Amsterdam

Current Destination: In transit to Vienna

Now before I start with this post I have one important thing to mention, I have finished my entire nursing placement in Sweden, hooray!

As I write this I am currently on a five-hour bus ride to Vienna watching beautiful green fields zoom past. Before you all think how boring, let me inform you about this bus; it has mini televisions providing games (no battleships), TV episodes of friends and multiples of movies, a host, free tea, coffee and hot chocolate, leather reclining seats and snacks. Plus I have a blog to update.

Aim: 4 Countries in 17 days

First Destination: Amsterdam, Netherlands

To begin Amsterdam was VERY uneventful; nothing happened and was very boring, do not go there. We have come to the conclusion that Amsterdam is the Vegas of Europe, therefore ‘what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam’.

We all sat at the station with our seven bags of luggage (as we were all sending suitcases back home to Australia) contemplating how we would exactly entertain ourselves over the next 15 hours whilst we sat on a train to Amsterdam. Our trip wasn’t off to the greatest of starts when Genna, Sarrah and myself boarded the wrong cabin and thought we had struck gold with beds. But no, we were soon informed that we were in the wrong cabin that would later detach and end at another destination in a country we didn’t want to be in! After finding our correct seats our next struggle was how we would exactly fit our luggage in this small, seated cabin that we had to share with other passengers.  We managed to successfully take up the entire cabin with our luggage and left little room for ourselves on the seats. Meanwhile Lindsay and Emily were living large as they had purchased tickets that allowed for them to have beds. I have come to the conclusion that buying a seated ticket on a 15-hour train trip was a big rookie mistake on my behalf.

[train ride to Amsterdam]

After 15 hours we had arrived, tired but extremely excited. Our first mission was to find the post office so we could halve the amount of luggage we would be carrying and then find our hostel. Let me tell you lugging over 30 kilos of luggage over two suitcases around on cobble stone pathways and hundreds of tourists is not fun, I have calluses.

After this we roamed around the city exploring what Amsterdam had to offer. The sun was shining and even had a little warmth to it something all of us were definitely not used to! The rest of the afternoon was rather chilled; we got a bottle of wine and headed for the park. Later that evening we had decided to go on a pub-crawl. For 19 Euro we were spoilt with a t-shirt, unlimited vodka and a free drink of choice on entry to every one of the bars/clubs we entered.

The pub-crawl of course was filled with multiple hilarious moments, some of the highlights involve; our new British friends, our dance moves, doing the worm in the middle of a dance circle (later resulting in the worst bruises on my knees), ordering 2 large quarter pounder meals at McDonalds and 2 Mc Flurries for Emily and myself, only to later want to order another large meal once we had finished.  Plenty more happened but I will not go into it right now.

As for the rest of Amsterdam we mostly spent our time wandering the beautiful streets, exploring the canals and being watched whilst we slept by the creeper in the bunk next to Lindsay.  This creeper did not leave the hostel for the entire 4 days we were there, nor did she change, wash or sleep. Amsterdam has created millions of memories some of which involve Little O learning to swim, Lindsay learning what it feels like to lose a child and then the sweet relief knowing that Little O had survived. We all experienced the famous red light district where Emily stated that she thought she was too much of a prude to be walking through the area.

On our last day in Amsterdam we all went our separate ways. Lindsay and myself went on a little day trip to the Keukenhof Gardens, an area where over 7 million bulbs of tulips were planted. The gardens were beautiful but did result in me suffering allergies for the rest of the afternoon, oops! Anyways our affair with Amsterdam was coming to an end and we were headed for the airport, next stop Prague.

My advice for you, go to Amsterdam, you will fall in love with this beautiful city as I did.

Anyways, once again I bid you farewell.

From Amsterdam with love

Holly xxx

Day 112.

Day 112.

Well as I sit here listening to Kate Nash I thought it was about that time of the week for me to update you all on what has been going on. Since my last post I have started my final placement for my studies abroad, Lindsay has moved into my room, we have celebrated Valborg, I have finalized all of my travel plans and booked my flight home.

Now my final placement in Sweden is one where I get the pleasure of riding my bicycle over 20km’s per day. Yes, I travel via Millicent the 6kms to-and-from and then we ride to all of the patients’ houses.  The shifts are cruisey and I am home by 11:30am every day, which is a bonus! A couple of things I will definitely take away from this placement is that my nurse didn’t expect me to look the way I did rather be ‘dark skinned and have dark hair, like all Tasmanians,’ and that apparently Tasmania is a country in itself- quite the cultural shock/experience!

                       

Anyway, apart from placement Project not Get Fat is still in fighting form and 30km bike rides are becoming a regular thing. Yes, Lindsay and I decided to yet again throw our selves into a massive Sunday bike ride, this time to Klagshamn beach. The view was breath taking, with possibly the best view of the Oresunds Bridge I have seen, and the area super cute (I will however add that the elements were still not in our favour, I’m waiting for the day there will be no wind!)

Sunday night would be our first farewell, saying goodbye to 2 of my floor mates, Teresa, from Prague and Galal, from Egypt. We of course prepared the biggest of feasts and indulged until we all felt super sick! My favorite treats for the night: Bibi’s Dutch Apple pancakes, Rasa’s cold Lithuanian beetroot soup and Julian’s French chocolate and Pear tart.

It was now the start of a new week and I had already gained a new roomie and begun to watch a new television series (90210). Obviously the most important thing to mention is that Lindsay moved in with me, we just couldn’t bare the distance between floors (we really do spend all of our time together now). As well as this we celebrated Valborg in Lund. Valborg is a traditional Swedish day of celebration to welcome in the spring. But my question, what spring, what summer? It is still so god damn cold!

Anyways in Lund Valborg was celebrated throughout the day by thousands of partygoers, live music, picnics and plenty of alcohol. Then later in the evening Valborg is celebrated with the traditional lighting of a massive bonfire and a chance for when you can grab a strangers hand and skip and sing without recoil to traditional Swedish songs. We went along prepared with a picnic and had an amazing afternoon relaxing, people watching, wining, dining and laughing at the drunk around us.

We headed home relatively early, completed an intense fitness blenders workout (mine and Lindsay’s new fave) and then ate a tub of Ben & Jerry’s Half-baked, guilt free, makes perfect sense right? Workout so you can eat the food you love?

Well I guess that is pretty much all for now.

So as per usual,

From Sweden with Love

H xxxxx

PS.

I go to Amsterdam on Friday, yay!

A weekend of FUN!

‘Listen as your day unfolds

Challenge what the future holds

Try and keep your head up to the sky

Lovers, they may cause you tears

Go ahead release your fears

Stand up and be counted.’

-       Des’Ree

Yes friends, I have been once again listening to the classics and have been inspired.

Anyway, I thought I would write a brief post updating you all on this weeks events.

But first and foremost, six things I have learnt since my last post:

1. Swede’s love to wear matching tracksuits

2. Swede’s also love rocking the double denim, even triple!

3. Swede’s love to wear runners, with any outfit! (So inappropriate)

4. I get way too emotionally invested in television programs

5. I never want to work as a registered nurse in Orthopedic Post-Operative

6. Never allow Emily Mackie to do a handstand in your room

So apart from this I guess I better update you on what has happened this past week. Well to begin I finished my placement in Orthopedic Post-Operative, and boy am I glad about that! Although the staff were fantastic and I had the opportunity to watch some gory operations (even assist) it’s not for me. One thing I should definitely mention in relation to this placement was one of my mentors, who is just as crazy as I am! Each shift she would ensure that I called her a different name it went from Celine Dion to Shakira, Jenny from the Block, Dolly Parton and my favorite where we referred to each other as Quasimodo and Esmerelda. 

Anyway with the long week of placement over it was Friday night and Lindsay and I decided to celebrate by treating ourselves to the world’s biggest platter for two and some trashy TV. We decided to complete the new television series we had begun to watch only that Wednesday, The Carrie Diaries. After three episodes, doors were slammed, voices were raised, and we were both on the verge of tears. At this stage we had both realised that we were far too emotionally invested.

Saturday:

Today Project not Get Fat was vamped up. After a lazy morning, breakfast in bed and a well overdue Skype date with mum Lindsay and I were off to explore Bulltoftaparken. Little did we know once we had arrived at the recreational area that there was a tournament of Golf-Frisbee in action. Lindsay and I whilst trekking through the area occasionally stopped to watch/laugh at those participating in this intense sport. With no idea how to play or the aim we were quickly judged when we insisted on cheering after a competitors throw.

 

Saturday night was spent again devouring a delicious platter and watching a trashy rom-com, possibly the worst one I have ever seen (the movie, LOL, starring Miley Cyrus). After this we insisted on dancing in my bedroom and having hand stand competitions. Probably not our smartest of ideas, as one would expect it ended with minor injuries and valuables being knocked over (thanks Em, keep trying).

Sunday:

Today, Lindsay and I decided to yet again set off on an adventure that would not only challenge our mental capability but our physical. With Project not Get Fat in mind we set off on a 30km bike ride. With the elements not being very supportive at all (Windy Malmo), this ride was more difficult than expected. After 14km we arrived at our first destination, Jakriborg. We get our tourist shots a bite to eat and are back on the road for another 6km to our next destination, Lomma. A brief visit to the jetty/beach and again we are back on our way. We were definitely on a mission with our next destination home, only another 10km to go.

We make it home; wind blown and barely able to walk. I’m just excited to see how I feel in the morning! I would definitely consider this ride to be a lifetime achievement!

Anyways, that is all for now, I best go and get ready for my next placement starting in the morning!

As always,

From Sweden with Love,

Holly

xxxxxx

Hungarian Adventures.

Szia, hello in Hungarian.

Ok so I’m setting the picture, you can see Liam Neeson, a foreign country and a taxi. How does this scenario end?

Well let me start by giving you one clue, TAKEN.

Yes, that is correct our first experience in Budapest was one where we all thought we were being taken, apart from Lindsay of course because she is far better than that.

This taxi trip resulted in sensible sally (Lindsay) in the middle busy keeping Emily, the panicked anxious one, at calm whilst I was determined to continue to stir her up.

Ladies and gentlemen you could say that it seemed to be that the panic was contagious. But you may start by asking why on earth would we think we were being taken?

Well you see it all started when we took the first offer of ‘Hello, airport-city transfers, fixed price’. After bartering our price down to 6000 HUF  (equivalent to $25 AUD, which we found out later to be quite the rip-off) we were off to find the cab only to realise that there were none of the generic cab features, e.g. taxi light, writing or just general advertising. With only 10 minutes into the trip we all look at each other, with the same thought in mind, remembering earlier on how we had all laughed at the prospect of being taken by the ‘taxi cowboys’, as clearly advertised throughout the airport.

25 minutes later and having no idea where we are I start to receive multiple seedy looks from the driver in the review mirror. At this point I was certain that we were in the middle of shooting Taken 3, starring Lindsay ‘sensible’ Coward, Genna ‘carefree’ Bradley, Holly ‘shit stirrer/fear mongerer’ Johnstone and Emily ‘panic’ Mackie.

Another 10 minutes had passed and I had noticed that there was absolutely no sign of a fair calculator, this further fuelled my theory that we were being taken.

Emily ‘Panic” Mackie was having heart palpitations whilst anxiously rubbing her chest and getting ready to dial the equivalent of 000 (which we didn’t know), and was frantically searching for the nearest free WIFI or phone reception. Whilst Lindsay ‘sensible’ Coward continued to reassure her, that we weren’t being taken and not to worry about not telling her parents we were going to Budapest for the weekend.

The peanut alarm had well and truly been set off.

False alarm! We arrived safely but very late to Emily ‘Panic’ Mackie’s hair appointment, with tears in her eyes. After an eventful beginning to our trip we leave Em at her hair appointment in search of our hostel, The Groove. Whilst walking through the streets we all took in our first ‘DIRTY’ impression of Budapest. Literally dirty, as rubbish collection day was the following morning and the streets were filled with people’s dirty trash and beggars on the side of the road trying to sell old smelly boots. 

After working up a sweat (15 degrees = no coat = heaven), it was time to go and collect Em from the hairdresser and get the world’s fastest wax, holy mama! We shopped a while, ate food and retired to the coolest hostel for the worst nights sleep. Yes, that is correct my bed of course was above a snoring old man. Little did I know that battle of trying to stay asleep had begun, clearly he won.

The next morning we got up early and were headed for a ‘hop-on-hop-off’ bus tour! This bus tour would drive us past Parliament, Vigado Ter, Pier 8, Market Hall, National Museum, Erzsebet Ter, Castle District, and last but not least the famous Hungarian baths, Gellert. This tour resulted in buying the most baben’ pair of swimwear (as opposed to rentals), being yelled at by the shop assistant for cutting off the stunning diamantes, sweat patches from all of our walking in the 16 degree heat, experiencing my first ever steam room and the worlds weirdest massage at the baths.

We grab a bite to eat on the way home at an Italian restaurant where the waiters thought it was my birthday and brought you whole chickens for dinner. After this we continued on a search for ice cream, but whilst waiting thought that it would be a great idea to go and enquire about the cost for 4 of us on a taxi bike, that was ideally made for 2.

4000 HUF, and he had a deal. Determined as ever, this young man was convinced that he could push all 4 of us the 10kms back to our hostel, and how wrong he was. Whilst peddling over 250kgs, we weaved in and out of traffic, got beeped at several times, clothing was removed, breathing rates increased and not a dry eye in the house.

We finally arrive back at the hostel and are soon out the door again on a Budapest pub-crawl, starting 2 doors down from the hostel where we met the most beautiful pooch!

Four pubs later and we find ourselves to be ordering more drinks: for Lindsay a Mojito, Emily a long island ice tea, Genna, a blue arrow and myself a red-bull Vodka. Now for those of you that have never tried or even heard of a blue arrow before I strongly suggest that you stay well and truly away, this concoction is potent, and will probably be the worst thing to ever hit your taste buds. However, Genna ‘honey-badger’ Bradley was a champion and finished it in fine form.

Continuing on we stop for ice cream and get creative re-inventing our alter egos and their backing stories. We mosey on down the road and come across possibly the coolest pub; it was built into an old warehouse/old apartments and had little nooks all over the place (even a pizza slice canteen inside). We soon become well acquainted with ‘Oshy’ the bartender, and her soon to be husband, ‘Freddy’, this ensured that we were well looked after and shown the true Hungarian party life.

After a crazy night of dancing and making cheer routines for our new favourite bar tender it was time to make the venture home at 6:30am, oops! We stop at the local supermarket to of course purchase a traveller and are well on our way, waking the locals with a cheerful morning song. We arrive back at the hostel and multiples of you back home I’m sure received a phone call and/or Skype request (Nicole).  Time was ticking and our bellies were rumbling, again. So we quickly gather our belongings, dress appropriately (socks and havianas) and make our way to McDonalds only to find that it shut! Yes, that is correct McDonalds in Budapest doesn’t open until 9AM of a Sunday, how rude! So instead we sit outside waiting for our taxi transfer (a less adventurous trip than the initial one and cheaper!) to the airport to get KFC for breakfast, delicious.

We arrived home safe and sound, slept and reminisced about what a hilarious/fantastic trip to Budapest.

Anyways that is yet again all for now,

So once again I bid you farewell,

From Sweden with Love

Holly

xxxxxxx

I’ll leave you on an end-note, which topped off our trip:

‘I may not have much money, but I have a very specific set of skills and a bad arse possie of elbow fighters. Also, never drink a blue arrow, even if you are honey badgers like we are.’