Citychic in Lisbon

2009-01-28T15:35:00.011+01:00

Big Brother is watching You

Yo yo yo!! Tudo bom???

I'm gonna totaly ignore the fact that we're back in Sweden and focus on what we have done these days since the last post. We've been busy!!! We've been extremely busy! Having fun ;-)

Copa, Copacabanaaa lalallallaaa =)

After a really nice stay with Alex and Jackie at the Hostel we left for another lovely bus trip. This time only 8 hours, first stop at least. Maybe that was even better as we had been living after the wrong hour for 3 days... Well, it's not that hard as we haven't had a watch for 3 weeks but when we book a trip we do need to catch the bus as well right? So we had been living on Rio time in Salvador, no biggie except that we had dinner last night there at 6pm.... does not happen... not even in Sweden... =) And we really needed some nice calm time after being rather rude to people.... Can you imagine the two of us being rude?? NO neither can I but we had to. At the beach in Salvador for example, after a certain hour there was a rush of guys wanting to talk or wahtever and it really doesn't help pretending you don't speak portuguese. Really, no change for that and it's actually rather interesting as most of the guys wanting to know us, in english, had an extremely limited english. So what do they do? They explain that they come from Brazil, ok i got that one some time ago... Then their name and that was about it. SO instead of realising there will not be much more, they took a seat next to our spots and just sat there. Then the next one could come and so on... Imagine that! =)

So we actually ended up feeling rude at the end of the days. I've never read as much on a beach before so I guess something good comes with the bad as well. However we were also told by a brazilian that we were acting rude and should socialise more instead of hiding our heads in our books. Well, forst of all, can't help we're pretty. Secondly, i still wonder what is expected if you started having a conversation following their intensions? Talk and then sex on the beach or what?? We haven't figured out really. We're pretty blessed anyway =) But it's interesting I must admit and quite some difference to Sweden...

One thing we thought about is how this whole thing works in Sweden... What pick up lines do guys use in Sweden? What are the approaches and how is the persistance? We concluded this theory quite shortly after opening the discussion: we don't date swedes... ;-)

Speaking of people without borders, we got some extra luggage at the hostel. An extremely annoying american or more exactly a free loader who was joining us to Itacaré.... Well he wasn't really joining us, rather stalking us. Alex had told him that we were going to Itacaré so he asked for some tips and nice as we are we gave him tip and all of a sudden he was our best friend and was nothing else but joining us. However, I don't mind people, both me and Fishy are really openminded and love to meet new people. But what we don't like are freeloaders. People who just take things for granted and wount do a thing if not really necessary. Fishy & me made up our minds and checked hostels and buses and took help from Alex to book tickets and all of a sudden we were 3 persons going. Doesn't end there. Fishy and me arranged taxi and there was not even one single question of this bloke could come with us or a question of how we were getting there. The only thing we heard was "So are we going out to the taxi?"

I've never been so embarrased taking a cab before. Fishy couldn't bare the guy and I did what I could to be patient. We got in the cab and Fichy & me greeted the driver who was really sweet. But we had hardly closed the doors until the annoying luggage asked "how much?" I took a look at Fishy and couldn't believe my ears. The cab driver asked in Portuguese where we were heading and the american just kept on asking How much. At first I didn't want to say a thing but I felt sorry for the driver and told him in Portuguese that we were heading to the bus station and that we prefer he use the taxametre. The driver looked reliefed. Then the american turned to us and said he was also fixing a price in advance, i wonder how that was possible since he didn't speak portuguese but didn't bother to comment.

So yeah, I had to do the talk for him as well for the entire trip. Thank god he didn't stay at our hostel, we would probably have changed it. When we arrived we were asked by a cute boy if he could help us but we already knew where to go. The boy worked for a project in this place where they show tourists to their hostels, don't even think it'll cost you anything unless you want to give something. But of course the american just threw a piece of paper in my face and told me, yeah didn't even ask but told me to tell the boy to take him there. Well said and done but please, an adult man around his 40's who can't carry his own luggage consisting of a small bag but will let a young boy carry it for him??? Please! We had our backpacks both front and back and didn't complain but the american didn't find it akward letting a child carry his luggage. Sorry to nag about this but it's totally against my moral.

we finally got rid of him and only met 2 more times in this village, thank god. For those of you who know me, i am patient so you can just imagine....

Soooooooooooooooooo to the fun part of Itacaré!!!! Weeeeeeeeeeheeeeee what a place and perfect place to cool off the last days! We stayed at an incredible hostel with the coolest people ever! Itacaré, known for good surf, parties and great hippie people!

Met 2 french equvalent of ours and also got to know our neighbours next door who joined us for parties and great drinks. Days were spent on the beach and nights on the main street crowded with cool bars, rastas and handicraft. Our first day we were quite exhausted of the trip and spent the entire day on the beach doing absolutely N A D A. Kind of cool for being two rather super energetci persons. In the evening we asked the french girls to join for a caipirinha and we headed to Djungle bar. A tiny bar with lots of places on the street and a rasta making great caipirinhas on a tbale outside which was crowded with frech fruit. A rather calm and
relaxing evening. Next day we were reliefed breakfast wasn't included in the room as we could sleep and get up later and do whatever.

I met Kate outdoors in the hammock and after a great café da manha, including fresh fruit, great coffee and fresh juice of mango/pineapples the 3 of us headed to the 3rd beach called Tiririca. A small but lovely beach where we found some shadow. Fishy & me had quite a nice tan (burn) from the former day and Kate wasn't really excited being in the sun either. We spent the afternoon chatting and really got to like Kate, a calm and extremely friendly person who will, after south america go to africa. Guess if me and Fishy envy her.... =)) AND she's already been to India. Did I mentione we like her?? =))

We got back home and met Kate's room mate Telma, probably the absolutely coolest and most positive woman I met in my life! Extremely happy, talkative and up for any party! So we were invited to see Capoeira and afterwards to dance Forró... Well we all know what happens when forró is in the picture....

But hey capoeira is cool. Finding there is even cooler... The bar was located on Rua A, in a village without streets.... It took time but we managed!!! we arrived to an incredible Capoeira performance! All I can say is Swedish guys... just give up, you got nothing to compare to this. The guys were spinning in all kinds of ways and turns in the air and didn't even seem to be especially exhausted about it. It's an incredible art and so full of charisma and spirit. Afterwards this wellbuilt guys danced samba.. Do I really need to say more??

No I woun't I'll stop here and will continue some other day ;-)

Will however upload some pics, just in case you think YOU are having a good time :-P

BELEZA!!!!!!

Magnificent beauty

Rio de Janeiro

Kevin Adams & Fishy

2009-01-18T04:55:00.008+01:00

Gerry & Kevin´s wild night out....

So finally Gerry (Fishy) and Kevin adams made it... we survived the 28 hour long ride with the most annoying family in brazil in front of us. Yeah not 2 hours not 8 hrs but twentyeight hours. I can´t tell you we didn´t even notice how crowded the beach was when we got in just after finiding our hostel. We started our journey from ilha grande on thursday, saying good bye to loads of people we got to know, including Big Joe and funny Betty :) It was leaving home in a way as we felt like home in Joes big house. Anyway, a 2 hour boatride (sleeping) and 3 hour busride later we arrive to Rio to find that the last bus to Salvador just left... so we just called around some hostels and stayed one night in Santa Teresa (Well a much better one than the first we had) It was a cool hostel but there must have been loads of swedes as people looked scared when you just said hello....

Anyway hitting the busstaion early and getting on at 8.20 we had no clue that highways don´t exist in Brazil... Neither does straight or non-bumpy roads....

Anyway, we´ve seen lots of green fields, red dust and too much of a family that couldn´t sit still neither could hold them to their own seats. But better was that we had no clue where the hell we were, what time it was and what the hell the driver was talking about! Believe me Portugues from portugal is hard, but brazilian is harder for me and not to mention brazilian in Salvador. I just cant even concentrate anymore!

Anyways, we thought of making it to the famous Pelourinho tonight, the danger hood that looks very familiar to Bairro alto. But believe me.... brazil is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay different from sweden. While the swedish blokes take time to drink as much as they can, brazilian guys just start hitting at you, from the first second. AAAANNNDDDD i´ve never felt so famous as this night as everybody, I mean everybody was looking at us (yes primarly ze german girl Gerry....) We just went with this really strange bus in hoods more deserted than Vaxjo on a saturday night and our only coordination was a "cute" couple... yeah this is Fishy & Kevin adams backpacking.... Anyway we ended up at this big square where there was a light show and music and as we´re really early we saw the end of the show which was great... ;)

Still with no coordination, more than the fact that I was looking for Mezcal, we followed the crowd and found the heart of Pelourinho. lots of bars with live music and crowded with people. We weren´t really in to any place until we heard a band playing african-samba-reagge and looked for this and entered a really simple door and found heaven. We were hoping to see Olodum but there was Filhos da Gandhi playing and a crowd dancing samba, afro whatever.... Oh my god... Fishy & I got crazy because can brazilians dance or can they dance???? God damn they can daaance baby!

Check out Filhos da Gandhi here

We had dressed down like crazy, no jelwerey, not even fake and only clothes with pockets and 50 bucks in the bikini... we were the stiff swedes on that dance floor i can tell you, but after a while the body just kept moving and we went with the flow. However, we stared just straight in front of us because if you turn your head and smile and get eyecontact with someone, boom you´re done! They will be upfront you in a sec. So of course Fishy ended up dancing soon and as I´m the package there´s always a poor friend that needs to be entertained ;) Filhos da Gandhi ended and we headed to a samba club with the guys. it was cool and great music but neither me nor Fishy wanted to spend time in jail for "byxmyndighets lagen" if you know what I mean ;) SO we left quickly and ended up on another samba bar where i ordered 2 beers not thinking that they are like 1 litre each in this country nor did i ask for cups and drink like everybody else does, no we did it the swedish way and had a bottle each in our hands. Of course we have to represent our country ;) If we could get paid for every ones eyes on us, we wouldn´t have to go back to work in sweden but could really live a luxy life in Brazil ;)

Getting enough of more people coming to us, i talk and Gerry is the show up girl ;) we headed back to the square for something to eat. There were 2 non-brazilians who sat down by our table and we actually talked. You know, one opens one mouth says some words and then the other answers... Yes this is rather unusual for us as we´re so hot every guy is getting on to us. So i wonder what these guys problems were.... ;) We´ll find out tomorrow as we´re heading for new adventures and new partys...

so long....

(today´s quote: 1. "wow you´re such a braslieira."
2. "it´s all like facelicking this brasilian kissing")

2009-01-15T02:31:00.003+01:00

Ilha Grande

Kevin Adams & Fishy goes black....

Well today Fishy was feeling better. It was noticed of the time it took to have complete breakfast: 10 min hahaha. We had a long nice breakfast chatting with Lara & Joao and one brazilian and one argentinian who speaks as soon as he opens his mouth and doesnt shut it until he fells aslep. So yeah i´ll soon be fluent in spanish as well with a specialty of Argentinian spanish.... you´ll love it I´m sure.

So Lara & Joao left today, it has really been lovely to be able to hang out with them and Joao gave me lots of great tips for photography, cant wait to start when i head home.We went to Praia Preta today, which is a black&white beach, really cool and with a really smooth water. Liked it a lot. You know what they say: Once you go black..... ;)))

So tonight we have been haning out with the cool peopl of our cool hostel and the owner Big Joe is a really cool guy :) Were just now at the internet cafe checking buses for Salvador tomorrow, a trip that will take us 28 hrs... I can´t even imagine this but hey, life is a journey right ;)

Anyways, we had crepés today and the zerman girl (Fishy) managed to get all chocolate sauce on her feet, quite good huh? But even better is the fact that we got the crepes in paper plates and then the guy put another plate on top and stamped it together... maybe he though we were too fat to have this..... :)

Well, next time youll hear from us will be from our party place of this trip Salvador

(oohhhh gsus, 2 dogs are fighting outside and one of them just put his tale in the others but...... confusacaaaooo)

Haha to end this better: Its been raining a bit but thats cool as we´re rather hot after the beach today and now we´ll head to get some ice cold Brahma mmmmm
Happily unaware of the nice climbing that was coming...

Beijaaooooo

Kevin Adams & Fishy

2009-01-13T16:46:00.002+01:00

Kevin Adams & Fishy goes Brazil

So finally we ended up in heaven, yes you can stop looking you can stop believing in jesus, heaven is located in Brazil!

After 3 days in lovely Rio, which is probably the most beautiful city in the world, we are now located on Ilha Grande, an Island abit outside Rio. The beaches are amazing, white sand that crunches when you walk on it and water so clear you can see everything and not to forget, all this GORGEUS PEOPLE!! God damn!!

We had probloems getting out cash from the ATMs so we were without money the fisrst days but the lovely owner of our hostel lend us some money so we could at least do some sightseeing.

We went to Corcovade with such a view that even though someone would hit you, you wouldn´t believe what you see!!
We also went to Copacaban and Ipanema with all cariocas and their fit bodies. Of course 2 swedes got burnt the first day so we kept out from the beach after that. We went to Pao de Acucar, with and even more incredible view of rio than anyone can imagine. We lived in a hood quite ner a favela so we didnt really dear geting out at night but will do that on our way back.

We met some cool argentinians in Rio who helped us finding the lovely stairs in St Teresa and also met them yesterday here at the island.

We have been at Ilha grande for 4 days and are planning to stay 1 or 2 more, its soooo beatuiful. The 1st day we met 2 brazilians at our hostel and they told us to go to a lovely beach. Easy walking about 40min. (there are only 3 cars on the whole island, the garbage car, the police and the fireman. No atms, no banks, nada de nada) So we waited to check in at this really cool hostel owned but Big Joe ;)))

Grabbed an icecream and started walking..... and walking.... we went hiking with flipflops! There were no good signs so instead of beach we were climbing rather steap and found a waterfall!! Wow!! In the middle of the green forest with monkeys and all kinds of animals we found a waterfall. I can tell you, it took like 1 hour upwards (at least) and to find the beach another 20min dowhills and we found the little bloody beach! Now we know that when brazilians say its easy... it really isnt haha

Anyway the guys showed us other beaches as well but we found Lopes Mendes and inbcredible one. about 1 hour from where we stay by boat and then some 20 min walking and you find this white beach and clear blue water (and gorgeus surfers.....) We were offered to spend the night there on a small party with the guys who work there (becuase of the fullmoon) but Fishy was feeling ill so we had toi head back with the last boat. Doesnt matter because the world is so small and what is ment to happen, happens.

We were having breakfast at the hostel yesterday when fishy say that a person looks really like my friend. I didnt really notice until the girl goes back and meets up with us and say Maja??? There in front of me was Larissa... like really Larissa who according to Rosh should have been in Lisbon hahahahah. I cant really believe it yet but there are really here! We met Larissa&Joao on a small island in brazil hahaha. Lovely world!

Anyways, Fishy is a bit ill today so i grabbed the chance to write something. Well leave for Rio and Salvador in some day, we just dont know when yet ;) Were on vacation hahaha.

Entao, people I gotta go and enjoy bthe lovely views of ocean and mountains and lovely people :)))

Beijaaaaooooo

Kevin Adams & Fishy (will tell you about this names later....)

2008-12-25T12:24:00.002+01:00

Para a Sonia, com um abraco =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n64Dwkh4Jyo

Saudades de Portugal =)

/M

2008-07-29T13:52:00.002+02:00

Citizen of the world,

Came to think of one thing today, realising how much we actually travel and how many impressions we actually grasp while travelling.

Read an article about environmental travelling, that I have been thinking a lot about lately.

The whole idea arouse when 2/3 of my company went to Thailand last winter, all wanting to see unexplored paradise. It made me think that they are just a small percentage of all Swedes who go to Thailand during wintertime, and then not counting people from many other places.

When finding a paradise and giving it out there, it's like giving a treasure away as it gets famous, more and more people come and the rural inhabitants starts going from independent on their living (as farmers for example) to change the whole economy for the country where more and more hotels are built as well as restaurants. This evolves at the end to have hostels where rich tourists sleep, restaurants with international cousine (meaning meatballs for swedes) shops with goods adopted to tourists' tastes and requirements.

This all ends up in the fact that the farmers give up their business and are more or less forced to the areas where the tourists are located, the culture is ripped apart as sales people are forced to constantly increase sale and therefore become, sometimes a bit violent with tourists, the food culture changes as more and more fries are made in a country where fries aren't really a part of it.

Discos, bars and many more places get adopted for tourists so that the tourists can feel like home. But has anyone ever thought of the fisherman who once was completely alone at his beautiful beach, watching the sunrise all alone? The fisherman who had to move his house and boat as he couldn't afford fighting against the hotel chain that was to buy his beach?

There is a big difference in being a tourist and a citizen of the world. For example, many families claim that they need hotel chains and swedish food at the restaurants as the kids demand it. But please who wears the pants in those families? The parents or the children? It's very rare that kids at home get pizza everyday for dinner. Am I not right?

If the kids never experience and try something new, how will they learn but more important, how will they know and appreciate the difference between their culture and others? You can't constantly blaim the country you're visiting because they don't have meetballs at the restaurants. It's really not their fault.

The tourists often walks in the same pattern as other tourists, eating the same food, experiencing the same thing. However, the citizen of the world travels to a country ready to explore it. Not the big hotelchain nor the McD nor some international pizzas. A citizen of the world has a desire to not be seen as a tourist but to melt in as good as possible, eating at local restaurants, sleep in peoples' houses, or small family owned private bed& breakfast where you eat the breakfast that is served, not demanding panncakes, eggs, bacon, sausagges, fresh orange juice and so forth. Because that's what you eat at home isn't it? ;-)

You grasp what the country has to offer, not expecting anything. If nothing else there's a charm about the new culture (once you notice it) and you listen to what the inhabitans have to say, who are curious about you coming to their little village and not asking for the closest McD. A citizen of the world doesn't demand meatballs, swedish design at the hotel, a pool outside the terrace. There can be many memorable moments of a trip with small rooms, where there's just two dishes at the menu at the restaurant, but it's the best food you have in eaten in a long time.

Just mentioning some of many thoughts passing by my mind today. Talking about the environmental issues regarding touristic places is a totally new, and long topic which can be dealt with another time.

Hope it makes you think next time you book your trip and consider what kind of traveller you are and what new you actually experienced at yout trip.

Até logo pessoal!

Beijinho

/M

2008-07-10T22:28:00.003+02:00

Well,

Time passes by rather fast and here I am once again without a good excuse of not writing. Well I got one, and it might be a good one: partying! =))

Just wanted to write a few lines before I give you the whole story =)

Went back home, to Lisbon in June and just felt complete, as every time i'm there. And then again even worse when returning hom. The difference this time is that I fell fysically ill getting on the train in Copenhagen to my town... Now that's a strong sign isn't it?

Well therefore I'm fed up with this! Until I reach home again i'll listen to this song once a day everyday. Until i'm back home....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fDQnkYwfNfk

Enjoy it and catch you mais tarde ;-)

Beijos

/M

2008-02-25T23:25:00.001+01:00

The exception that confirms the rule

A bright friend once told me, in Lisbon:

"It's the except that confirms the rule"

That means that once in a while you see an ugly thing, but... this all actually means that what you generally see is beautiful right?

well let me tell you this as pure evidence from this lovely, bright and sunny town called Växjö.... *caughing*

As you all know, watching american movies and especially Samantha in STC, the fireworkes are aaaaaalways handsome, muscular men who are there in any case of emergency. They roll down their shiny pole, holding tight to it with their sweatty biceps and triceps. They get down and get dressed and in a minute their on this big truck in order to ave any cat in a tree, or just you.

Well now his must be general right? That the fireworkers are nice, goodlooking and fit men. And they are! It just got proved tonight!

I was walking down to the gym and halfwasy downtown there was a big truck coming at me and first i didn't even consider it, But then it hit me, what stupid people drives in the middle of the shopping street in the evening (we're in Sweden for those of you who now think why this would be strange...) Well the closer it got me, I coudl see that there was a light where the driver sits and that this space was full of people. Then i noticed that it was a firetruck!! Yeeaaayyy.

Finally, I thought, I will see some nice, goodlooking men in this city that God forgot... My excitment grow and I did something I usually don't do... I acctually took a glimse in to the truck. I was full of hope to realise that it IS like in the movies.

Only to my disappointment that all these guys/men/fireworkers/whate

ver were really just confirming theexception that confirms the rule that most fireworks are damn hot!! Man, I was so chocked i almost dropped my chin... honestly... there was a bunch of not fireworkers but farmers looking at me from the truck as they have never seen a woman before (in sneakers, baggy pants and a huge winter jacket - very sexy i'll tell ya...)

Well I just wanted to share this very important piece of information for you ;-)

Next time we can talk about the rule that most cities are sunny and nice, and then of course we have the exception that confirms the rule.... ;-)

Besitos pessoas!!

2007-09-23T20:02:00.000+02:00

It hit me....

That exactly one year ago I was on a beach called Sesimbra. Enjoying the beatuiful beach and the surrounding cliffes with Pedro and Joao. It was a Sunday and Pedro skipped the obligatory Sunday lunch in order to hit one of the best beaches south of Lisbon. We drove over the beautiful "San Fransisco" bridge (25 de Abril is the real name ;-)) and through small villages of Portugal in the Honda civic =) It was a really hot day that day and the windows were down and the wind blew through the car. Pedro tried to teach me portuguese, and I treid oh my god I tried but it was so bloody difficult! What he didn't know was that I had brought some homework form my portuguese class *lol* Pedro was telling me about all the fires that summer in Portugal that had destroy so much and still I could see plenty of people out in the forrest with barbeques... "It's portuguese" was the only comment I got from Pedro, laughing =))

we passed incredibly beautiful places which, even though everything was dry, had lost their beauty. Then we got to this small town/village Sesimbra and finally managed to the beach. At first I couldn't see the beach, there was only water... =)

We parked the car as Joao called and said he also was on his way to join us. we paid the 1 € for the parking and hit the sand. Beautiful golden sand, metres and metres in front of us and cliffes on the other side. We parked our towels and said helloooooo to the sun =) We chatted, Pedro was telling me about Portuguese customs and culture and also the language (I was still immune to it at this time).

Joao arrived and as I started my homework the guys started playing beachtennis. Good for them, good for me. Then Pedro dragged me to the water. I arrived to the very end of the beach and told Pedro there's no chance I'm entering the water. He looked at me totally confused and I told him, "turn arround, do you see those huge waves?? I'm not entering!" He started laughing and said that there were no waves. Hell yes I answered, I'm from Sweden, we don't have any waves! =))

Anyway he walked with me slowly in the water and said there's really nothing to be afraid of. we stood there and talked for a while, when all of a sudden Pedro dives and I just feel like I'm getting grabbed by the water. There came a wave that Pedro saw and dived but that I had totally missed so I was firt the first time experiencing the "tumble wash" Yeah that's it guys, When Mother Nature is stronger than yourself and takes you in to her jaws and your under water not knowing what's up and what's down and you're thinking how long you can hold your breath. And then you do what all new beginners in surf do, you wave around with your arms and try to reach the top (of course not knowing where the hell that coud be).

Well I did this with all my strenght, stupid as I was because this is the absolute worst thing to do when your caught in a "tumble wash". Finally I felt air and my head was above water. Thank God! But what the hell had happened to my bikini?? =))) Well people, a good tip nr 2: hold on to your bikini while being in the tumble wash ;-) I was somehow holding my bikini and I made it to the beach trying to breath normally. I must have looked terrified... Pedro was screaming at me from the water if I was ok, I just waved and went back to Joao. Told him that I'm not entering the water anymore today, no way José! He asked why and I just told him I still have all of Lisbon to see before I die ;-)

well we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon and after a drink at the cafe/bar we enjoyed the sun as much as possible and they helped me with the only homework in Portuguese that I ever did during the language course ( Sorry Rui, probably now you'll understand why I was so bad!)

we headed back to Lisboa, through the Via verde and the San Fransisco bridge with the stunning view of boa Lisboa and so there was 6 months left to explore Lisboa, Portugal, and get to know these two amazing guys among all other people who were to be met.

Queridos, tenho saudades grandes de voces e espero que eles sao bem e que tu pedro tenhs tempo para ir para a Sesimbra. Joao - entao até em Alemanha!

Muitos Beijinhos! /M

2007-08-10T16:54:00.000+02:00

Asturias

Hoooooooooooola!!

So I'm back in the woods again! haha

well let me say like this about the vacation: I still haven't woken up yet!!

it was the most efficient vacation ever, including visits to 4 countries within 7 hours... I deserve my own check-in counter at Copenhagen Airport. And the security people don't ask me about liquids anymore... I know the rules by now ;-)

Well 4 days in Oviedo, Asturias, with my lovely (and totally crazy) ex-flatmates were great! First of all I had the looooongest flight ever there... I catched a train from Växjö, Sweden to Copenhagen at 8am and I was in Asturias at 3.30 am the following day... Let me say like this: don't fly with Spain air if you have a connection flight ;-)

Asturias

My flight was 1 hour late from Copenhagen which contributed to the fact that I missed my connection flight from madrid to Asturias and had to take a bus that took 4 hours... BUT... there's always two sides of a coin right? =) Well, I had a really nice company on the flight to Madrid ;-) And the bus was the absolutely most comfortable one I've ever went with! So I'm not complaining! After all I saw my "Lisbon family" again after 6 months which was worth the trouble!

Gijón

Marta & Me,
Gijón

Swimming among the rocks,
Favila & Me

Within 4 days, we travelled with a great jeep up on the mountains and all the way donwn to the golden beaches. We had so much sea food I can't remember evrything we ate and we saw both rain and sun. Unfortunately the waves were too small for surfing =((

A familia de Carlos Mardel =)

Anyways, we visited most of the western part (if I'm not mistaken and it is the eastern coast lol), including Tozones (whixh is known with a fun tagline ;-)) and Gijon - a nice city just down the moutains and straight on the beach more or less. Oviedo was an amazing city, which I heard is Woody Allen's favourite and there's supposed to be a statue of him that I never found. Perhaps because there were so many statues... =) Woody's next movie is supposed to be made up there as well.

I saw how octopus' are catched and killed, very pleasent.... or not... and also how an octopuss dish tastes like.

Octopus in sauce with rice... yummy.. or? =)

I had Asturian "glögg" which was yummy and all kinds of spanish specialities including Marta's Oreo's haha. And my ex-flatmates are a living proof of the fact that too much studies damages your health! So now you can go home to your parents and complain and still be able to prove it! ;-)

Joder, it's Friday and definately time to get out of the office!!

To be continued or... HASTA LUEGO!!

PUXA ASTURIAS!!!!!!

Besitos

/Maja

2007-07-30T01:04:00.000+02:00

Que passa tija??? =))

Just a quick msg from Malmö, i'm just making a short stop here in order to catch another flight tomorrow night to Belgrade. Yes, you can from now on send all your post to Copenhagen airport, it's my new address ;-)

Well.... Madrid madrid.... hahaha. Word can't explain a whole week with Papi, really, not possible. But besides a strong cold, there were also a lot of strong drinks and barbequing (both kinds of meat if you know what i mean ;-)) And we managed to keep the erasmus spirit of drinking, partying and getting home around breakfast time. Yes DE PUTA MADRE!!

Well I'm kind of tired after arriving home early this morning and then getting up to catch the flight. 24 hrs in sweden will be good for recharging batteries hahaha.

Hasta luego guapas e amigos!

Um besito!

/M =)))

2007-07-22T21:22:00.000+02:00

hola!

Que tal?¿

I'm enjoying Asturiar after the longest travel ever in Euroep. But that's just to count on, it's Spanair... Delayed of course so count on a 4-5 hours bus drive to Oviedo.. But what wouldnt i do for my dear flatmates!! anyway, i'm off for dinenr now, just a quick hi to you to say

PUXA ASTURIAS!!! =)))

Besitos!!

PS, went to swim among rocks today... De puta madre!! =))

/M

2007-07-04T00:13:00.000+02:00

The feet are walking on their own,
where they are going i don't know
the shadows come
only to disappear
where am i going?
where ever i go there's a shadow
i turn
walk the other way
but also there
is a shadow
i turn
i walk
once again i hit the wall
it's dark
where is the light?
i walk
I'm missing something
i recognise the surroundings but there's something missing
it's not the same
it's empty
it's alone.
Where is the sound
where is the life
where are the people?
it's dark but the shadows have been dark for long time
watching over the city
surrounding it
protecting it
keeping it away from
life
where am I going?
where ever i turn i hit the wall
give me light
give me water
i want to turn
i want to walk
i want to be free
I want to feel
I want to be alive...

/By Maja S

2007-06-25T23:49:00.000+02:00

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

2007-06-21T00:01:00.000+02:00

Amor é fogo que arde sem se ver

Amor é fogo que arde sem se ver;
É ferida que dói e não se sente;
É um contentamento descontente;
É dor que desatina sem doer;

É um não querer mais que bem querer;
É solitário andar por entre a gente;
É nunca contentar-se de contente;
É cuidar que se ganha em se perder;

É querer estar preso por vontade;
É servir a quem vence, o vencedor;
É ter com quem nos mata lealdade.

Mas como causar pode seu favor
Nos corações humanos amizade,
Se tão contrário a si é o mesmo Amor?

Luís de Camões

2007-06-19T22:47:00.000+02:00

A great start of the week.... Mondays are my favourite.... =)

Getting back from vacation is not the simplest thing but you somehow have to survive it right?

Well Monday started early, with a feeling of a cold. That means after the few hours I got of sleep. I have no problems getting home from Lux at 7 in the morning and then sleeping, but the secret is:
- I had curtains dark enought to make it feel like night
- It's not as bright in Portugal as it is in Sweden by midnight...

Anyway I got up, got to work just to find it took my mailbox about 15 to finish downloading all incoming mail. Then I spent about half of the day trying to sort out a mess at the warehouse. Got home late just to fall down on the sofa reading a book - that was the best part of the day =)

Bu today started even better!! =) I had to be at work at 7am to let some workers in to the warehouse and I was proud of myself being there just a few minutes late. And then I thought why should I let them wait for me, so I went directly to the warehouse and unlocked it, just to find out that the alarm was connected to the main building... I think it was the best wake up call ever!! IF they just would have chosen a sound like that in Lux I would just enjoy it and not run into the mainbuilding trying to stop it... =) The best thing is that you have to call a number to cancel the security guards coming to the place, but of course I didn't have this number so I called one of my bosses. He didn't have a clue either. But after a few minutes he called and said my other boss had fixed it. Cool then no worries.

Until my boss arrived after 8 saying it was really nice getting a wake up call saying: "This is SOS Alarm" Ooppsss.... =))) And even more fun was that he had been working until 3am.-... Thank god I wasn't myself otherwise it would have been rally amusing all day everyone picking on you. But hey, someone has to stand for the entertainment right? =) I see more and more signs saying I probably was a blonde when I was born.... So I might even be a real swede! Lol There are people who can tell that portuguese doors are a bit too easy for me.... =))

Anyway, I'll have to tell about my latest trip to Lisboa another time, now I gotta go and try to sleep. No worries, I woun't be opening the buildings tomorrow.... ;-)

Até logo pessoal

/Majix

2007-06-18T22:52:00.000+02:00

Summer Agenda 2007!!

Since travelling is my only fun now since I started wroking, people are somewhat keen on knowing where I'm going... So here's the so far plan =)

March
Copenhagen,
Oslo,
Stockholm
Hamburg

April
Stockholm

May
Malmö
25-29th Boa Lisboa

June
9-14th Boa Lisboa
15th Falkenberg
22-24th Midsummer in Växjö
27th Gothenburg

July
29th June - 1 July Stockholm
13th-15th Fishy's back in town!!
14th Karlskrona - Party!!
20-29th ESPAÑA!!
20-23th Oviedo, Asturias
23 - 29th Madrid with Papiiiiii!! =)
29th 24hrs in Copenhagen! Looking forward meeting you guys!
29-05 aug Vou para sul!! Belgrade for a while =)) hihihi

1 of September Miss starts her real job....
October/November Il Padrino in Pforzheim! For real! =))

So now you know exactly when to show up in Sweden!! =)

Até logo pessoal!

Beijinho

2007-06-01T19:15:00.000+02:00

Olaaaaaaa!

Maja's return back home (Lisbon) was great!!

First of all thanks all for making my birthday one of the best ones ever! You're great!!!!

Can't really write much but I thought of a small update - for those of you who might not remeber ;-)

Friday was celebrated in Cafe buenos aires with a nice stake and great company. Not a great night without a party at Papi's!!!!!!!! Woohoooo =) what a cray night guys! Well after lots of wine, fruitshots and the especially dangerous sangria made at the party, we did actually make it to Lux! =))) DJ Vibe IS the man!!! Damn he's good!

Anyway, saturday we went sightseeing and for a piece of o melhor bolo de chocolate de mundo ;-) (of course, you know me...)

Then bairro, beers or even more beers for the people competing in the competition of getting drunkest or surviving the drunkness? can't really remeber this nice contest and I hardly think the people participating do either. If they are sure they were there at all.... ;-) lol

Sunday, sunday... Breakfast at Miradoro da graca, walking in Expo (finding Creon's new office ;-) walking in Alfama (finding the new flat ;-) and shopping at Vasco da Gama (finding the new outfit ;-) Guess I was tired after that because I can't remember what we did more that evening

(except for shopping) =)

Monday, wonderful Monday! I took Karin to a cab so she could catch her flight and then I took a short walk in Saldanha, early in the morning, the sun was just rising and this lovely noise fron the Lisbon pulse... Just a great start!. Then a typical breakfast at ISCTE, (yes the waiter still remembers my croissant com chocolate and my galão ;-))

There the godfather was meeting his King and the rest of the family Kubb *lol* and Eliana was more of a business woman than anyone in the business world. poor girl, don't know what will wait for her at D&T *lol* (well a trip to Sweden for sure!!! =))

I will tell you later about my meeting with my husband Ricardo... It's a stroy on it's own =))

I had a great bacalhau with Eliana and Diana and then we headed downtown for some last shopping. Diana continued to harass her Visa card while I was taken to this beatuiful place by the Andar 3 group for some nice champagne and just the best Tiramisu in the world!

Then a great dinner waited at a really good restaurant called Terra. You shoud try it, it's really cool! when it's OPEN!!!! :-P No, i have to say that there is a great Italian restaurant in lisbon called valentino. try the lasagne ;-)

Then you crazy people surprised me with a lovely party at Aloha bar =))) THANKS!!! I loved it and if it wouldn't have been for so many people, I would have cried.... *lol*

See you in a few days!!! Vem para a praiiiiiiaaaaa =))

Beijinhos

2007-05-21T00:10:00.001+02:00

Heeey all!!

This is my new favourite girl!

Two weeks ago I went to Gothenburg to visit some friends. Well there was a stop in Halmstad as well to have a cup of coffee with el chica Rosa =)) Let's say I spent the whole day driving! First to work, then from work to a meeting, from the meeting to Halmstad and from Halmstad to Gothenburg

Anyway I was hanging out with a good friend who forced me out to a salsa night on Saturday... I thought I could dance but this was a great proof that I'm as stiff as a refrigerator...
But, as I always said: "there's always someone worse!!" hahah

I survived anyway and I also had the chance to meet an adorable princess. Well, she doesn't look that happy at this photo with her mom.

But as soon as I grabbed her, we understood each other =))

Well guys this is Ema, if she stays with me for too long I can tell you her future:
- Shopaholic
- Traveler
- Absolutely stunning and of course
- With a lot of humor =)

So maybe mom is happy I only stayed and afternoon? ;-))

Well, welcome to this happy place called earth Ema =))

Beijinhos cara

/Maja - all in an afternoon! Damn that's good! =))

2007-05-20T23:38:00.000+02:00

Oi pessoal!!

Shit I'm so bad in updating this blog, but I'm alive I promise!!

There's quite a lot happening here and at the moment I'm enjoying a cup of tea in my new sofa!! They arrived very nice in 8 pieces last Wednesday and they remained in 8 nice pieces until Friday... Well the floor has been really comfortable I can promise you that, but the sofas are even better! =)

Got another nice surprise on Friday and well let's just say that my flat now starts looking like a real home! I got the best seamstress ever, her name is- MOM *lol* Went shopping for materials and what this lady cannot do with fabrics and a sewing machine, well let's leave it to magicians.

Anyway last week there was a very nice holiday break in the middle of the week and as wonderful as that is - it was of course raining! Wunderbar! The whole week, the sun was shining and the birds singing. But I guess since it was holidays, the birds took a day off as well. And brought the sun with them, 'cause it wasn't shining here no! =)

And even better was that it was perfect weather for just staying at home, reading a book, lighting some candles and listening to (at the moment) my favourite song "Was wir alleine nicht schaffen" Wunderbar is all I say... =)

But then I woke up realising; one floor is better than 8 pieces of sofas...
The book I'm reading is thicker than my wall and Portuguese people are more fun than this!!

So a cancelled picnic in the rain turned out to be a whole afternoon with 3 fun Portuguese girls studying here. Let me just say that Majix now comes with her on fan club =)) (I hope they'll find their way to O melhor bolo de chocolate du mundo")

I found out that I can start my own business and make quite a lot of money on it. It would be called "Galões e bolos tour com uma rapariga Sueca" =)) Hmm I wouldn't mind moving and trying it out *lol*

Well tomorrow I'm trying out my bike to work... If I don't blog for a while, try to find me halfway to the office... =))

Fica bem e até já!!!

Beijinhos para tudos =)

/Majix

2007-05-20T23:20:00.000+02:00

This is the month of the Geminis so here's a dedication for all of us:

"You live more on the spot in the eye than on magnetic charisma. You radiate a healthy charm, which is unusual in today's shallow society. The curiosity makes you well-informed and tolerant.

Often the Gemini surrounds herself with a wide and miscellaneous group of friends. You may have problems committing yourself as your interest often is passionate but short, which sums up most things in your life. You like changes!!"

"You are unusually happy all this period -enjoy the feeling as long as you can. At work the tempo is speeding up and now is the time to follow if you want to have a chance to develop as you would like. There are many hungry colleagues who would like to take the fight. Remember that it's not always the sharpest elbows that win, some self confidence can be as impressive. Show that you believe on your ability to succeed."

So dear friend Geminis, recognize yourselves?? =))

Well I'm counting 5 days for the big breakdown!! woohooo!!

DJ VIBE no LUX Sexta feira is waiting for us!! =))

Até já!!

Beijinhos

/M

2007-04-30T08:46:00.000+02:00

Helllooooo!

here I am at my office, not working as you may see but we're waiting for breakfast to be ready so i thought I'd write down some lines.

Today it's 25 days left before take off back hoooome!! Boa Lisboa!!! =)) Can't wait!
Since the project i had on my white board took over the whole place, I had to download some software to manage that. So now my white board is empty and what can be better than to start the countdown on it?! =))

There's one news concerning the trip and that's that my colleague is coming with us! *Lol*

we were supposed to go to Stockholm for a party for a client, but the plane was delayed so we missed the party and headed downtown here instead. Ended up having a meeting over some beers and after dinenr we went to get some drinks. And as usaul i started talking about Lisboa and just quickly asked my colleague to come with and he thought it was cool, so now we'll be 4 people coming! Woohooo

I can't wait to see you all, the cioty and the beaches.... MMmmm Maybe we'll even have time for a Santini icecream! Yummy!

Tonight there's a fire cermony all around Sweden and after the body Combat class I'm heading to my parents place 'cause tomorrow we have the day off!! Sweet!

Well gotta get some breakfast.

Hasta!

2007-04-06T21:33:00.000+02:00

"Ha viagens de aventuras ,

viagens de estudo,
viagens de negócios.
E outras ainda.
A viagens felizes e infelizes.
Viagens em que se enriquece,
viagens em que se morre de saudade..."

2007-04-01T22:45:00.000+02:00

Heellooooo,

So Maja is once again kind of late with the updates.... And the blogg you'll read about now will be about some stuff that happened a while ago.

In one week I went to lots of meetings and as you'll see on the picture below, one of the was in Stockholm. Well after concidering that I sent you a huge mail recently, I woun't nagg about this trips anymore so just enjoy the pics. And thanks to those who responded!!!! (That means I'm thinking about you lazy ones who didn't :-P)

Fica bem!

I'll try to get back here soon.....

Bjns

Stockholm

Oh these 2 pictre are definately not Stockholm! This is the first sunny day in Växjö!!! And apparently there are alot of people living here since it was crowded around the lake.. But the last weekedn it was crazy! We had 22 degrees, P L U S!! ;)

Ah so I'll post some pics from my hometown as well, and please take a look at the surroundings even though the pics are full of people.

Greetings from Suecia

2007-03-11T12:29:00.000+01:00

Oiiii! =)

Tdo bem? =)

So i have survived almost a month at work, sorry Cecilia but I didn't die after my 2nd week hihihi. Although I thought I would die yesterday, trying to get out of bed... I went to my gym for the first time since June, 2006.... And i was looking forward all week to go to the yoga class on Friday afternoon. Anyway I got out from work a bit later than planned and managed to arrive to the gym 2 minutes before the class started just in order to know that it was too full and that people who had been waiting were already let in. So the receptionist told me that I could take the body combat class instead if I wanted to because it wasn't full... Hmmm after mentally been preparing to yoga and take it easy I said what the heck and jumped right in to the fighting in the Body combat haha. It was so much fun! And it was one of my favourite instructors so it wasn't at all hard to change the mindset. However, I could have gone sleeping just an hour after arriving home, being totally exhausted after the work out but I managed to finish some work and hit bed.

But getting up in the morning the day after was a bit harder.... My parents arrived to my flat really early because I had asked them to go hunting for sofas to my flat. they got here at 9!!! Joder! hahah. Anyway, they brought breakfast and some homemade food so they were excused pretty fast hihih. We went from shop to shop to find the ultimate sofa and finally I sat down in one sofa and felt total relaxation so I got that one! Great not having to sit on the floor for more weeks, but as everything great also has a bad side, this sofa is being hand made in a town really close here and it will take about 6 to 8 weeks for delivery... I guess I'll enjoy my nice floor for some more time =)) But it doesn't matter, because in contradiction to Lisbon I have a really comfortable bed here so I don't complain =D

Anyway after sofa hunting we went to a Greek restaurant for some good food and then just chilling. Today I'm thinking whether to go to the body pump or not... I have to be at work this week so maybe I shouldn't but it's time to get in shape again! Soon it's summer time and Lisbon time =)))

I have met most of my friends who are left here and I can tell you they are not many!! I found out most of them moved out and moved abroad. But lovely Fishy was here visiting for a day and it was great to see here and yesterday I bumped into Karin, gsus it's been ages!! Honeys I already planned Nike Convention in Stockholm in january! =)

As we have been working like hell lately and everyone is exhausted me and my colleague have told our boss we should go on a small trip all together and just hang out. Because as it is now it's great but we don't really know each other haha, we don't have time for personal stuff haha. Anyway me and my smart colleague Jocke thought that Lisbon would be great for this reason. He has been in Lisbon some times when he was working for an event company. So VIVA LISBOA!!!

Até já tudos!!

Saudades e beijinhos

/Maja de Portugal =)

2007-02-26T21:37:00.000+01:00

On Monday the Germans arrive, properly dressed and right on time. Tuesday comes and the Italians are a bit late, but who cares they made good pasta. On Wednesday the French people realise that they are only 15 minutes late, they are so proud that they give themselves a few more minutes in bed (which in real time would be the whole afternoon). On Thursday the Estonians already started partying. They get hold of some vodka and all of a sudden all the furniture is gone and by midnight all the sleeping people somehow ended up in the Estonians room (yes they had to steal them too).

Every Friday there's a package waiting for the Belgians, containing tons of chocolate and cartoons. (We can coun't them out from the party, they'll be busy). The only sign of life will be a constant smack and once in a while a giggle.
On Saturday the Czech will join the party, but don't look for any Vodka in the Supermercado, the Czech are good at cleaning the shelves (of Vodka of course). The Swedish girl no one has seen during the whole week, finally shows up to join the after party. Since she hasn't been drinking from Monday to Friday (come on they don't do that in Sweden) she makes it up by drinking up everything she has in half an hour, because you have to be quiet at midnight and in Sweden the rules are to be followed! Stand in line people, come on! Two and two!

By the time the vodka is out, the Germans got hold of lots of free beer, so now it's getting "geil"! On Sunday the only people you'll meet in the living room are the Germans and the Swedes because they are used to get up in time. (Boring huh?) Oh and not to forget our lovely dog, who speaks 6 languages (7 if you count' the different accents of Woff wooofff)

Yeah, so we live like a big happy family. The catholic Czechs are happy that Jesus is our Homie and protects us from the evil surrounding in the world. Corcovado bless us all!

2007-02-25T23:31:00.000+01:00

Oi pessoal!

Tdo bem??

So Madge the badge made it to coooold sweden. Damn it i'm out of shape when it comes to manage the cold. That is the cold outdoors of course, because I have something called heaters, in every room, which was invented to keep human beings warmer inside the house when it was freezing outside. Kind of a good idea, a great tip for the Portuguese ;-) (sorry guys, just had to=))

I had the best trip of my life, to get back to this cold place up north. For those of you who haven't heard it, here it comes once again, laugh or cry, do whatever, as long as you don't chose flights where you have to connect in Heathrow....

"Yesterday i had the longest fight of my life, Roch i love you but i don't think i'll ever travel through london again =/

Of course i had some bags too much but i had less than 1 hour to change flight in heathrow and as soon as i got of the plan a guy stopped me and told me i had to check in my trolley. Because of new rule you can only carry one item at the heathrow airport.. I had almost 4 hand luggage... My trolley, my small computer, my little purse and the o melhor bolo de chocolate do mundo.. Anyway, fine i went out to the terminal to check in, just to find out that i had to go to another terminal just for my flight. Great, it was about 15min left until the gate closed...

To get to the other terminal i had to catch a train (yes...) that should have taken about 5 min, and it does, once the train starts running... Anyway i got off at the right terminal at last and it was a huge mess at this place... I really love the airport in lisbon and Copenhagen compared to heathrow =) Anyway i catched a very stressed guy who didn't want to talk to me, but i showed him my ticket and then the clock (which already was 16.00, meaning the gate was probably closed and the flight would take off in 10min). he took me to a counter where the slowest lady at this place worked, i checked in my trolley (of course there was no time for paying extra which was good) but ten i had to go through the security-once again. I once again jumped the cue and asked a very nice man where to go. He looked at me and my bag with he cake and asked what it was. I told him and he said it was a very cute idea, but the guy at the security check would never let me in with 2 items. So he told me to take out my computer, because i would have to do that anyway and then we somehow squeezed in the cake in to the computer bad. I rushed in, jumped the cue for metal detectors just to found out, above all other things, I had to take off my boots.. Oh god! Even the cows at acores are treated in a better way than humans at an airport. Anyway there was a really nice asian girl letting me jump the cue and holding my stuff in order to get off my boots. I finally ran out and searched for a monitor to check my flight. Just to find out it was one hour.... lovely! Que bom! Hahaha. I was dead carrying all things and everything, but ainda bem because otherwise i wouldn't have made it for my flight...

Well the story doesn't really end there... Once on board we waited about 30min out on the yard just to take off and once landed in copenhagen, the bag i checked in at the airport in london was the first out on the belt and the one i checked in in lisbon still hasn't arrived.... Apparently it was still in london when i ahd landed in copenhagen. I will now call them and check where it is, because not only my glasses are there but also and important t-shirt, my galão cup and a precious bottle of port wine.... i arrived in my bed in my hometown about 4hrs later than expected...."

Anyway i'm now in my new flat and i really like it! It's not portuguese standard but still ;-) And my job is really cool! After one week at the job i went to Copenhagen yesterday to hold a presentation about our company for a client! haha talk about fast moving! Well it went really good and afterwards me and my colleague had a bottle of champagne in the city centre of Copenhagen, that was really nice and motivating!! =))

However, the weather i woun't even mention, the amount of people i meet "downtown" at 23.00 on a friday is equal to NONE! Incredible... I'm experiencing a great cultural chock.... (in my homecountry, but not my hometown! Because home now is Lisboa..... =))

Take care folks and see you soon! You're all welcome anytime!!!

Muitos beijinhos para todos!!

Kochanie: are you living great time at the airports??? Let's go shopping!! Miss u! Lots of kisses
Duchess: are you taking care of cultura da chá and the galões for me? Swedich people have problems with too many blonds... =))Miss u!! Baci!
Godfather I: You see i told you i'll take care of the family bussines! ;-) But I need a driver.... Come and help me out! Grandes beijos
Pedro: Let's go and drink coffee!! I miss it so much! You also owe me a long ride with your new car, without any cops ;-) Miss u lots... Muitos beijinhos
Papiii: Mamiii misses you lots!!! Madrid in july! but before that:LUX! and Paella!! Osteia!! Jooooooooooder!Muuuuaaaa! be a good student ;-)

Lots of amore

/M

2007-02-20T22:42:00.000+01:00

Last day at home - Lisboa

The one with both a house and a bag... =)

On Sunday night my bag finally arrived!! I thought i would get an heartattack while looking through to see if the bottle of port wine actually survived. And it did! Hallelulja!! =) Almost felt like opening the bottle to celebrate but I thought better not to ;-)

So here I am, in a slightly bigger apartment than my old one... It's lovely! Well, I spend some time at work, so it's really just chillin' when I get back home. I don't dear going to the gym yet... Will do my best to get there these days...

Update soon again, as well as pics. Anyway, anyone interested in visiting - Bem Vindo!! =))

Beijos

/Maja

2007-02-16T23:52:00.000+01:00

Hi guys,

after almost 24 hours in sweden i'm still missing out one bag, haven't got used to the coldness outside (-8), but most of all no noises at all! But almost the worst, no galão.... hmm... ;-) I miss lisbon....

Well i'll just write shortly to let you know what's up.

Yesterday i had the longest flight of my life, Roch i love you but i don't think i'll ever travel through london again =/
Of course i had some bags too much but i had less than 1 hour to change flight in heathrow and as soon as i got of the plan a guy stopped me and told me i had to check in my trolley. Because of new rule you can only carry one item at the heathrow airport.. I had almost 4 hand luggage... My trolley, my small computer, my little purse and the o melhor bolo de chocolate do mundo.. Anyway, fine i went out to the terminal to check in, just to find out that i had to go to another terminal just for my flight. Great, it was about 15min left until the gate closed...

To get to the other terminal i had to catch a train (yes...) that should have taken about 5 min, and it does, once the train starts running... Anyway i got off at the right terminal at last and it was a huge mess at this place... I really love the airport in lisbon and copenhagen compared to heathrow =) Anyway i catched a very stressed guy who didn't want to talk to me, but i showed him my ticket and then the clock (which already was 16.00, meaning the gate was probably closed and the flight would take off in 10min). he took me to a counter where the slowest lady at this place worked, i checked in my trolley (of course there was no time for paying extra which was good) but ten i had to go through the security-once again. I once again jumped the cue and asked a very nice man where to go. He looked at me and my bag with he cake and asked what it was. I told him and he said it was a very cute idea, but the guy at the security check would never let me in with 2 items. So he told me to take out my computer, because i would have to do that anyway and then we somehow squeezed in the cake in to the computer bad. I rushed in, jumped the cue for metal detectors just to found out, above all other things, I had to take off my boots.. Oh god! Even the cows at acores are treated in a better way than humans at an airport. Anyway there was a really nice asian girl letting me jump the cue and holding my stuff in order to get off my boots. I finally ran out and searched for a monitor to check my flight. Just to find out it was one hour.... lovely! Que bom! Hahaha. I was dead carrying all things and everything, but ainda bem because otherwise i wouldn't have made it for my flight...

Well the story doesn't really end there... Once on board we waited about 30min out on the yard just to take off and once landed in copenhagen, the bag i checked in at the airport in london was the first out on the belt and the one i checked in in lisbon still hasn't arrived.... Apparently it was still in london when i ahd landed in copenhagen. I will now call them and check where it is, because not only my glasses are there but also and important t-shirt, my galão cup and a precious bottle of port wine.... i arrived in my bed in my hometown about 4hrs later than expected.

Anyway, sweden is really calm and quiet (or my hometown atleast). Tomorrow i'm going to växjö to move in and on monday morning at 8.00 am i have to be at the office. It's gonna be a very interesting weekend =))

Well i have to go and call some guys at the airport now! I think this is a matter for Il padrino ;-)

Fica bem e ate logo ;-)

beijnhos

2007-02-03T21:36:00.000+01:00

Hey everyone!

Hope your doing good! I've been lazy updating this blog once again, but at the moment i don't have a great internet connection since i moved... well hope to fix that soon.

Anyway at the moment I'm at açores!! Wow what an island (in the middle of nowhere) it's incredible green and just water and cows everywhere. Yesterday i went whale watching! Wow that was an experience... and we saw dolphins as well... incredible, i really can't find words to explain this experience... it was breathtaking. but being on this island is really like being one with the nature or at least know that you're little just a small little thing in this huge world...

we rent a car today and drove around, while it was raining and raining and really windy, but the views.... oh dear good... it's like being in a ghost island but at the same time in the movie of sound of music (except the houses and more cows)... =))

Mercedes limousine

well little news from me, take care see you soon!

beijo grande!
/M

2007-01-16T00:48:00.000+01:00

The one with the brother....

So another joyful Swede came to visit in at the end of December and it was my brother, who unfortunately picked one of the coldest weekends in Lisbon. Anyway he got a hot plate to make his meat at (see pic) and then a walk around Bairro Alto, which never really is just a walk... For those who've been there know what i mean ;-)

Ingen rök utan eld, eller hur var det? =)

Torre de Belém

Home sweet home - Lisboa

There's always time for some partying ;-)
Com minha querida =)))

Well, no tourist guide will be provided on this homepage, you better move your behind and see it all yourself :-P

There has been complaints of too much writing and too few pictures, so therefore this episode of "bro' in da hood" will has been shown with pictures... Enjoy! Or not... ;-)

Até já!

/M

2007-01-13T12:16:00.000+01:00

For all football freaks...

Latest news in Portugal concerning football, reveals that Portuguese football players are in a strike!! (Yes ladies, it's hilarious! Hahaha)

The story is that football players didn't have to pay taxes because they work (play) for a short time of their lives. But now they government has decided that the football players have to pay taxes anyway and this has made the players so furious that they went out on a strike (haha sorry I'm dying over here haha). I mean, it's almost as when the metro is on strike, you can really see the equivalence between those two :P

Hope you have prolonged your lives laughing as much as I have =)))

Spooooooorting =)

2007-01-08T13:09:00.000+01:00

The one with the visits...

First out was Diana... Poor girl... She didn't know what waited her.
Directly upon her arrival we went to Miradouro da Graca for tostas mistas, fresh orange juice and galões of course. Then I dropped her of at Rossio and went to my course. In the evening we prepared a little party in the flat and afterwards we hit the Erasmus party in Fama.... auch... =)

Home sweet home =)

Happy people at Fama

Friday we got up "early" to do some sightseeing, Baixa-Chiado, Vasco da Gama and Expo 98,
very nice.

In the evening it was Il Padrino's birthday so we got ready and went partying-again =) We ended up in Kapital (as usual for some reason) and had a nice breakfast at the hidden bakery in Praca do Chile on our way home =))

Il Padrino I =))

Saturday, we were kind of crashed but managed anyway to go to Castelo São Jorge and after that ofcourse, Pois café =)) and as Diana didn't know the way of life in Lisbon, she had booked a flight back home at 7.45 on Sunday morning.... Bad, bad choice... We could have hit Lux, but we would have had to go when the party really starts there ;-)

Até já querida!! =))

2007-01-03T12:09:00.000+01:00

Merry Christmas... =)

So in order to do something different, I went to Torino for Christmas =) I left warm Lisbon for a cold and foggy, but beautiful Torino. I had a date at the airport in Munich with a friend, but as I went with Portuguese air force, we were late of course ;-) But Favila and I thought it was cold in Lisbon when he drove me to the airport in the morning, but that was nothing compared to Munich!! Brr...

anyway the flight went ok and I arrived on time!! Wohoo =) The mountains surrounding the city are amazing, covered with snow. From the flight one can see the really organised city of Torino as the streets are straight and sharp.

So, my biggest experience in Torino were the big family dinners! If you think you can eat for long and a lot, you should experience an Italian Christmas... On the 24th dec we went to Cecilia's granddad's house were we started with aperitivo (liquido e antipasti) then to the pre-courses, consisted of I have no clue of how many "entradas"! Anyway, we ate the pre-courses for some 3 hours! (Salads, vegetables, pies, salmon, raw (?/%#!) minced meat, prosiuto etc...) Then there was a small brake, then we had the middle course (of homemade pasta of course), then brake again and then the main course (meat) and then the most incredible dessert ever: chocolate mousse... Yammii.... No comments really, it was like heaven =)

Then most of us fell in food coma, (me definitely) and the next the there was a re-run of this but at Cecilia's grandmother's house and with the rest of her family. Her grandma's house was amazing, it was like being transferred back to the 1800s, though the house belong to a mistress of some important guy in those days. Cool huh? =)

Anyway, the coolest I think was Cecilia's house, her mom's bed&breakfast, with a big tower, garden and lots of animals. And probably the coldest house I've ever experienced!

The rest of the time, we were more or less in food coma and when we were awake we were sightseeing of course. Poor Cecilia had to be a guide to so many places she already been to. The tower was quite cool to go up in and the museum of Cinema was just incredible! Visit it if possible!
One thing though, that I wasn't prepared of was the cold! Brrr... We were freezing almost all the time. Except for in the apartment, because thanks god the Italians are a bit more concerned about their health and have central heating in the houses ;-)

We went for drinks and aperitivos, pasta and pizza and I met Cecilia's great friends. It was cool and the language is just adorable... =))

As it was my first time in Italy, I had my prejudice about the Italian, just like they have of us "Swedich" people ;-) Here's my little list hihih (just for fun guys ok?)

5 minutes after landing a guy started flirting with me
Italy looked exactly as in the movies
There are a lot of pizzerias and pasta places
Yes the pasta and the pizza is incredible!!!
The families are big
The girls are tiny and skinny
Impossible to find your size
Italian are often "in late" =))

My whole stay in Torino felt like being in a movie from the 1940s-50s. The streets and the light of the city. And not to forget the voice of the guy announcing the trains at the train station... Torino was like "La dolce Vita" =))

2006-12-30T16:10:00.000+01:00

So after only 30 minutes back home (Lisbon) I:

waited once again for my luggage for about 30 min
was struck once again that it was hot outside
sensed the smell of the best coffee in the world: galão =)
tried to talk Portuguese without any success
was asked for my phone number from a taxi driver (?%&¤%!!!)
got once again struck by how cold it is in our apartment!
already missed my flatmates who are not here
I had to run to the metro, because I was already late :-P
and... I realised how much I had missed home =))

So where have I been then well... that will be come in the next episode ;-)

Later 'gator! =))

2006-11-28T09:02:00.000+01:00

The one with the muscles.... (ache)

So yesterday I went to body pump, after about 4 months of doing...nothing! Was at the uni all day long in order to study, as the exams are upcoming. And after a nice afternoon at the library I decided to go (in the nice rain) to the gym. We were only 6 people! Haha. And I thought it would be crowded like at TL in Växjö. Anyway, it was hard to not take the same amount weight as usual but I was strong enough (mentally) to take away some weights, and I thank god for that! Otherwise I would hardly be able just to type on this computer!

Well, it was a program from this summer so I could follow quite easily even though the instructor was screaming in poPortuguesethe sound in that hall is not the best. Well as we say in Sweden; "Slutet gott allting gott" =) Can also be concluded as the instructor very openly hit on me during and especially after the class. No time for running away from that at all.... ;-)

I had a very relaxing Sunday, with the most inspiring, alive girl ever around here. My dear Rochelle. We took a walk around the park in Marques de Pombal and discussed how nice (?) and easy (?) life is sometimes.. Well no complaints about the weather nor the company though! =)

Now I have a date with my books, but I don't mind at all. The view we have from the library hits anything in Växjö :-P

Beijos =)

PS: Update about last weeks actions is on its way ;-)

2006-11-26T14:02:00.000+01:00

The one with shaking some ass....

Yes people, you haven't heard much from me and therefore I'm taking this time updating. And don't worry I'm not studying too much. "Too much studying damages your health" as a very smart person said ones =)

On Thursday, some week ago, Tiago persuaded me to go to a party in Loft that he promoted. (Växjö people: don't worry it's not Loft in Växjö. FAR from it... ;-) Well, I thought the best thing to do is to bring a bunch of people with me =)

We started out by a dinner at my house including famous people such as Il Padrino and PapiChulo =) After that we all went to Loft and really got shaking! The music was soooo good (another proof of it not being Sweden...) And it was really a good party going on! But the drinks they make here are amazingly strong! And not yet have I been able to get a Cosmopolitan... Still searching...

Well maybe I should start updating some more recent information huh?

Até já!

PS: Still wondering where the Portuguese are on Sundays.... Well me and Rochelle took a walk... Well, yeah we're not Portuguese so maybe that's why we were the only ones outdoors... =))

Marques de Pombal

2006-11-26T13:14:00.000+01:00

The one without Anna..........

So Anna left us... :(

She told me she was dropping the courses but I hadn't really expected she would go home already this week... It went just a bit too fast. So on Tuesday we went for dinner Anna, Rochelle, Hannah, Andrew, Larissa and Merit at this really nice vegetarian restaurant. We had a nice chat and made plans for upcoming hollidays in each and one of our countries. And I'm counting on Anna in Sweden soon as well as a trip for me to Amsterdam =))

After the dinner we saw this really akward portuguese movie... I honestly can't say I recommend portuguese films... Anyway, everyone seemed to have survived without any further phsycological effects.. Good!

Well, on Wednesday Anna had a good-bye dinner and we were all there having a nice time, still talking about further plans and expectations about the future. I think it's enough said about this. Anna you got your t-shirt with all necessary info ;-) Especially the part about Papi chulo and Lammkött =))

Take care dear and see you sooooooon! Adoro te!

/M

2006-11-19T22:15:00.000+01:00

Where are all portuguese people on Sundays???

Walking around this city, there are always people everywhere; the small narrow streets in Cic's "hood", in the park, in the pastelarias, at the uni, at the footbalcourt, at Avenida de Liberdade, the metro of course, in Oriente, Alfama, Baixa and Chaido, you name it... BUT on sunday mornings they all disappear *poof*. No one - no where... Well as I had a relaxing weekend this weekend I got the chance to get up normal (swedish" time, i.e around noon and actually walk outdoors (since I'm in Portugal and it is still nice weather), I noticed that there's no life in town. I recalled the very first day here, when João had to pick me up "early" on a Sunday and was surprised how empty the streets were. And believe me, they are.... =))

2006-11-12T20:48:00.000+01:00

The one about the Gala... =)

Fab 5 (after some cocktails... ;-)

Well, yet another wonderful weekend passed in this greatest city of cities. On Thursday I went to the Gala of my university. After many doubts of going there it turned out to be really good! Dead tired as I was I still had a huge desire of going shopping and I dragged poor Cecilia to keep me company. After hard abuse of my credit card I decided to have a cocktail party at my place before the take off to the Gala. Dress to impress and that's exactly what we girls wanted. After some cocktails at my place we took a cab (since, as mentioned earlier, it's impossible to walk in this city with high heels) to the club Kapital. In line, we met the Godfather, i.e my wonderful fellow student and all his friends, so the waiting didn't end up being too boring.

So at the club, me and Anna were tallest as usual and i guess some people might have thought we were some important people, taking pictures all the time... Well, it's hard being famous, I'll tell you that... *lol*

The music was great, as always in Kapital and the balcony was crowded of (drunk) well-dress and fixed people. Great party with other words, even though our high heels were killing us at the end.

Just realised that I'm probably too tired to write anything about this now, since my brain is really on vacation after a hard weekend of ehh... life? =)

Ah yeah, last weekend we went to a "moving-in" party at a friend's place and the night started out with really good atmosphere in our apartment where we cooked and drunk a lot of wine, before being some 4 hours late for the party... Well, we are all doing our best to adapt to the Portuguese culture ;-)

My lovely flatmates =)

The party was good and people were really relaxed and not to mention this huge apartment in the centre of the city... When the boose was starting to run out we hit a club, that unfortunately was closed so we ended up at.... LUX! This wonderful place on earth! One of the most well known clubs in Europe, and I heard that John Malcovich is one of the owners.. Really good music, fancy people and lots of space in a very nice designed space www.luxfragile.com

So check it out, book your flight and see you here!! (I'm off to catch some sleep....) =))

2006-11-06T00:44:00.000+01:00

The one without the good excuse.... (but I do have fun)

Yes I know... I've been really bad in updating this page but there has been quite alot going on here and I hope you'll take that in to consideration... Until I find more time (or the day expands to 36 hours) I'll post some picture so you back home, dear friends in Sweden, can envy the nice weather we have here =)

(Photo on top was pasta night at the British Colony, i.e Rochelle, Hannah and Larissa. Nice mix with people from all over the world, especially the experience of meeting people who don't speak english.. yeah so my portuguese was really good ;))

Breakfast com minha queridas Marta e Cecilia ao Miradouro da Graca... Best view ever =)

(Breakfast at 13.00 that is ;-) Toast, fresh orange juice and of course a galao)

Alfama - the real Lisbon with steep narrow streets and hidden restaurants

The famous tram no. 28, going through the most beautiful places in Lisbon. It's a pure pleasure and no amusement park is needed if you have this tram! The streets are narrow and steep =)

My darlings, Rochelle and Merit

Super-duper multi-cultural: Sweden/Serbia-Germany/Croatia, in Portugal of course ;-)

My university, ISCTE
(awardwinning for its architecture)

The amazing view from Castelo de Sao Jorge

That's all for this time folks, now I'm gonna sleep and then tell you all about the weekend ;-)

2006-10-15T17:16:00.000+02:00

So last night there was a big party at my uni. And I mean B I G, not really something the student association would throw at Stallarna but HUGE! And it was so bloody good! We met for dinner at Anna's house, this crazy, lovely dutch girl who cooked for a bunch of girls and I don't know what she put in the pasta but we ended up singing (screaming) karaoke... Bad, really bad...

They even tried to kill me.... Thanks chicas... did I really sing that bad?? :P

After Larissa insisted to have whiskey shots we decided, with legs like spaghetti, to go to the party.. We were early but that doesn't mean that you can't use the time effectively. Which some of us did ;-)

Me, Larissa and Anna (all crazy...)

Does it get more crazy... we'll see next time ;-)

The party was sooo good! Virtual effects everywhere, amazing music on all stages and so much people! Well, maybe the virtual effects were even greater among those who had a beer, or two... Of course you got to know the right people (bartenders) which we did, that equals with lots of beer... The rest I think you can get on your own if it's a "ladie's night". Anyway, I danced like crazy and the ones who know me, knows how I was at this night =)

DJ Vibe was really good, but so were the rest of the DJs and those who thought the ticket was expensive should really re-think, I would have payed more for this party! =) My price would also have include the deporture of some annoying portuguese guys, namely Bob 1,2 and 3 trying to make fun of a blond (??), blueeyed (??), poor (yes), swedish (yes) girl... Shame on you! =) Thank God there were nice Erasmus students you can always count on helping you out =)

Well I can give you a 25 page long report about the party, but I woun't. I'm just gonna end by saying;

Too bad for You that missed it out!! :P

2006-10-11T11:16:00.000+02:00

The one with the wicked weekend...

So another weekend has past in this amazing city. On Friday Papi Chulo had a ladies night which was highly appreciated. Papi Chulo had prepare a lot of food and caipirinja and sangria of course. In the flat there were 5 other spanish-speaking girls which really made it a "ladies" night. So when the three guys of the house showed up they got kind of a positive surprise since there were about 12 ladies talking loudly over the music. Of course the bars in Bairro Alto were the next stop and too bad Papi Chulo lives in the neighbourhoos ;-) We found a place were you get fruitshots for 1,5 € (yes Swedish people it is true!) But the best with these shots is not of course that they are cheap but it's real fruit and they taste damn good! So now it's a place you have to go to before you go somewhere else =) We had a "few" shots in a short amount of time... =)

Then we were looking for some Erasmus party somewhere that we couldn't find and people got lost and all but we ended up at a bar called Mercado anyway and it was damn good because the French DJ Kid Loco was playing!! Nice i'd say =)

Next day on saturday I went surfing for the first time in my life... What is there else to say than I'm still alive and I loved it!! Damn what a kick you can get and all the adrenalin pumping in your body! First of all, it doesn't look to be that hard but trust me it is! Just staying on the bord is a project and getting up is something totally different!

In the evening I had a dinner for some friends and most of us were pretty tired (especially after surfing) so no one was really up for going out. However, after the dinner and all the wine we were suddenly drinking rum and portowine.. How this happend, who knows. Next step was that we were going to Bairro Alto just for O N E beer. As you know there is never just ONE beer. That combination of words does not excist in the real world =) Nevertheless, the night just got better and better and at the end we ended up in the strangest bar/club I've been to. It was crowded with people and loud music from the 80's, 90's and early 2000 playing. We had a great time anyway because we stayed until they closed ;-) And that was somwhere around 7 am... So we wanted breakfast and ended up, once again, in Bairro Alto at this very very small bakery which apparently was open at this hour. The lady was very nice but had problems accepting that I was Swedish and not Portuguese... People really get surprised when I don't speak Portuguese and it's even more fun that not one single day passes by that someone asks me for the way or where some place is located. Sometimes I get them, sometimes not. However it's even worse when you know ehere this palce is but you can't explain it. Therefore, I spent some hours yesterday talking Portuguese with some people who did not know a n y English at all. (That's kind of a cultural chock for Swedish people that there are people who don't speak English) But I liked it, since it really forces you to practice this very easy (??!!??) language.

Anyway Saturday was marked by unexpected happenings, fun and some stuff about not walking properly and having an obsession of your ass... Nothing said, nothing revealed ;-) I crashed the bed around 8.30 am.... That's a system that would never work in Sweden but it really does here. However, don't count on getting up early on Sunday mornignand being able to do something because it's quite impossible. First of all, getting up early would imply somewhere around 15-16 o'clock and common you already missed out the whole day! Second of all, that's how life works here anyway, there's noone up before 2 pm.

Me and Raluca, still happy at 7 am =)

2006-10-02T21:14:00.001+02:00

The one with the beginning...

So maybe it's time to actually reveal what happened when I arrived here...

My first experience with Portugal was that I didn't understand what anyone said. Honestly it sounded like they whispered and talked as if they were to lazy to pronounce any word. But my second experience was better because that was my fellow student João who waited for me at the airport. Even though it was early in portuguese terms (eleven o'clock', that's like late in Sweden but ok) he waited there with his Brazil t-shirt and even though I didn't meet his expectations of being blond he drove me to the students residence where I would live for a start. Of course there was noone there so we couldn't get in. Met a german guy outside who had the same problemn so we chatted for a while and then some girls open the door and we could enter only to find a phone number, that of course was out of order at first but 'til the end a man came to give us the keys. The worries didn't stop there if you'd think so. My name wasn't on the list for rooms, how about that?! I had sent every paper I should and even stressed with it and not even then did it work, but luckily I had my fellow student to talk to this man, who by the way didn't speak any english at all! Anyway I got a room at the end, and there were some girls already there but João had already planned my day so I just throw my stuff in the room and grabbed my wallet and my phone and we hit the city.

He drow me around for a while until we got to his flat where I met his parents, Pedro - his brother and their nephews. Then we went, the whole family to Expo for lunch. I was thrilled by this wonderful place on earth!

All pictures are from Expo, which is just a big area full of amazing (and interesting) architecture. I love this place!

The most famous building must be the pavilion which really is an amazing construction.

So back to the story. I had a great day, talking to João's family about everything. And honestly everyone is sooo nice! After dinner we went for a ride with the cable cars you can see on the picture, with a great view of the city. Then João and Pedro took me to Sintra, with the colourful castle (but we never went up there), to some cool beaches and to have the best icecream in the world!! At Santini's in Cascais!! Yammiii!! =)) Been there several times already ;-)

Wow we went to so many places I got home quite late and then I met all the 12 girls living in my doorm. During the time I've been away, Nadege, a french girl had become my roommate. And there were more people from France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Estonia. Cool =) The best part about the students hall was the fact that no guests ere allowed after 23.00 hahaha. Talk about being in kidnergarten! And if you thought that's just a rule, you should have seen João's (the man working there) face getting really angry when we had late parties with people not belonging to the residence hhihih. He actually went through the whole building every night (except for the weekend hehe)

I thinik this post is big enough already so I'll just stop here and next time I'll tell you all about the game bewteen Sporting - Inter/Milan that I saw live and how it is to eat snails.... ;-)

Hasta la vista baby!

2006-09-01T03:26:00.000+02:00

So finally, the moment has come....

Maja is once again online, but don´t start jumping up and down yet. I am online using a spanish computer so this time I will have a good excuse if something is misspelled ;)

So where the h*** to start... I think my strategy will be to take the most recent stuff first. Because Otherwise everything you´ll read will always be old news. So let´s start from yesterday. Or more correctly; this morning =) No, seriously. On thursday was my first day at ISCTE university where I´ll spend the rest of the year. We have been doing an orientation program for 3 days now and it has involved everything from meeting the staff, getting interesting information about the uni (;)) to go partying in Bairro Alto and then hit one of the many good clubs here. Wonderful orientation program I would say!

As my intensive language course didn't finish when I started at ISCTE, let's just say I was double booked for one week, meaning double appointments and double invitations for parties... So therefore I didn't have time to write. ;-)

....

But, let's get back on track. On Friday I stayed home for the very first time. Was a quite new experience I must say ;-) Haven't happen since I arrived here. But for people who like to sleep this is not the city to be in. Even though I stayed at home, going to bed early is not an option. And especially if you live with great people as my flatmates are. AND a good advice for all ladies out there: this is not the city for highheels! Unfortunatley the streets are made for suicides with highheels so don't try it...

This weekend I went to Algarve with about 50 other Erasmus students. Can you imagine the great organisation with 48 erasmus students and 2 Portuguese guys? Well let's just say that a bunch of Erasmus students is a great risk for society on their own. Then spice the whole situation with two (very) organised portuguese guys. Sounds like a good combination? It's fun if nothing else!! =) Or a "surprise" like everything else in this city ;-)

So, we went to Albufeira (great beach), Lagos (great beach) and Sagres (great cliffs for climbing and perfect waves for surfing). Of course, even though you're not in Lisbon, you can still party. Which was exactly what we did. On saturday evening we had a party at the youth hostel, which was supposed to be a 80's party. But as I said before, everything here is a surprise so Sugar Daddy showed up from the 70's, our own Papi Chulooooooo!! With his bitches of course ;)

And as the story continues, Charlie's Angels were also there to protect. It's not the easiest to protect society from Papi Chulo, his bitches and crazy Slovenians running around with a phone thinking that's the best way to pick up a girl. Come on.... (it was really smart!!) *lol* This is not it, if you thought so... Think again: Erasmus students, party.... what's missing...??? Sangria of course!!! Homemade by spanish people. Yeah, now I think we have a pretty good mess! =) The party ended early due to the fact that there were real human beings living at the youth hostel, who obviously have to sleep, for what reason that would be good I don't know... ;-)

So the story continous... The "day after" most of us could get up in time to hit the beach and get some sun and a bath in the nice clear blue water. That means all of us except for the italians, spanish and french ;-) Waves were high enough even for a sweede so no fear of loosing some bikinis or so... Enjoyed Lagos alot and will hopefully go back some day. There are more beaches to explore and of course for a Swedish girl, sun and beach is the ultimate thing as it is considered as exotic in Sweden! Yes of course we have sun and beach, but that's not really like the ones here. And you know what the best part is? It's only a 4 hours drive from Lisbon! Could it be better? I don't think so ;-)

2006-08-21T14:48:00.000+02:00

The adventure has just started…

I don’t know if I should be proud of myself or not. Packing could be considered my best and worst characteristic. Best because, if necessary, I would be able to pack an elephant in a trolley not larger than a kid’s lunchbox. Bad because I can do exactly this, bring to much stuff even though I try to limit myself with having smaller and smaller bags. So good or bad, who knows. In any case, at this very moment I am somewhere above France, probably in the area of Paris, so who cares? =) Unfortunately the view consists of clouds, clouds and clouds. However the sun is at least enjoyable.

It was a rainy and grey Copenhagen I left this morning at 7.25. I have been many times to Copenhagen airport, also called my second home, but never ever have I experienced so many people in terminal 2. I think I was doing the que just to check in for about half an hour, and then half an hour for the security check as well. Not to mention then that it was 5.40 in the morning and I had 3 heavy bags with me. However I was not bothered since I am on my way to hit the city Lisbon!

Last days in Sweden were filled with work, meeting friends and being with the family. I didn’t start packing until last night and lucky me that my computer started crashing in the morning. My dear brother came to rescue and borrowed me his laptop, which I wouldn’t consider a laptop since it weights tons and is huge (with a 17´ widescreen) However, brand new stuff are quiet nice =) It’s quite fun though looking at this screen and realize that you almost have to move your whole head to see all the corners…

Anyway, I have more or less counted the day until day but somewhere when it started getting really close, I stopped counting and suddenly I’m here. The week started very good with a big injection (vaccination) and then a trip to Växjö to settle the last things. Entering Växjö I got a flat tire and lots of meetings booked. Very nice start... However I got that fixed and got to all meetings in time but had to stress through town as the shops close early (Sweden you know). As we say in Sweden (bad translation): “If the end is good, everything is good” =) Then 4 more days at work when it was quite fun but tiresome as nothing works as it should.

Hey, why am I talking about work and all that, when I’m finally on my way! =) People around me were sad and my mom has been crying for some time now, but to be honest I don’t feel anything but excitement. I am not sad of leaving my “life” back home as I wouldn’t consider it life since there’s nothing going on in a small Swedish town. But am I then going “home”? Since it doesn’t feel like I’m going “away”. Or am I just so damn used to flying now that I think I’m going on vacation (a long one) and then coming back? Who knows and why waste energy thinking when you could just enjoy life and live by it wherever it takes you? =)

So that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Enjoy the flight and then see Lisbon for the first time ever =)

Hasta la vista ;-)

7 Days to go

2006-08-13T21:06:00.000+02:00

So you made it.....

Hi, Hej, Cao, Hey, Hola, Grüzie, Bom dia, Ciao and what else is there.... AND welcome to my blog. =)

With only 5 days left before take off, I am starting to be very energetic and excited about this trip! It's gonna be really nice to quit work, leave this small town and finally head to a big city.

The bag is still not packed, but as you know me it woun't be a problem packing the bags full ;-) (however I was a bit proud of myself only packing a small bag for Zürich) And not to forget, what you don't have and you really need, you can buy! (->Shopping!)

At this stage I'm making my colleagues at work irritated by reading information about travelling in Portugal. It's extra fun since most of them just returned from vacation hihi. I have 3 days left at work and I will miss my crazy colleagues, who throw roles at people, do chickenrace with forklifts, play football at the nightshifts etc etc, but hey that's life. Moving on. =)

Well, not knowing really where to start or what to do until Sunday morning, I'm now gonna head to the gym and do my last class in Body Combat. Instead of the gym I look forward to lots of walking and exploring Lisbon as well as all parties and trips. Who knows I might even try out surfing! =)

'Till next time,

Over and out =)

/M