa was extremely top heavy and was too narrow to accommodate the required amount of ballast. Consequently, the ship overturned in the first squall it encountered, very soon after it set sail. Fifty sailors lost their lives. The ship was unable to be pulled up at the time, and its location was lost in history. However, it was found again in the 1950s (I think) and was slowly dredged and pulled onto dry land. Due to the nature of the waters of its resting place, the ship was almost totally preserved and has been painstakingly restored. It is a beautiful sight.
The Nordiska Museum, which we didn't go into. But it is prettier than Vasamuseet.
A replica of the ship, with replica people shouting in horror as it goes down.
Santos and his fellow villager, horrified as they learn of the fate of the Vasa.
Santos, chilling out and eating pea soup with a crazy man.
Cass and Santos
xx
We are now in Berlin, at the Amstel House youth hostel. It's not super luxurious, but we have our own room, breakfast is 5 euros and there is free wifi in the lobby. I will post more about our adventures tomorrow.
Friday, 7 October 2011
Sweden: A Quick List
Lots of things to write about, but the computers about to run out of power and me and Cass have got to run as well, so a quick list for now.
1. Cass's old host family live in an incredible house in the middle of a forest. It's like living in a fairytale. I looked out the bedroom window this morning and saw a swan in the lake (yes, there is a huge lake in their backyard).
Me: Cass, there's a swan in the lake! And I can see a horse!
Cass: (Casually, because that's just what you see here) Yeah.
2. Everyone here speaks English, and they speak it well.
3. Stockholm. Incredible.
4. Fika. A Swedish custom where you sit down, have a coffee and some food (like these delicious cinnamon buns) with friends. Very nice custom.
5.
A photo of Cass since she neglected to put one up of herself. The royal castle is about 50 meters to Cass's right.
6. I love this country. Even if it is freezing.
1. Cass's old host family live in an incredible house in the middle of a forest. It's like living in a fairytale. I looked out the bedroom window this morning and saw a swan in the lake (yes, there is a huge lake in their backyard).
Me: Cass, there's a swan in the lake! And I can see a horse!
Cass: (Casually, because that's just what you see here) Yeah.
2. Everyone here speaks English, and they speak it well.
3. Stockholm. Incredible.
4. Fika. A Swedish custom where you sit down, have a coffee and some food (like these delicious cinnamon buns) with friends. Very nice custom.
5.
6. I love this country. Even if it is freezing.
05 Oct: Stockholm
Yesterday Santos and I took the train from Sodertalje into Stockholm, a trip of about 30 minutes. It feels slightly surreal being back in Sweden - everything is familiar yet unfamiliar, all at the same time. While in Stockholm, I attempted to show Santos a few of the sights and introduce him to a few Swedish customs. We wandered around the city, shopped for a beanie at H & M, saw inside Kulturhuset, took the tunnelbanan (subway/metro) to Gamla Stan (Old Town), wandered around the old nobility island, saw the castle and then walked back into the city centre along Drottninggatan. We also had a traditional Thursday lunch of ham and pea soup with a side of pancakes and had cinnamon buns for fika. After Stockholm we came back into Sodertalje and had dinner at my friend Erica's house, where I met her very soon-to-be husband Patrik. All in all, it was a very fun (but long) day!
Possibly parliament, possibly some other government building, possibly nothing at all.
Evert Taube
The old Ordnance Datum point - a silver rod locked behind an iron door. Which Santos tried to open.
Santos running away.
Itinerary
04 Oct - 05 Oct: Fly from Perth to Sodertalje, via Singapore, London Heathrow and Stockholm
05 Oct - 14 Oct: Sodertalje
15 Oct - 21 Oct: Berlin
21 Oct - 23 Oct: Dresden
23 Oct - 28 Oct: Prague
29 Oct - 31 Oct: Venice
31 Oct - 06 Nov: Rome
07 Nov - 12 Nov: Paris
12 Nov - 17 Nov: Bordeaux
18 Nov - 26 Nov: Lisbon/Northern Portugal
27 Nov - 03 Dec: Madrid
04 Dec - 09 Dec: Marrakesh
10 Dec - 12 Dec: Travel/Lisbon
12 Dec - 19 Dec: London
20 Dec - 21 Dec: Fly home to Perth, via Singapore
05 Oct - 14 Oct: Sodertalje
15 Oct - 21 Oct: Berlin
21 Oct - 23 Oct: Dresden
23 Oct - 28 Oct: Prague
29 Oct - 31 Oct: Venice
31 Oct - 06 Nov: Rome
07 Nov - 12 Nov: Paris
12 Nov - 17 Nov: Bordeaux
18 Nov - 26 Nov: Lisbon/Northern Portugal
27 Nov - 03 Dec: Madrid
04 Dec - 09 Dec: Marrakesh
10 Dec - 12 Dec: Travel/Lisbon
12 Dec - 19 Dec: London
20 Dec - 21 Dec: Fly home to Perth, via Singapore
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