Pushing it Forward...

We changed the clock last night and pushed it one our forward. I like that day day feels longer, but the day we do it is always confusing. You "loose" an hour. This time around it was extra harsh because I had to be at work at 7 this morning, which felt like 6 because when I went to bed it was midnight my time, but in reality it was 1.am. Then I didn't fall asleep until around 4 or something and then slept like 2 hours. Great. This day always gets me confused and tired.
Then we had 130 persons for the breakfast at work and we were only 2 working. It was crazy busy. I got home at 13.00 and crashed. Sören called me aparently later and I just spoke to him in Icelandic. I thought I had dreamt that he had called... Good thing he can understand some Icelandic...
Anyway. It's 19.30 and still bright, so I guess it's worth the confusion.
-Steinunn

The Jutland Chronicles

Time flies. It seems that we just returned from Jutland, but it's already been two weeks. We went over there to visit my sister Lone and her husband Kim. They live north of Aalborg, five kilometers from the rural town of Hjallerup. We slept over for three nights, while slowly getting used to the silence and unfamiliar smells of the countryside. Here are the pictures that tell the story of the trip:

Here's my mother Bente looking out over the harbour at Odden. We had to wait a while for the ferry to arrive.


We rode on a faaast ferry. Steinunn bravely stood by the railing for a few action shots. It was hard to stand steady in the strong wind.


The car deck.


The ferry brought us straight to the sea side town of Ebeltoft, where the houses are still maintained in the original style - quaint.


My sister Lone setting the table for the dinner on our first night in northern Jutland.


Day two we went into Aalborg city centre. Steinunn tried to adjust the wildly crooked walls of this red and yellow house.


The beautiful Jens Bangs Hus in the centre of Aalborg. The house was built by the succesful merchant Jens Bang in 1624. Back then it was the tallest house in the city, and therefore a symbol of his wealth.

Glum looking clouds over Nørresundby.


Lone and Kim have three horses. These two are called Sweetie (on the left) and Paddy Blue, who incidentally celebrated his one year birthday when we were there.


Here outside the city, many more stars are visible. In this picture, it's still dusk so the only thing visible in the sky is some planet (in the middle of the picture).


Here, Kim is riding the old tractor that Lone and he bought recently.


The tractor up close. It's a Ferguson.


A horsie eating.


This is Kasper the friendly cat, who seized every opportunity to venture inside my mother's car.


Every family visit includes a trip to the nearest flea market. This one was big, but somewhat uninspiring. I almost bought a clock.


Another Jutland tradition: visiting Vesterhavet. No matter how cold it is, we always have to go there. Personally, I quite like going there. And Steinunn seemed cheerful as well, even though the temperature was close to freezing. She's was literally jumping from pure joy...


Everyone was well-clothed for the cold outing. In the background, Lone is looking for god knows what in the clumps of sea weed that had washed ashore.


The cold and windy weather gave Steinunn a welcome opportunity to tell the fascinating story of how she and her Icelandic pals walked backwards to school when the weather was especially horrid.


Instead of taking the ferry home, we took the scenic drive across Storebæltsbroen.

Bye, bye...

This monday, we decided to let our cat Panda go. She's at the animal shelter, where someone will hopefully find her and take her home with them.

Our apartment isn't big enough to have a cat as active as Panda. She needs more space to roam in. The confinement had very bad effects on her. Mostly, she was friendly and cuddly, but within seconds, and without warning, she would often become aggressive and violent. It was also very stressful for us to have a cat that was so unpredictable. At times, it made it hard for us to relax at home.

Regrettably, Panda will be put down if no family wants her. We hope that she will get another chance somewhere else. Panda will hopefully go on to become a farm cat - chasing mice rather than Steinunn's feet. Getting her energy out in a more constructive manner may result in a much more balanced cat - one can only hope...

Portugalia

The school year of 1999-2000 I spent as an exchange student in Portugal. I lived with a portuguese family, went to high school and did my best in adapting to a new culture and way of life. The year was tough for me and the day I left for Iceland I thought to myself that I would probably never return.
Never say never. For some time now I have begun thinking that returning to Portugal would not be the worst idea. There were still some questions unanswered for me and I really wanted to see my foster sister which I had bonded with during my year. I felt that I was ready to go back.
But Portugal has not been a high travel priority for me so I thought that I would not happen.
Then my department planned a studytrip to Lisbon and I jumped at the oppertunity to be "forced" to return. It was great to go back and see people again. Great to see how tings have changed, some for the better and some for the worse and see Portugal in a slightly different light.

Here are my pictures:


On my way to Portugal I stopped in Brussels. Nice airport, strange slogans.



This is Diva one of TWO Big Danes owned by my foster family. This one is a little strange in the head and had to be tied up when I (or anyone else not from the family) was around. If not, she just may have eaten me.



Outside the Grandmother's house. Carmen walking and Grandmother cleaning the dog house.



Mmmmmm loooove this drink :) It's an energy drink without all the guarana and fake sugar that makes my head hurt. I can't tell you how many of those I actually drank during my year, but they kept me going!



Portugal seems to have gotten a recycle fever. These dumpsters are everywhere. Nice change from when I was there...



This is Carmen, one of my foster sisters :)



Typical view in smaller towns in Portugal. I came upon this fisherman in São Martino Do Porto, a town I spent about a week with my AFS friends shortly before we went home.



This is Tobias, Carla's dog. He is actually kinda nice :) for a dog...



In Caldas da Rainha, where I lived during my AFS year.



This is the park where I read many a book when I was supposed to be in school. I didn't like my school so I spent a lot of time in this park, reading and hanging out.



Pretty confused birds in the park.



Now we are in the main pedestrian street in Lisboa centre. Pretty place and nice stores.



Statue of some important guy. Can't remember his name.



This sight is very typical in Lisboa. I find it rather friendly to see all the clothes hanging from outside the buildings.



It doesn't seem to matter if the house is pretty like on the picture above, or just about to fall apart like on this one. It somehow looks very friendly and warm.



We were 14 girls and Lars (the teacher). Here we are at the Castle of Joao Jorge, and Lars is busy telling us all about it all.



This is me and Petja at an African restaurant chosen by Lars.



And as you can see from this picture, we would not have chosen this resaurant on our own. It looks like puke and the taste was not that far from it...



It was 20-24°C the whole time and my feet got very swollen and sore. At one point I had about 15 band aids on my feet. It hurt.



We stayed in the Alfama district. Some of the houses there are very beautiful and well restored, while others have seen better days. This house was close to our hostel. Somehow I really love these run down houses, it makes one think of what the house has been through during the years.



This is by the monument of the explores (built by fascists!!). There is a big map of the world on the ground just to show how the Portuguese once ruled the world (not anymore though!)



Some people really know how to enjoy the sun. I couln't resiste snapping a pic of this relaxed man.

It was 4 degrees when I landed...

But it's nice to be home :) Today I will relax and slowly begin thinking of alllllll the things I must do now. Project, classes and work will be my life until some time in June. Yay.
-Steinunn

It was 19 degrees when I landed...

I´m in Portugal. More specifically in Campo, Caldas da Rainha. More specifically, the office of the kindergarden my fosterfamily owns.
It took me 13 hours to get here and I'm totally exausted. Still the night is young Portuguese way so I have a few hours more to go before hitting the sack, wearing the tank top I've been wearing all day.
You see, Portugal did not welcome me back with a fuzzy hug. My luggage did not arrive. It is still in Denmar (should be landing in lisboa in 3 hours). Somehow my luggage got left in Copenhagen and I therefore have nothing with me, except from the clothes I am wearing and the things in my handbag. Luckily I had a pair of contact lenses in there.
My bag will arrive at the Caldas da Rainha bus station tomorrw. Or so they say. I'll believe it when I see it.
It's 20.30 and I'm waiting for Carmen and Eliza (daugher and mother) to finish the staffmeeting so we can go to the supermarket and get me a toothbrush, deodorant and clean sock. Just the neccecites. Aparently the supermarket is open til 22.00 or something. Crazy. After that we'll get dinner. Crazy.
Anyway. Things have changed in Caldas, but at the same time alot of things are exactly the same. I'll give more detail later... with pictures.
But until next time...
Até a proxima vez!
Steinunn