Best Swedish Family

I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to spend the semester!

Going to miss them all...

The Hulphersgatan Family

December Fun:)

Well, the final count down of classes has finally began. My classes are officially over in a week and two days with only two finals after that! I am so excited... Then the real adventures begin. Here's a little itinerary for my last half of December:

I leave for Kiruna, Sweden on the 16th for the weekend....

This was on my top things to do before I went home. I get to go dog sledding, assuming they get some more snow (fingers crossed,) camp out in the middle of nowhere, see some reindeer, and if all goes accordingly see the aurora borealis, Northern Lights!!!

Then I'll be home for a few days to say some goodbyes (sad, it's almost over) to all of my house because they will not be returning before I leave... then off to Vienna, Austria I go:)

I saw these pictures of their Christmas Markets and I knew I had to go here...

A town full of Christmas lights, Candy, Decorations, and little stores throughout... Sounds like a wonderful alternative to being at home.... And they almost always have a White Christmas, not nearly as white as ours at home, but seeing as Sweden has no snow at all... I will take it!

I have already begun my daily viewing of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, literally the day after Thanksgiving:) Best Christmas movie ever!

I'll return from there on Christmas Eve to celebrate with the remaining Exchange students in Sweden... Surprisingly I think there might be a good handful of us left! We are all planning on having dinner at my house due to the fact that I am the last person here with a big kitchen and dining area!

Then my last trip of the semester (wow!) to Tallinn, Estonia and Riga, Latvia for a New Years Cruise with two of my friends here!

(We start in Stockholm, then go to Tallinn, Estonia for a few days, and then off to Riga, Latvia)

Sooo excited for this. Everyone has had amazing stories about their trips to both places through out the semester and I was always bummed that I missed out! But now I get my chance:)

And then one day later...

I'll post some pictures on the way!!! See you all in about a Month!

<3 Rach

The Pecka's Take Over Europe

It's been awhile since I have had time to post on here, but I thought a recap

of the last month that I have spent here is quite necessary.

After the departure of my two friends, Liz and Christina, I had one more visitor on the way!

My brother!

We had an exciting two weeks ahead of us including:

Stockholm, where we ventured through out the city to see the

Vasa Mueseum... An entire museum devoted to a ship that ended up sinking less than one mile into its departure into the sea. The ship may not have sailed long, but it spent a miraculous 333 years under water until it was dug out and then floated back to shore. The ship itself is in amazing condition for how long it spent in the water...

The Museum of Nordic Culture

And my favorite: the first ever IceBar... Everything from the walls, benches, bar and glasses was made of ice. 45 minutes in there, then the outside didn't feel so cold anymore:p

From Stockholm we went to Prague, Czech Republic.

It was such a fun city to visit filled with amazing architecture, the largest fortress in Europe, and cheap beer... 1-2 dollars isn't too bad for a pint when I am used to paying 8-9 for a tiny bottle in Sweden. We enjoyed roaming around in the city, but the cobblestone sure took a tole on my feet and my shoes.

Our last stop was Rome, Italy.

The historic content of this city is incredible and the views were just the same! From the Colosseum to St. Peters Basilica... Something is constantly catching your eye. And if the monuments and buildings don't... The pizza and pasta surly will!

We spent a full 4 days in Rome and still have plenty more that we could have done and ate.

Just another reason to return some other day...

Astronomical Clock

St. Charles Bridge
Castle

John Lennon Wall

Rome:)

Trevi Fountain:)

Me and then brad tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain - Means that you will come back someday:)

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Michelangelo's Pieta

The Colosseum

Wisconsin Takes Over London and Sweden

This past weekend was spent trying to see London in just a few short days... although I think we did a pretty great job at it, it was not nearly enough time in that city. The sights are gorgeous such as the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Eye, and the Parliament Building! Not to mention I was in great company, my two good friends Christina and Liz joined me in Sweden to take the journey. We then met up with another friend Kate who showed us the ropes seeing as she is living in Kensington. It was a great weekend and here are a couple of pictures.... Oh and we went to Church. Not your average church, but one that consists of a college students dressing up in the most obnoxious outfits at 10:00am, taking the tubes, and well going to the most amazing party I have ever been to! You'll understand once you see the pics...

PackAttack Takes Over Church:)

Group pic

Big Ben

The London Eye

Buckingham Palace

Little girl and Mom getting attacked by Swans

Biking through Hyde Park... Favorite thing!

Typical Tourists

M&M Abby Lane

Riding the Tubes!

To end the week, Christina and Liz came back to Sweden for a couple of days! We had fun walking around the city, going to the lake, and then visiting Stockholm and the Royal Palace..

Flat Stanley
USA... kinda
Bridge in Stockholm
Flame holder at the Casino in Stockholm
Well that's it for now! Brad gets in on Monday morning and we leave on Wednesday for Prague and Rome! Sooooo excited to see all of the sights and to have a little nicer weather! Let's hope it cooperates with us! Miss you alll!

<3 Rach

The Land of Leprechaun's and Scotties

This was by far the best trip I have ever been on. I was surrounded by great people and two amazing cities. We started out in Dublin. Not going to lie, I was expecting green grass and castles on hilltops... It was nothing of the sort. Dublin is the more industrial side of Ireland. It was gorgeous and the people were very nice, but definitely a different experience than expected. The pubs were a blast and we went on a couple tours... The old Jameson Distillery, the Guinness factory, and the Dublin Zoo to name a few. All were a blast and I took plenty of pictures to show it... Oh and did I mention it rained the entire time... oh well. At least we got the full Ireland experience.

View from the Gravity bar on the top floor of the Guinness Factory

The group... Bryan from Nebraska, Sara from Virginia, Me, Andrew from Canada, and Elaina from Boston (our new friend)

Can't leave the Guinness Factory without a Guinness Mustache picture

Kilmainham Gaol - The Famous Dublin Jail

The Start of the Dublin Zoo

Random shots throughout the Temple BAr area

Goodbye Ireland, Hello Scotland... Probably the most beautiful city I have been to thus far...

Edinburgh Castle

Sara and I in the Middle of the Royal Mile

Entrance of the Edinburgh Castle

View from Calton Hill

Edinburgh Castle at Night