My last day in Gothenburg

So long, farewell Gothenburg

The last few days in Gothenburg have been really odd. I have grown to feel like Gothenburg is my home and so it was weird thinking that I would be back in England soon! So this is my last day and its been glorious sunshine all week except today... I think the rain is my sign Gothenburg is sad! Ha!

We have had some amazing food out recently, in order not to buy too much for our cupboards to go to waste. Gothenburg knows how to do cafes and restaurants.

I will honestly miss Gothenburg, its just turning to summer here and the days are really, really long. For example, the other night when me and Josh went out... the only time it was dark was when we were waiting in the queue at about midnight because arriving in the city center it was still sunny (about 10pm) and once we left at about 4am it was light! Where was the nighttime? 

I am so lucky to have lived here over the last few months and see Gothenburg transform from Winter to Spring/Summer. There once was ice in the sea and now the trees are full of blossom and its stunning. All the people here are sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and it makes me happy. 

I just hope when I'm back in England I can sort my life out! I need a job badly and this damn applying process just means I can never get a foot in the door. I have applied to many places now so *fingers crossed*. SEE YOU IN ENGLAND THIS SATURDAY.

I swear I am going to ninja hug all of my friends. I miss them so much :)

Goodbye Gothenburg or

Adjö Göteborg, till nästa gång.

this is all a bit lame (the race)

So I bought these wind up toys for Josh and one night we raced them. ha!

Yes this is what five year olds do. I like that. Also snail and stegosaurus are weirdly the same speed and have become our recent drinking game bet. 

Thats all :)

Språkcaféet

Språkcaféet (Language Cafe Gothenburg)

 The basics: This is a language cafe that is in the middle of the city center, it sells well-priced coffee and cakes in a charming little cafe with Internet wifi too. 

Its real benefits are the fact at 5:30 pm every weekday they host a language evening whereby you can go along and sit at a table with your countries flag on and talk to people in your native language or learn a new language. 

 History: Apparently the cafe started when lots of Spanish-speaking immigrants came over to Sweden in the 1970s and therefore they would get together to learn to speak Swedish whilst also finding other Spanish-speaking people in the city. Then the Language cafe started to continue the idea of people coming together to share their language. 

If you ever are in Sweden, for more information go to the Goteborg tourist information.

Run Forrest RUN!

The Gothenburg half marathon (which is still 21 km, so doesn't seem like a HALF-marathon at all)

The half marathon in Gothenburg is a massive event. The main roads are all closed and all the hotels and surrounding hostels are fully booked with people! There were so many people involved that when we sat and watched the marathon from above, we saw a constant crowd of runners for 5 hours straight.  This also meant the floors were covered in the sponges that the runners had used to mop their brows and then dropped on the floor, it looked like they were running on cake!

Also there were bands everywhere playing music for the runners and the drinking came out in force from spectators.

Also a special well done to the bee that ran in complete head-to-toe costume in the heat. He/she must have been absolutely baking!

Things I learnt:

1.  Seagulls in Gothenburg are cocky BIG things that make friends with Josh very easily.
2. Sunshine makes everything fantastic
3. I like wearing waistcoats on days out as I feel like a proper dapper lass.
4. Give me a few ciders during the day and I hug giant posters of cider
5. Don't take beer off random men with kegs in the streets as they tell you within only a few seconds that they are criminals who are going to import beer from abroad and sell it for profit for his drug trade... after he just got out of jail.
6. The clubs in Sweden have epically long queues and people do anything to push in - including a group of women trying to convince the people they pushed in front of in the queue I was their friends, even though I spoke no Swedish!! I some how don't think the people believed her... and she left.
7. Don't tell yourself you will give up eating chicken nuggets and then go on a night out. 
8. Don't ever challenge Josh to do a marathon five days before the marathon is meant to begin. He will attempt this.
9. If a man asks you to 'jive' in a club this actually means that he wants to lift you up. 
10. I got wimpy and wouldn't steal the marathon t-shirt so Josh had too. Hooraaayy a sweaty t-shirt!

 

oh happy days

The sunshine is back.

*Big cheer*

and I'm "na na na na looovvvingg ittt" (this in my head is sung like the Mcdonalds advert)

To be fair these pictures speak for themselves, but our day consisted of: 

* Thai food - I have suddenly had a craving for Duck Pancakes (I feel bad for ducks but they are so delicious) and my stomach definately wears the trousers in our relationship. I'm a skinny mini but I like my food. I don't think I have ever dieted in my entire life, other than cutting down on eating purely chicken nuggets and junk food for a whole week, so we went to find a Chinese takeaway place. Apparently there are not many of these in Gothenburg. In fact, the take aways in Gothenburg often are limited to Pizza takeouts. But we found this cute little Thai Restaurant which smelt fantastic. Josh and I always try and support little places as we find it better than giving just another fiver to a big chain company. This place was so hidden away that the toilet was actually also the people's bathroom. BUT it was fantastic food and considering it was all non-translated it was like ordering a suprise meal.

* Freckles - This speaks for itself. I have a face that does not tan.. however I do get freckles. I have never worked out why? Considering my mum tans like a god.

* A monkey busker - There seems to be the same man who plays various instruments along the Avenyn dressed in a monkey outfit. I like his style and I decided to take his picture. Maybe one day he will know I am his biggest fan.

* A giant egg - We stumbled across a giant egg statue and like big kids... we wanted to climb it. It did kinda smell like pee but it was like the inside of one of those curly wurly shells where the inside is full of compartments. One of my favourite films when I was younger was Doctor Dolittle 1967 but not that AWFUL modern one. That featured this giant sea snail... this was the most exciting thing for me ever.
(Click the link above and go to 0:15 seconds in for the giant sea snail)

* The most beautiful buildings

* Reasearching about places to go in Asia (SO EXCITED) - Last weekend we finally took the plunge and booked tickets to ASIA for October 2011. I'm so excited I could literally scream! We are planning to go to Laos and Vietnam and then mainly stick around Malaysia. YIPPEEEE.

* Applying for marketing/media/publishing/journalism/arty jobs - I have decided its time for me to start applying for jobs I actually might be good at/ I would enjoy. I really still don't know what to do, and how picky can people be when it comes to finding their dream job at 22 and especially in this rubbish recession playing field???

* Språkcaféet - A language cafe for people wanting to enjoy the strong Swedish Coffee and speak to people in their own language. Seriously... what a brillaint idea!

* Cute little cafes in winding streets 


And now for out last weekend in Gothenburg!! Its gone so fast.

Here is to:

oh happy happy days

Zadar the town with really shiny floors

Part 2 of my birthday trip!

Zadar

 Zadar is a town that is mainly contained in a big peninsula sticking out into the water, therefore there are lots of winding streets and hidden bars and restaurants in a very small space. OH, and the best icecream I have tasted in a while is found here (the picture below does not show their full glory... stacked high we had to gobble them down before it was photo time!)

So on day two... we ate out in this tiny little restaurant that served amazing steak and they seem to always serve wine by big litres bottles. But we were more interested in the ridiculously shiny, shiny streets which resembled a yellow brick road moment... but instead of leading to the Emerald City it leads to these amazing views across to the islands. This city is so beautiful and really worth a good exploring because around every corner there are the most amazing views.

Also its all only about 15 minutes from Bibinje and its only a short bus ride. Horray!

However, being just recently students, we had to lower the tone in the evening with some good old-fashioned drinking games. My favourite: KINGS CUP.

 (I practically have these memorised, who am I kidding... I do have them memorised)

2 = you, 3 = me, 4 = floor, 5 = guys, 6 = chicks, 7 = heaven, 8 = nominate, 9 = rhyme, 10 = waterfall, 

Jack = eye master, Queen = bitch card, King = King's cup!, Ace = make up a rule.

This might explain the licking of elbows, flashing and me hiding in a cupboard for a whole round. (hello mum again)

Zadar is stunning. Thats enough persuasion to go right?

burger and cocktail and i'm there

Hard rock cafe and virtual bowling

The hard rock cafe down the Avenyn in Gothenburg is a tad pricey (only really a few krona more than the pubs!) but you get massive burgers and brilliant cocktails... plus free virtual bowling!

Plus the chips there are perfect and you are surrounded by clothing and records from past rock stars... we sat next to the jacket Elvis Presley wore! Its a cool place for some beefy American food and a chance to show off the bowling skills! Or in my case... to loose spectacularly. Even though I definitely had more strikes I also had many gutter bowls! Bowling is difficult for my weakling arms.

I have the smallest wrists ever.

peek peek at baby chickens

 Slottsskogen

It may be after Easter but these baby chickens arrived a tad late. 

These adorable little things are part of the Gothenburg free petting zoo in Slottsskogen. This is a huge park complete with seal sanctuary, pony riding, big open spaces (as parks do), duck feeding ponds, petting zoo and the Natural History Museum. Apparently every summer they also host a big festival here.

I'm going to be honest... I really want a pet Chicken. They are possibly the funniest looking animal and I love their squeaks and tweets. Apparently if you are around when a baby chicken hatches then they just assume you are their mother. Right... time to go get some chicken babies where I can be the leader in a game of prance around the garden. Has anyone seen that film when we were younger Fly Away Home, when the geese follow her on the long migration? Thats going to be me, but with chickens and a bit older and without the flying car thing (but maybe with those dungarees)! Also, eggs in the morning? Need I say more! (Except I HATE hard bolied eggs.. they really freak me out.)

Basically when I'm older and cooler I'm going to get chickens. 

eurovision fever

The BBC site

So its that time of the year again... cringy and terrible spring to mind. HOWEVER this year, like most others I will be watching all those awful songs and playing the infamous drinking game.

The drinking game goes a little like this: 

Pick a country other than the UK - or country of origin - and then whenever that country receives points you have to drink that amount of fingers. For the country of origin everybody drinks whenever they receive any amount of points as a celebration that you have received points in a terrible singing competition.

You have to surely have a sense of humour to watch this kind of stuff!! 

I mean... how can we forget these CORKERS??

2000 winners: Denmark - Olsen Brothers - Fly On The Wings Of Love (I swear this was turned into that really popular dance track... wow)

2006 winners: Finland - Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah (seriously one of the best! ha ha!)

2009 winners: Norway - Alexander Ryback - Fairytale (this is freakishly catchy but definitely not making it onto my Ipod anytime soon!)

And whats scary are that these were the winners! I don't mind though... and in the spirit of things I may even cheer along for Britain even though everyone hates us!!

That's my Saturday sorted!

Bibinje (or Bibin-YAAAAY)

 The birthday trip 

For my birthday we flew to Croatia, and boy was it beautiful!

We were staying in this cute little hostel in Bibinje (just outside Zadar). It was so isolated that we were surrounded by the sea like we were on our own little island. The coast around Croatia is called the Dalmatian coast because there are so many islands... that from above it can look like the coat of a Dalmatian. Also the sea is so clear and you can see the islands from the mainland.

There isn't much in Bibinje... but that's why we liked it! You can hop between little cafe/bars, admire the coastline and the there is also a bus to Zadar every hour or so (on Sunday this is a lot less!). The restaurant we went to sold home-baked pizza and 1 litre bottles of wine that was all delicious and fresh. There is also a small market that you find down the side streets that sells most general supplies.

The holiday started in style with 11am drinks in the airport with a woman who didn't know how to make jaeger bombs so me and Holly had to grin and bare the weirdest morning drink. Then once arriving into the heat of Croatia we were greeted with some taxi men who gave me free Birthday cherries as apparently they had hand-picked an entire carrier bag that day. Eve was our test-goat for these cherries. After a quick squeal at the hostel and explore... we hunted out food. The evening consisted of pizzas and wine before we ventured into Zadar for a night out. The drinks were cheap at about £2 cocktails in really friendly bars. We decided that it was only fitting to have to complete a list of 22 tasks... that we managed to loose half way through the night. We did however manage to complete a few, including making some guys do the YMCA. This ended badly with Eve being nearly squashed by the guys and then me throwing a drunken tantrum about the boys not getting into our taxis!! We are such girls. BUT I managed to squeal "ittsss maaaa birrrthdaaaaay" a bazillion times :)

Part two later on.

R.I.P Captain Birdseye (the fish)

Captain Birdseye was the original pet fish I bought in University along with Captain Pugwash. He survived a year of University but did not survive the car journey to Josh's mum. Poor little thing. My fishiess definitely missed me whilst I travelled like googly did too but I hope he is swimming around in fishy heaven.

Does fishy heaven have a Scooby Doo statue too?

(And now I get to buy new fissshiiessss!!)

Inside the mouth of a whale

The Natural History Museum

I sppeaaaakkk whaaaaleee

So this weekend was the first we had even seen it rain properly... and unfortunately we got caught right in the middle of it. So a trip to the park ended up being a trip to the museum nearby. The Natural History Museum is most famous for the life-size whale exhibition, this is actually the skin of a dead whale that you can climb inside. It sounds gross and once I touched the outside the skin it was in some places like sandpaper and in other places like glue... but you cannot ignore how insane climbing inside a whale's mouth is! I mean, there were even seats inside, so you can literally sit inside a whale's belly.

Our trip to the museum was very eerie, this may have been because we arrived at 5:00 and that's when the museum shuts... so lights were being turned off randomly as we walked around. Being in a room of life-size bears, tigers, a massive elephant and a moose family with the lights going off is actually really scary. But its worth a trip to just climb into a whale's mouth. You can understand how the fish feel. I would not want to be eaten by a whale... then again... I'm not sure who would like that??

hello being eaten by a whale

its my birthdaaaay

May 8th.

Popping home for a cheeky little birthday including a few of the family favourites:

We had a big chocolate birthday cake

Fish and chips from the local chippy with wine (of course)

And watched our family film the Scarlet Pimpernel (its truly awful as you will be able to tell from the clip but it really does make our family laugh) It all started from a family holiday years and years ago when I was young and it rained all 2 weeks. Therefore we only had a few bits of entertainment which included a newspaper with a free DVD of The Scarlet Pimpernel. After one watch we were converted... it was truly the worst/best film we had ever watched. Wet fish ma dear.

My present were also an odd bunch: my sister Becky gave me some transportable urinals whilst the other sister Jennie got me HUNGRY HIPPOS, my mum gave me an underwater camera which looks so cool and retro, Josh got me a drinking straw kit and I get to adopt a donkey and my friends obviously got me a burger king hat and cheeky drinks. HUZZAH.

For my actual birthday I got to go to Croatia for 3 days. It was beautiful (and obviously that will be in a whole other post - so much to tell!)

What a lovely birthday.

skype love

What would I do without skype??

Being all over the place recently (its been my birthday!! HORRAY!) I have let my love for skype grow and grow. I get to speak to the people I love without horrible phone bills. Bravo skype.

 Even just to say goodnight :)

My reason for this little outburst also stems from the fact skype has just been sold to Microsoft. Which I think is going to make it rubbish in a matter of time... just so the money can be earnt back!! New skype may have new adverts and will probably loose that appeal of cheap and cheerful calls to love ones.

But for the time being I shall enjoy my 2p calls.

More from me soon - once I have got over flying between 3 different countries in 5 days, including a 4am wake up call this morning! NAP TIME.

the den

It was a Tuesday night, the night before I have to go back to the UK, so we decided to hide out. Popcorn, ice cream, chicken nuggets and apple juice in our home made den.

We watched Mary and Max which was really cute.

 The perfect evening after we got on the wrong tram 3 times to get back to the flat!! And I also got a big scratch on my finger as a result of a new game we made up... push each other off the pavement square. Safe to say, Josh was stronger and I managed to cut myself on a zip!

Happy Wednesday :)

walpurgis night

Walpurgis night is a big event in Gothenburg.

Its seen as welcoming in Spring, and we sure had the weather for it, for more of my ramblings on the background of this celebration read this.

day

At about 6pm there is a big parade that takes place down the Avenyn and surrounding roads. As far as I know its when a University (Chalmers) show cases loads of amazing papier mache floats about current events or random things... and big bands and dance groups show casing themselves. Its a massive celebration with crowds and crowds of people lining the streets. People are giving out tulips and balloons and everyone drinks on the street in massive friendly groups.

Some of the best floats we saw:

An angry birds float, complete with sling slot and loads of papier mache pigs and birds

A transformers car that was lifted up by a fork-lift

A man who rode a motorised toilet

A stereo car that was so so huge that the whole car was engulfed by papier mache.

The most mental orchestra/ band with a conductor in a bunny suit and a man driving a chest of drawers. 

The Chili miners float with the miners in a papier mache cave and people celebrating when the miners received porn!

A giant papier mache unicorn with a man dancing around in a fairy costume... just on his own.

 evening 

 Our evening was particularly bizarre.

After a cheeky few drinks back at our flat (I really needed to pee!) we set off in search for student places to drink. We first of all tried getting into a University bar, but one of the bartenders came out and said we shouldn't go inside as it was really boring (to be honest we peeked in later on and it did look like an awkward school disco) and then confessed to us that he was really drunk. He then attempted to give us directions to a bar that "the police did not know about" - niiiice. This was done by him drawing on the back of a paper plate with the remains of food on it.

After what was an hour and a half of jumping on and off trams (some we realised were going in the wrong direction) still with the paper plate map, we went to another University campus and saw people in those inflatable boxing suits. We finally found some people who told us about this cheap bar in town.

Considering the alcohol was wearing off we headed there and they were not wrong! We spent the rest of our evening chatting to these Swedish guys who were soooo drunk that everything they said was hilarious. The wine was as cheap as the beer and the club was literally next door. They told us they thought all British girls were fat and easy which I got rather angry at... but they all apologised to me and said I was not fat and maybe they had it all wrong! HUZZAAAHH. One of the girls in their party was also having a birthday celebration and we must have sang, raised our glasses and chanted something in Swedish about 15 times in an hour. They know how to celebrate birthdays! The rest... is a little hazey... I'm sure that a sign of a good end to this story.

Thank you Walpurgis.

Bangsbo - not related to banging boobies (day 3)

day 3

The last stop on our trip was Frederikshavn which is actually where the ferry docks. We only had a very short day here so we decided to walk to Bangsbo which is a massive park.

It is absolutely beautiful, its mid being changed into some sort of exotic gardens but currenly its open spaces and big ponds... just my style. But my coolest finds of the day were:

The fish that were so eager to eat bread (that was meant to be for the ducks) that caused big big splashes and then to make matters worse a massive seagull joined in causing me to squeal like a little girl.

The flying pig toy Josh bought me that actually flaps its wings when its in the air, which I cannot throw further than about 2 steps without it crash and burning but Josh meanwhile can throw it a looooooong way.

 

The above yodelling flamingo that we found in a shop (sorry about the quality of this film!)

The fact we saw deers in the wild and then when I got closer to take photos Josh got all freaked out they were going to charge at us. 

The daisy chain headband I wore and people commented on. Hooray for daisy chains.

Finding an old man bar with very cheap wine... although people find it wierd if you order anything other than Tuborg.

Having proper Denmark hot dogs.

Seeing the biggest bunny on the walk home that was happily munching on somebodies flowers

The ferry on the way home with a monkey that greeted us and a drunken Swedish guy giving us free beer - probably the happiest man I have met - and playing drinking games aaall the waaayy home. I think I then also sang and danced all the way back to our flat.

Yay for the end of that little adventure.

a little mention

my inky marks

Even whilst travelling, I doodle on anything and everything. I'm a little bit odd in the way if you give me a big fat black marker... I'm away.

Ranrah on Blog

I store all my little arty moments on the above blog. Check it out if you like :)

Currently I'm working on something which is taking me forrrevverrrr. Its all in the pipelines.

over and out x