EuroTrip 2011 (Sweden-pt.2)

On this day, my friend took me to Nora and Örebro and showed me around a bit. Nora is a really small town about a 20 min. drive from her village. Örebro is a small city about 1 hr. away.

"Europa Nostra (Our Europe) Award of 1993" to Nora, basically for preserving their charming, ageless town.

The train station at Nora--which isn't used anymore.

The reliefs depicts scenes from the people's everyday lives.

One side domestic, the other side are miners.

The Tower at Örebro.

The view from the top.

Ha! Swedish, English, and German. Who would've thought I'd understand 2 of the 3 languages?

Last look up at the tower.

I couldn't pass up another castle!

Some information about the Örebro castle.

The "old town", quite well preserved.

huh, I guess this is where you go to get help when you're in trouble.

I'm not going to get in trouble for this, will I?

Ah! I'm going back to the past!

My friend and I spell our names using the magnetic "ancient written language." Mine is the second one.

I've never seen these before: cups with straws that suck the liquid from the bottom. Fancy that!

Now you can test your pictoral comprehension: What does each symbol mean?

Leaving from the Örebro train station very early in the morning, to make it to my flight down to München (Munich).

One means "Open" and the other means "Close": which is which?

My last transfer before arriving to the airport.

I had a very long day because I barely slept the night before, had to get up very early that day, and I was sick. As soon as I got to Munich, I looked for a hotel. I got one, thanks to the people at a hotel info desk in the airport. I didn't care about anything else that day: I needed to sleep.

The next day, I woke up early (but not too early), made it back to the airport and flew back to America. It was a long trip, but I was happy to be with my family again.

Next question: When will I do this again?

EuroTrip 2011 (Sweden-pt.1)

So far, I've visited places I've visited before. Now, I'm going to see a country for the very first time. Let's go!

From the same Austrian Air plane from Vienna, I look down at Stockholm. This is the only time I ever saw Stockholm in my entire time in Sweden.

Wow! It's Ingrid Bergman! I didn't know she was Swedish!

Alfred Noble was Swedish too? Man am I ignorant!

Yes! It's ABBA! Now these people, I do know.

Sheesh, what do you expect, considering I was raised listening to them.

I saw Greta Garbo too, but I couldn't capture her. Blast.

An underground train station under the airport. You can take a train from here to Stockholm and it'll take you about 15-30 minutes (forgot exactly how much. sorry).

Where to exchange your cash and a sign explaining a little bit about the area.

Ah, good to know.

Now, where do I go again?

Wow, wonder if that's real . . .

Got a bus to get to where my friend will be waiting to pick me up.

If you look above your head, you'll find outlets.

Hmm, which is better: having most of the bus to yourself or free WiFi?

I don't know Swedish, but thanks to German, I know what this says.

I'm sure you can guess if you don't speak either one.

The adventist church in my friend's village.

Just to give an idea how cold it was.

I think the coldest was a high of -12 (Celsius).

Fireworks on New Years.

A charming creek beside my friend's grandmother's house.

My friend's neighbors from just across the street have alpacas, horses, dogs, and other animals. They were interesting to watch.

EuroTrip 2011 (Austria-pt.3)

This post will cover my last day in Austria. I hung out a bit with the family and in the afternoon went back to Schloß Schönbrunn.

The street the family lives on.

The entrance/exit to the property of the palace.

The map of the premesis.
Do you see the small red dot at the top left corner? That is where I was.



Behold, a view of the same palace, but from its "backyard."

The Gloriette.

Indeed glorious.

More of the gardens between the palace and the Gloriette.

I'm sure it looks nicer in the spring or summer.

This is an extra pic I wanted to share. This was in my Austrian Air flight to Stockholm. I read this airline received an award for the best customer service or for providing the best/most food from any other airline.

After looking at the muffin they gave me, I can understand why.

EuroTrip 2011 (Austria-pt.2)

It's great to be back in Bogenhofen. The feel is mostly the same, but the different people add a new element to it.

Welcome to Seminar Schloß Bogenhofen!

I saw this animal sleeping there all the time. No wonder: it's very warm!

In Braunan, Austria; looking at the bridge the stretches over the river Inn and connects Austria to Germany.

Ooooo, weapons . . .

Samurai swords in Austria?

Talk about globalization.

Litteraly: "Dog parking place."

This was just outside a grocery store.

The music school.

The building was constructed in 1647.

See anything interesting?

Hmm, look at this vain cat, that is right at the window so everyone can admire her.

Oh! Maybe she's not so vain, just cold.

The new lamp in the kitchenette in the girls' dorm.

The church has an elevator!

This is news to me!

At my friend's appartment at the top floor of the girls' dorm. This is one of several flowers she has in her appartment. I couldn't help myself; I had to take pictures of them.

Hmm, well that's one way to make a bench.

Welcome to the Vienna West train station.

I'm back in my favorite city!

Stefan's cathedral under restoration (it's been like that since I left in 2009).

Let's go down the promenade, shall we?

My Kebab place! It's still here!

Great Kebabs for less than 4 Euros: cheap, quick, and filling.

Well, well, well; look who's next door!

My students! What do you think of the menu?

Where I had my first gelato back in 2006.

A major art gallery.

Check out the stairs.

I haven't been there, but I believe that this is a public bathroom (you pay to use them) where you can be cultured as you "answer Nature's call."

If you ever want to rent a bike, just go to a CityBike station. You can rent 1 in any station and leave it at any other CityBike station.

One of my favorite museums ever: Haus der Musik ("House of Music"). It's a hands-on museum that touches on music and the science of sound.

Calling all comic-book fans!

This is at the United Nations Plaza.

This tower has a cafe and restaurant, but the coolest thing is that it rotates. In 10 minutes, you can have a 360 degree view of Vienna. I live this place too.

One of my favorite palaces: Schloß Schönbrunn ("Beautiful Fountain Castle").

Just to think the family I'm staying with lives within walking-distance of this palace.