Location: Pittsburgh, PA
As I write
this portion of my pilot entry, I'm looking out over Pittsburgh Intl's tarmac
awaiting my first connecting flight to Newark. Moving through security went
well, as well as snagging some Swedish currency at Travelex, but I had, and
still have, a pit in my stomach. Don't get me wrong; this is a very exciting
adventure. I'm thrilled for this opportunity, but leaving my parents behind at
security, knowing that I'm not returning to Clarkson with my friends right now (several
of whom are graduating this semester), and bracing myself for a couple weeks of
culture shock is a bit unnerving. I feel, though, that once I'm over the
Atlantic my emotions will take a turn for the better, maybe even enough for a
few moments of shuteye. The plan is to meet up with two other exchange students
in Stockholm, both of which have the same flight to Luleå. I'm looking forward
to not being alone walking up the jetway and through the concourse at the host
city.
I'm also
thinking about how the other students' here on this blog, Emily and Lauren, are
taking to their own adventures. Emily, whom I am an acquaintance, is already in
England. I'm unsure of Lauren's current status. Of course I wish them the very
best.
It's about
time to board.
Location: Somewhere Between Canada and
Greenland
Well I would
have to say that I had the first Swedish exper.... Ouch, Ouch, OUCH! Sorry
about that, the woman in front of me decided to abruptly put her seat back and
jam my laptop into my abdomen. Anyway, as I was saying, I've already had my
first Swedish experience on this flight. To start off, I had dinner, which
wasn't too bad, although I wasn't quite sure what you call a salad that has a
full slab of raw fish on top of it. But like I said, it wasn't too bad on my
highly Americanized palette. Then, to accompany my desert I had a cup of
coffee. Now I read before leaving for my trip that Swedes do indulge heavily in
coffee, and the brew I had was no exception. I'll put it to you this way for
comparison sake: it made Starbucks' dark roast look (and taste) like a heavily
sugared light roast. Nonetheless, after the first few sips I enjoyed it.
I mentioned
earlier that I felt that things would improve for me emotionally, replacing
fear of the unknown with adventurous excitement. I am slowly feeling better as
the flight grows longer (although my abdomen may still be a little sore).
On a
completely unrelated note: I've never seen so many blonde passengers in an
airplane before (both male and female alike). I can definitely tell this flight
is going to Sweden.
Location: (Finally) In Luleå
I'm settled
into my room and am already making plans with my assigned "buddy"
tomorrow to explore the town and see what all is available to me. The entire
area here is what I expected to be like in terms of aesthesis and resources.
One big difference I've come across today is how mobile phones are managed. In
the US we are almost completely forced into a contract. Here, on the other
hand, from my research today, most phones are sold "unlocked" and you
pay-as-you-go. The phones tend to be more expensive but because I'm not locked
into a contract for my short duration I don't have to worry about cancellation
fees. With that being said, I'm definitely getting a phone for local calling
purposes.
The weather
coming through Luleå was comparable to the weather predominant in the North
Country: snowy and cold. At least I won't have to get accustomed to the cold seeing
as I've acclimated myself while at Clarkson for three years.
I haven't
gotten any pictures yet. I've been too busy settling in today. After those
three flights I needed some space. But tomorrow I'm planning on taking my
camera out and about. In the next couple of days I'll report back on what I've
found so far.
Wish me
luck!
-Jonathan
-Jonathan
Go to Jonokoping!
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