See you in Sweden!

I’m back in my chosen home country. The idea of posting every day from Australia didn’t last very long. Needless to say that I had a fantastic time down under. Now it’s time to get back to business in Lund, working for the municipality, and the Jamboree work. Only 69 days left today until the world is gathering in Rinkaby.So I’m here now, the rest of the world is here soon and as always – see you in Sweden.

Heading West! Canberra to Renmark

Today we started our journey heading west. Final destination: Perth. Estimated time of arrival: in three days. Kilometres? 3742. So nothing really. I mean, the same distance driven from Helsingborg destination south would get you to somewhere in Lybia.. We had a lazy morning start and left Canberra at 10am. Already after an hour Mick thought is what time for me to face my biggest fear with this journey – the steering wheel and driving on the wrong/correct/pick one side of the road, in any case not the right one. I was so nervous and hadn’t been this nervous in god knows how long. But after the first kilometres my legs stopped shaking and my palms were back to normal moist and not as sweaty and after the first two hours I was happy enough to drive straight forward on a highway. Driving in towns with traffic shall be the next lesson. We drove through the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) to New South Wales, back into Victoria where we had to find a few detours due to the recent floodings. We saw a lot of water and continuous changes in scenery which I found really exciting. Towards the end of the day we were close to South Australia and decided that we definitely wanted to get there for the night, at least just across the border. Because that meant we had driven through one territory and three states in a day. We made it to Renmark and across where we now shall fall asleep, tired as few in a lovely motel, that I booked muahaha. Very happy with the accomplishments of the day and the journey so far. This is gonna be awesome! Tomorrow we’ll head towards the desert. Good night /H

(December 21, 2010)

A day of rest and reunion in the Australian Capital

Good morning Canberra! What a busy day we had! Meeting up with all the people from Kenya, which was just amazing, and simply showing me around the city. We also took a detour to Tidbinbilla to finally have a look at some kangaroos (they had been successfully hiding until today, or lying around dead on the streets..) and a koala!!!! Jess warned me that they’d be scary and all that but looking at it it was just sooo cute. Will continue to refuse to believe that they are scary. However, the long claws make me a bit weary. If I ever should get the chance to cuddle one of them I truly hope that they know that I am not a tree. Got introduced to Milo. It’s apparently very Australian and tastes kind of like Nesquik or O’Boy, but less sweet. Tasty! And yeah, other than that it’s been just a very lovely day getting ready for the big day tomorrow -starting the journey over to Perth! Puss /H (Canberra, December 20th, 2010)

From Lakes Entrance to Merimbula and beyond

After a relaxed evening in Lakes Entrance we woke the next morning and were hoping for some sunshine. It looked quite good whilst we were having breakfast but as soon as we left the hotel we were surrounded by big grey clouds – another rainy day. We still went to the beach to check it out and crazy Em and Bengt even went for a quick dip in the water, just because. Marie and I gladly refused. We all decided to drive on though as the weather did not seem to get any better. Another day in the road through Australian eucalyp forest began. And it rained and rained.. We decided to have lunch in Mallacoota and were lucky – the weather had at last decided to stop punishing us with raindrops. Em and I made friends with the local pelicans and in true Finding Nemo manner we called them all Nigel. After lunch we headed on, hoping to escape the rain clouds once we would reach Merimbula. On our way there my phone decided to connect with the outside world again as well and a text message was waiting for me… Mick got a bit restless and didn’t want to wait until the day after to get me (original plan was to meet up and hand me over in Bega) so he set off during the afternoon to see us already in Merimbula! We went out for dinner that night, lovely little town that was Merimbula, but I could hardly eat, I was so excited. After 4,5 months.. He joined us just in time for dinner and we had a lovely evening. After dinner we went to get my bags – the family would continue towards Sydney and we would head off with final destination Perth.. Time to say goodbye! It was a bit weird to not know when we’d see each other again (at least Marie and Bengt, Em and I would see each other in Melbourne again in a couple of weeks time) but a short while later Mick and I were on our way to Canberra where we arrived late that night between the 19th and the 20th of December.

(Somewhere between Merimbula and Canberra, 19th December 2010, late at night)

Get that roadtrip started – Melbourne to Lakes Entrance

On the road! Early in the morning, in the drizzling rain of Melbourne, the Eklund family and their hustysk left the city for Australian adventures. First stop – Wilsons Promontory. This national park was badly struck be the fires in 2009 but it was amazing to see how nature is recovering. We went for a 5 kilometer hike – constantly hoping there would be a koala to spot – but no luck. We saw some emus but that was about it. Oh and some roadkill kangaroos. The first kangaroo – a dead one – was quite surreal somehow but it made me realise that I actually landed down under. Melbourne is amazing but it is a big city like most big cities. Heading out in the coutryside made me realise that I finally ahd arrived down under. The weather was ok, a bit of rain in the morning but the sun came out whilst we were hiking and we got some amazing views over the ocean. Our next stop was in Sale to get some food for dinner and later on we arrived in Lakes Entrance. The apartment we’ll be staying in for the night has two bedrooms and there is a pool inhouse as well! Em and I will probably head there straight away before it’s dinnertime. Promised the parents to play some cards as well, guess who is so going to loose . Summary of the first day: weather mixed, only dead animals to talk of, no beach. But still a lovely day with lovely company. Tomorrow we’ll head for the beach and then on to Merimbula. Puss och kram /H

(Lakes Entrance, 18 December 2010)

Melbourne Day 4 – Balaclava and Botanic Gardens

Good evening everyobody, or well, good morning Europe .

Its the big night befire the big roadtrip. So excited. Dropped off some of my stuff at Emma’s just before. We had dinner there with a friend of hers and the parents and it was a really lovely night. We spent the morning in Balaclava with a bit of shopping, just Marie, Em, and me. Met up with Bengt in the Botanic Gardens which was great. We just had a glimpse the other day but it was truly lovely! I liked the Eucalypt walk with all different sorts of Eucalypt tree. I had no clue that there were so many different ones. And the scent is just fantastic. We got on the tram just before it started raining. I really hope it isn’t going to rain so much, that would be such a shame. But roadtrip it is tomorrow. We’ll start off in melbourne around 8 and head towards Lakes Entrance via the Wilsons Promontory, which is a National Park southeast of Melbourne. Hope all is well back home and christmas preparations are going well, too? Can’t believe it will be Christmas Eve in a week..

Lots of Love! /H (17^th December 2010)

City of beaches

 Beach beach beach. You simply have to live on the coast. We can argue which coast but a city needs a beach. And to make sure that Melbourne’s beaches are worthwhile and to have a look at those Australian waves that I had heard so much about, we chose to spend the morning in South Melbourne. That was a good choice actually, though the waves weren’t much different to the ones we get in Mossby to be honest. There got to be better ones out there. But the Southern part of Melbourne is just lovely, not just the sand but the houses! All Victorian and pretty and absolutely adorable. We had a good walk around and a lunch in the sun before making our way back into the city center and the Victorian National Gallery with a lovely exhibition both in modern and Chinese art. Had ice cream at Trampoline (thanks Nico!!) and met up with Em to have dinner at her old workplace. That was so nice! We had an amazing family dinner with lots of laughter and good times and it was just great. Now I’m feeling slightly tipsy but very happy to be here. So far this trip is better than I ever could have imagined. I’m by the way still staying with Marie and Bengt in their holiday apartment. Tomorrow we’ll spend in Melbourne again and than it’s roadtrip time! Keep smiling back home and check out the pictures I uploaded on facebook Lots of Love from down under /H

 (Melbourne, 16^th December 2010)

Melbourne – first day and graduation

My poor feet! Have been doing a lot of walking yesterday. Melbourne is really a lovely city. And you sure need to live in a city with a skyline. Very important. And if that skyline includes beaches I will be perfectly happy and satisfied. Got in touch with that Australian sun as well. Burned my shoulders and nose just by spending like an hour in the sun in the park. Sun block really is a must. As well as sunglasses (or sunnies as the Aussies say). Cant see a thing without them in the bright sunlight. Had lovely Thai dinner with Em, reunion was perfect. Had missed her sooo much. And for Heli and Emelie – the best Pad Thai is to be eaten here!!! Couldn’t believe it so good was it. Yum yum yum. So girls, come down here asap! Today we spent the day with Em as it is her graduation. The ceremony itself was in a huuuge stadium and they all wore their Harry Potter capes and the hats. Very cute. Weather wasn’t too nice though, a bit cold and drizzly. That wasn’t what we had signed up for when we booked our tickets for the Australian summer really. But hey – not much to do about it, is there. The drought was on in Melbourne for over 10 years so they are quite happy about the rain. Tomorrow we’ll be spending more time in the city whilst Emma is at work. And then its one more day before the roadtrip starts. So excited! That’s for now, more tomorrow. Lots of love from Melbourne! /H

Australia and how to get there

The journey started in a snowy Scanian landscape (felt like -10) with the ICE to Hamburg and an amazing concert in the O2 Arena with my sis. Fettes Brot just rocked the house, it was great!

Paid a visit to Cologne and the family and on the Sunday off to Frankfurt (+3 degrees) and the first leg of the journey to Dubai. Dubai was busy as ever, and the cheesy christmas music really got me taken aback. Had to recover with aweome juice (watermelon, pineapple, mint, lemon) before boarding the flight to Melbourne via Singapore. Couldnt really sleep on that flight and watched what felt like 500 episodes of Friends and Big Bang Theory. Singapore was humid and booooring. Sitting around for 45 minutes just to reboard the plane. But it made me tired enough to wake up just about when we had an hour to go before landing in Melbourne! Beautiful sunny morning in Australia! Adrenalin, endorphines and wat not pumping – I was so happy to finally arrive here! Customs no problem, though they were filmig for Boarder Control and I kind of regretted not to have taken anythin funny with me to become a famous tv person or something Now I’m back at the hostel where Marie and Bengt are staying, getting changed and having a shower before we’re ready to explore the city. Get the adventure started, I’m so excited!!!

(Hannah in Melbourne, Dec 14, 2010)

Step 4 – Oz Adventures

OK. I am perfectly aware that this blog entry has been taking me far too long to write, It’s been ages since you’ve heard from me and I’m really really sorry. I’ll blame it on the lack of internet access and the amazing times that I’ve had so far. My plan is now to give you a quick idea of what life is like at the moment and then post a blog entry for each day of the roadtrip. That way you can follow all the adventures sort of live and on the go. Sound good? It’s a sort of “how did I end up here” kind of story.

So, right now: I’m back in Melbourne, staying at Ems house still but looking for a room in the city. I got a job in a travel agency and it’s an awful lot of fun! Im responsible for the marketing and the sales as well so I’m making people happy by selling them trips and journeys all across this beautiful country. Melbourne is a place you simply must love, there’s now way around it. I dare say that in a couple of weeks I might love it more than NYC but I’m not quite there yet

 Em and I are having a great time anyway and yes, me and the man are still having a great time, too So, that’s for now and tomorrow I’ll start telling you how I made it here! In any case, lots of love from Oz to all you fantastic people back home. Be assured I miss you lots and will see you soon!!!

Rhetorics? And some reflections.

There are a few thoughts that I took home with me from this class. Coming to class I more or less expected the almost obligatory round of introduction, where are you from, what are you doing here and why etc. But there was no such thing. And I came to think that this must have been on purpose. Because that little introduction would have triggered our assumptions. By just having name tags we were able to start interacting with lesser assumptions but the one of the outer person. Also to highlight the fact that we in this classroom culturewise most probably have more in common with each other than with our fellow countrymen created a sense of community beyond the assumptions. It created a sense of trust, of openness and the idea of sharing. Whilst I was sitting on the train, back to Helsingborg where I live, I looked at the people around me and came to think once more about the perception of these people and my assumptions regarding their inner person based on their outer person. All these references that are hiding behind  someone’s outer looks. All the assumptions I make because someone wears certain clothes or talks in a certain way. I make up my own story about the person based on that perception not really thinking how much truth there is behind it. The class today did not really teach me anything new about it, I know that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it made me see the whole process from a holistic and somewhat outside perspective. It made me realise how important the outer person is in certain aspects. The context around us, the arena so to say, defines how we should act, what we should wear and I realised once more how important it is to play the game according to those rules in order to communicate successfully and also to be taken seriously. At the same time we need to learn how to break those rules and go beyond the outer person and closer to the inner person already from the start. To learn about the persons references and background, maybe even their perception of myself and thereby co-create meaning together. However it is the ability to choose how I want to be perceived that is interesting in rhetoric and more importantly my ability to play the part. Here the aspect of passion comes in. Am I not passionate about my part and the way I want to play it I will not be able to do so. Publics aren’t deceived that easily. Passion and person need to go hand in hand. Also knowledge is important, you obviously need to know what you are talking about – the facts and faculties but what I was wondering about, is regarding the understanding of the people that you are talking to. How am I to convey a message in a certain context, with passion and also with the necessary trust from the audience but with general understanding of the audience’s references. I need to know how they most likely will perceive me and in that way how to put forward the important part of my person as well as the right amount of passion, not to forget the timing. That knowledge must be essential but how to get it? How to react if I step on someone’s toes by saying something inappropriate or saying something without knowing that this particular person has bad experiences from the past or whatever the reference might be?

So having looked at the person, the passion, the arena and the timing I was left with the question on what to do with this awareness and how to adapt it to the different cultures and personal references of the audience.

The traveller’s home is where the heart is

After years on the run, between home and heart, myself and my family..countries, and continents even, I have left bits and pieces of my heart all over the place. My friends are literally scattered around the world. I always gave up the comfortable and secure environment for new adventures. But now again it has reached a stage to reconsider whether the moving around is a benefit or a curse. I like to believe that many of these friendships are still as deep and true as those with friends that see each other on a daily basis. Still with everyone starting to settle down around me now, I wonder whether my choice to keep on travelling is the right one? I know that I am not made for the settled and comfortable life just yet, there is too much out there that needs to be discovered, yet I am afraid of missing out on important things in my friends lifes as well. Assuming that this once again a “you cannot have it all” kind of situation, I’ll just have to keep going. One important thing for the coming journey is that it is, for a change, not the running away from something journey, knowing that my home back here is waiting for me to come back if I wish to do so. It is a choice of heart and maybe even a coming home journey. Who knows? The important aspect about sharing your heart with important people that cross your path is that the traveller always has a home to come to. The traveller’s home is where the heart is.

And I’m looking forward to come home.

Hot-chocolate-stay-in-bed-with-muffin(s)-day

Hejhopp as the Swedes would say..

have to start with apologizing for the terrible weather in Helsingborg today. After having been blessed with sunshine for weeks I had to jinx it by telling the girls how long it had been since it last rained and voilà – this morning the weathergods once more showed us what we didn’t miss. I am very,very sorry. So waking up this morning was hard and not easy at all. Sitting at uni now isn’t really helping because a big cup of hot chocolate, a muffin (or any other cake lookalike for that matter), my Lonelyplanet and me in my bed or on the couch are far more tempting than thesiswriting. But, we’ll keep the good hopes up, explore what the cafeteria has to offer and continue writing (and secretly look forward to hot-chocolate-stay-in-bed-with-muffin(s)-days in november).

Reliving African adventures

Just finished an article about my African adventures and felt like I had to write a blogpost whilst I’m at it. Simply to say that I am most grateful for the experience. Not only have I met people that have changed my life and my perspective on it but as it made me grow a little, too. Made me discover new sides of me that I enjoy very much.  It made a few things pretty damn clear. Writing the article today, I had trouble even remembering what I was thinking pre-Kenya. And thats just 5 weeks ago. That’s what happens when you let life happen. Enjoy!

Morning prayer

Ok, has been a while since I was deeply religious and went to church every sunday but today I considered a morning prayer on one condition: that god please helps to make the trains in Southern Sweden, preferrably Scania, run smoothly and on time for the rest of the winter and the coming year and in general? Getting up at 5.45 every morning to find the train 40 minutes  late is our kind of torture. I am perfectly aware that this a “i-lands problem” (we really need an English word for that, it’s a sarcastic way of describing developed countries problems) but today I am feeling selfish and aware of the need of my beauty sleep.

Having said that I wish you all a lovely day

Soundtrack of my life

I cannot remember a single day from when I grew up without music around. Any kind of music. Daddies old rock songs, guitar heros and the “real music”, as he called it. I knew how to sing The Kinks’ songs to my sister before they tought me any nursery rhimes as it seemed. Along came West Side Story and classical music – convincing me at an early stage to lear how to play the violin. Took a while to convince my parents too, but a paper-cut violin and a Vivaldi tape did the job in the end.

So yes, music has always been there. Dad made me go to a Jethro Tull concert before I was allowed to go to any other concerts whatsoever. My teenage revolution couldnt change that and I am pretty sure he ensured that way the survival of the family soft spot for rock music. The first real concert turned out to be Lenny Kravitz and none of the girly music daddy was so afraid of (my darling sister stuck to that). But it wasnt just the music – it was mostly the words. The context and the feeling they created. Where did I hear the song for the first time? What did it mean to me? What did it make me feel? That feeling could be recreated any time one listened to the song.. Songs like that were Lenny Kravitz’ Fly away, Håkan Hellström’s Kom igen Lena, and Kings of Leon Sex on Fire and countless more through the years. Walking the streets of Manhattan listening to Swedish Schlager certainly put a huge smile on my face on the way to work. Sitting at Heathrow airport listening to R.E.M and “Leaving New York” didnt really help the tears. A way to express how I feel as always been through songtexts or specific songs. The CDs Em prepared for me show just that.

Everyday there is a new sountrack to pick from that fits the mood I’m. And it can be anything really. But there is one song right now that is on repeat. It reminds me of Kenyan good times but it also has a line that just suits me so very well..

“..the pressure’s on, you feel it, you got it all, believe it! Cause if you’re down get up, when you’re down get up – tsamina mina zangalewa”

The song follows me on my precious ipod, is played on the radio that I wake up to every morning and is more or less the “real” Moot song. This way it creates a background music to live with and to gather strength from. But music is not just in the background, the soundtrack hits the cords inside you. It is also  a good reminder of whats important and what one’s capable of doing. Because in the end the sountrack of our lives is nothing that just si there in the background, a tune that we can just waltz to, but something that can only be composed by oneself.

When reality comes knocking..

Sometimes I wonder when I’ll suddenly wake up to discover that it all was just a dream? Well, at least I can say that it was a very, very, very good dream!

Is this it? Or is it just about to start..

Today might be the beginning of the end of an era. I’ve handed in my master thesis. Another week and my time at university might officially be over, that is if the thesis passes the examination seminar next Friday (all fingers crossed are most very welcome..). So yeah, 5 years within the safe environment of uni. I loved uni. Maybe not the first semester and certainly not the fourth but it made me meet all these fantastic people that kept and keep on enriching my life. It made me move to France which in return gave me the strength to put up with some difficult times at home.

Girls, remember the Wednesday afternoons at Spielplatz before English? Leuschi, Offi and the rest of the crowd? What would life be without twinings tea conversations and durable clipfolders? What happened to Mr. Hancock? The World Cup? The champagne during English after the BA was handed in? Us all scattered around the globe yet close in mind? How many Fridays did we actually see Kässy for English (sorry sweets, I had to :-*)

And then Sweden.. truly a journey with overcoming new obstacles in every way yet growing with the tasks put upon me. Developing potential. Communication across borders. Two amazing internships. And most important of all: the best friends one could imagine. A home to come back to. My own little castle. The best roommate. And new chances.

After graduation in Cologne it all felt scary. This time, its not scary. It was a good era but as I wrote in the last post: I am so looking forward to what life has to offer now. Let’s go and create some future, will we!

In preparation of Step 4

Hi everybody.

The whole idea of blogging from Kenya obviously didn’t really work out. I blame my own unwillingness to blog in general plus the bad internet connection or lack of access to the internet on a normal computer. Having only my ipod made me update my facebook and download emails and that was pretty much it. A status update was work enough and all the time I had to spent on such a thing as informing you guys as I was literally too busy having a great time in Kenya.

I had the time of my life. Those of you who have met me since will have noticed. After the last couple of months with work and thesis and more work and more thesis, the random anxiety of what shall happen after graduation and me sort of settling in Helsingborg really needed a break. Already when I arrived in Cologne I could sense the freedom that lay ahead of me. From Dubai onwards I knew that what I needed the most was not a proper job by the end of the year, but actually to reestablish contact with my proper self. I had almost forgotten what it was like to simply be me. To get the chance to just be the silly, clumsy, funny, relaxed version of myself.

I spent the past few years working very hard on my studies, on making the right choices, on taking care of my family and friends. I am not complaining if it seems like that. These years have taught me what I am capable of doing, they have given me amazing chances and opportunities, they made me grow. I wouldnt want to miss any of it. But I have missed the freedom. Coming to Kenya, meeting all these amazing people, getting a new perspective on pretty much anything has taught me one thing: the past 5 years of hard work were the path towards a freedom of choice, a freedom of possibilities. It’s time to take these possibilities and enjoy it. It’s time to be 23 and not a year older. It’s time to do everything I’ve always dreamt of. To take the certificates, the awards, the experiences and put them into the backpack and reach out towards new adventures. It’s even time to go a lil crazy.

In Kenya, I got the chance to just be myself. To be in discussions and just be me, to speak my mind, but also to spend time with people who share the same values, ideas, and curiousity in life as I do. I was able to do all the things that I am good at and that I almost had forgotten that I was able to. During camp I made amazing new friends which gave me a lot of the strength back that I thought I had lost. It is amazing what only two weeks can change.

So I came home with a new perspective. To hell with the career for the time being. What is really important are the people behind and around you and actually yourself. After taking care of everybody else it is now time to take care of myself for a while. And there is one thing I have dreamt of doing for as long as I can remember – travel to Australia. Also since Em moved there one of the most important people in my life is down under. The past three years without her around have been strange enough, and I learned to live with the jealousy of her being in Melbourne.. I have talked about going to visit her… if I have a decent job, if I have the time off, if this.. if that… On the plane home I knew: there is no “ifs” any longer. There is just a “do it”! Why not? What was holding me all these years anyway? And especially what is holding me now? The masters just about finished, I’ve done what was expected – now I’ll do what I want to do

So yes, within the first week back home I’ve booked the ticket. When? Leaving in december. Return? Indefinite.. Scary? No! This is probably the most selfish and best decision I have made in years and I love it. Every single bit of it. Needless to say that Em was going mad on the phone when I told her the good news. Obviously I will also meet my Australian friends from the Moot again, as well as Shell and Chels from my exchange year.

This distinct feeling of freedom ahead of me is like a drug. I got a taste of it in Kenya and now I can’t wait for more. It’s a new driving force. It is within reach and it is for me just to step outside the box, outside the comfort zone and take it. Can’t wait to drag you along with it

Until then I send you guys all my love and happiness, my enthusiasm and excitement, cause right now I got even more to share then usual. Love y’all!

At Dubai

Dear friends, I made it safely to Dubai. It’s by far the busiest airport I’ve been at. Now killing time until connecting flight to Nairobi! No fellow scouts in sight yet tho

bye bye banana

Sent from my iPod

Preparations for Kenya

Almost everything is packed now – the only thing we gotta tonight is trying to put up the new tent. So today I am carrying around the roof over my head in my bag for work. Businesslike as ever. Will send you some pictures later tonight – especially for all those of you who wouldnt want to believe that I am actually going to camp in Kenya. 

Emailblogging – Hannah goes 2.0

..and now I can even email updates to the blog. Here we go!

Step 3 – Nairobi, Kenya

Dear friends,

it is now only a few days until I will pack my bags again. This time a new city starting with “N” that is not New York. I’ll be off to Nairobi! Always wanting to go to Africa this is now the big opportunity and I am longing like crazy. I have absolutely no clue what to expect, what is going to happen and I am fairly unprepared, but hey – I have a backpack, a tent and an idea of where I am sort of going. Oh, and strict orders of a dear friend of mine to leave the lions where there are and not to bring home any. Hm.

Basic facts: 23rd July CPH – CGN and a night at home in Cologne, 24th July FRA – NBO via Dubai.

Purpose: World Scout Moot in preparation for the World Scout Jamboree.

I am not sure how frequently I will be able to update the blog or even access the internet, but I will do my very best to keep you updated, which for some reason always works a lot better whilst I am away compared to being at home in Sweden.

Hakuna Matata!

Hannah

Shapin it up – again! (the blog anyway)

After a couple of months of abstinence from blogging I thought it was time to give you guys a heads up concerning the different things going on around here. Being back in Sweden for more than 3 months now (how the hell did that happen?) I easily got thrown back into work and volunteering, which I both enjoy very, very much! It has been an interesting journey with new working environment in Malmö and the decision to postpone my thesis writing for the summer! A bit against my nature but I think a valuable decision. I learn a lot at work and I needed some more time off uni to actually see the fun in writing a thesis again. Which I do now and I am pretty sure it will turn out to be a kick ass document in the end

Other than that I am glad to be back with my friends. New York being great and all it was just not the same without the crazy lot from last summer. If all goes as we want to, I’ll be with Hel and Em for Midsummers!!!!

But being back here I feel once more that I have come home to friends for life which is an intense and great feeling! However, I wouldn’t be me if hadn’t have to travel a little during the summer – so you guys better expect a postcard from Kenya! I will going to Nairobi for a scout camp together with two other from the Planning Team of the World Scout Jamboree 2011 in Sweden. Being new to scouting this is going to be an amazing experience and I truly cannot wait! So you can look forward to Step 3 outside the box.

So yeah that’s in short what’s up. I also took up running, trying to sort myself out for the Marathon in Cologne in 2012. So maybe I get better in blogging if I start bothering you about my marathon training? Will see about that! Big hug from Helsingborg!

Hannah

My Alibi Country

This is probably going to be a more serious post. Today I went to buy myself a voice recorder. I will need it for the thesis research and the tons of interviews that I will conduct during the next weeks. I went to get it in the Electronic Device Store close by. It is huge and has a great sortiment and I immediately found what I was looking for, had a stroll around the store and loved it. The really cool thing is that the store is entirely Jewish. Not that this would be weird at all, especially not in New York, but for us and with my cultural heritage that too is part of the New York experience. We are not so used to seeing men wearing their kippot any longer, which I find sad really. Here in New York it is one of the most normal things in the street. Anyway, once I got to the check out I was talking to the shop assistent about my voice recorder (I decided not to have it in pink, though that was a VERY difficult decision) and he made fun of my accent (“Are you from South Africa?”) and I wondered where that came from?? Never been, I said and he asked where I was from and my first spontaneous answer was.. Sweden. Now, that is partly true, because this is where I live and where most of my friends are and where I consider to be my home. However, I am born and raised in Germany, my family lives there and a lot of my schooling has taken place in that culture. But why did I say that? Was I too afraid of his reaction if I had said Germany? Is that part of the in-build German guilt? Probably there hadn’t been any reaction to it at all.. Still he made a remark on my obviously Jewish name.. What is there to be scared of or to feel guilty about? The past is still haunting us and I don’t want, by any means, deny the fact that there is still a lot that remains to be done and the fight against the forgetting is very important! The horrible past has to be remembered and has to be taught. Though I wonder whether I have to feel guilty for actions 65 years ago? I do not have the answer, I know both arguments and both sides very well and I understand it, but it keeps troubling my mind.

We were at a synagogue the other Day and the pain is tremendous, I can feel it so well and understand just as much.. I have hidden behind the “Oh I’m from Sweden” a couple of times. It is very useful and saves you from discussions and most people are more friendly than if I had said I was from Germany.. Then again I feel that I cannot hide behind my alibi country for too long either. A lot of things have changed in Germany, the country has been rebuild and we have dealt a lot with the past and Germany has become a tolerant and open country (just consider the fact that our foreign minister is gay and our chancellor a woman – still unbevlievable if not illegal in certain countries). This is not meant as an excuse for the cruelties of the Holocaust or the Shoah but it is a call for a open minded yet responsible generation to create something new together through learning from the past and not judging form the past..

My Greenwich Dream

My Greenwich Dream Last Saturday, 13th February, my dear friend Swantje and I got the oppurtunity to live the more exquisite New York Life. Not really Upper East and Doorman etc but more the life that I would like to lead once that I am rich and famous.. The Greenwich Village Townhouse! I always lovedd this particular part of New York. Her is my favourite bookshop, the inevitable favourite Muffin place, some really nice bars and restaurants and the sort of bohemian lifestyle that would suit me just fine. My immediate boss went off to the Berlinale Film Festival and as her husband inlcuding kids was off as well, they needed someone to watch house and dog. Well she never had to ask us a second time.

On Saturday we moved in, each in our own bedroom, a house with garden, the cute dog and the New York Sunshine it was amazing! New Yorkers, that needs to be said, habe three obsessions: one is calories, the second one finger nails and the third one dogs. Ther are dogs everywhere of all sorts and kinds and the New Yorkers love to go shopping for them and treat them like the kids that they usually don’t have. So living the New York Sytle life inquired the dog, which we now had, and the fancy house, which we now occupied. Once you live in the little Webster Rooms you learn to appreciate the space of a house and your very own kitchen! We got to do grocery shopping and cook! Heaven on earth! We aslo got to watch a classic Tatort – THE German thing to do on a Sunday night (for all you non-German people: it’s a tv series a la Wallander, or any other crime story, and set in different German towns). We went for long walks with the dog, also to the famous dog runs, and enjoyed the beautiful weather and the beatiful architecture in this part of New York. The Old Brickstone Houses probably now cost a fortune but they give you the chance to timetravel a little. There was still snow on the ground, all very picturesque (though neither of us took any pictures..).

I cannot really describe the feeling or the atmosphere, for me there is no words for the reaction to this place and the neighborhood more than that I love being there, that it feels strnagely like home and the place where I belong, or something. Must be the old hippie vibes that I always knew were in me and that still linger in Greenwich Village. By Monday we were ready to change the locks and just ocupy the house for as long as possible, going back to Webster felt like torture.. By the way, it was the same house as the one Miriam and Simone lived in during the summer and where we spent a few of our summernights in 2009. It is the House that Em, Heli, David and I were going to rent when we all come to New York to live and work, the Townhouse Dream.. ..hopefully a dream come true!

Fly away with me..

Oh wow now it is ages ago since I last wrote a blog post. I am getting back into old patterns, not good. I promise improval, as always.. anyway.

There has not been going on much to tell you about recently I have to say. The days are flying past as if there was no tomorrow in fact, tomorrow is there quicker than anything else. Hm.. well, and work is keeping me more or less busy. The thesis is not suffering yet as much as I was afraid it would do, even though I find myself in a “waiting for something to happen spot” now. You guys know I do not like that at all, but sometimes one has to improve one’s patience.

All in all, I am slightly counting the days of getting back home and getting a few things done. Though I know I am going to miss this xity like crazy.. The oppurtunities that never ceize and the galleries, museums, streets and Thai restaurants that I have made my home.. Ah well. 16 more days. And I will make the most of it. In any aspect. Of course!

NY Girl becomes NJ Girl

Okey just a short one on the probably coolest thing that has happened in a while! During the week after hours and hours of speaking to secretaries’ secreraties I got us in touch with the NHL top hockeyteam this season. We will do some sort of promotion for the World Hockey Championship this year in Germany but more on that one later. The important thing is that we went in backstage and with excellent seats to one of the coolest sports I’ve seen live EVER. I mean I have always been into sports, both praciticing myself but also watching (tho lately more watching than practiciing I have to admit), but icehockey never really interested me. Well no folks this has changed! I am still thrilled by the atmosphere, the speed of the game and the excitement! So much fun. So if you ever miss me in the future, you might wanne have a look around the icehockeyrink

And yes I am the most stupid person in the world and didnt take any pictures because the camera was at home and I am not fashionable enough to have a phone that takes pictures…

Birthday Girl

My dear friends.

I am still stunned and speechless! You know or might not know what a big deal the occasion “birthday” is for me and this year, for the first time not being either in Cologne or at home in Sweden, with people I recently met was actually a bit weird. But it turned out to be the best birthday it could possibly have been! It started at midnight with champagne and muffins, lovely presents and just a good laugh! It continued with letters in my inbox at The Webster from all across Europe. An email from a good friend that send me to a bakery where there was the biggest cake waiting that I had ever seen, my colleague Thomas who baked the first cake in his life and so on and so on. Not to mention all the emails and facebook messages and everything – I MISS YOU PEOPLE! One of my favourite proverbs “Friends are like stars – you can’t always see them but they are always there for you” is definitely true! When I get back to Sweden we must have a massive party, I promise!

So with this short note I just would like to say thank you to all of you for making the day to the best possible day ever!

Representative of the State

Swantje and I had the pleasure of representing the country today. No kidding. The two of us were sent to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in behalf of the Consul General himself and were so-called “VIP’s” who carefully hid in the back rows but still were discovered by Russian television. No joke. It was a ver interesting event though and the museum is recommendable, too. Nonetheless because it is at the Battery Park Place, formerly known as the place where we celebrated Midsummer in 2009, but that is a different story… The weather was fantastic and the sunshine just makes me so happy and jumpy and longing for the spring. Another exciting thing that happened was Kritika’s visit, my old co-intern and co-focal point for the UN intern newsletter. She was in town for a wedding and we spent all of the afternoon together talking, walking, shopping etc. You know, girls gotta do what girls gotta do. I tried to buy myself a birthday present, gift wrapped and all, but it was out of stock. Just my luck. Ah well, two bottles of champagne are cold and ready to be drunk meeting the girls in the lobby to start the birtthday festivities “German style” with a glass of champagne at midnight! Lots of Love!

The Weekend – again

Friday afternoon, New York City, Midtown East  FREEZING! Ice cold winds blowing but there was one, maybe a few more, but definitely one grinning as if there was no tomorrow! Well, that was me. I had the afternoon of my life, the warmest welcome I could possibly have imagined and a huge portion of luck, too. Warming up in the UNICEF lobby, I enjoyed the exhibtion “Children of the World” with incredibly beautiful pictures, essays and poems of the world’s brightest people befire heading to DC2 and my old cubicle. It was amazing and soooo good to see everyone. We made plans for the weekend and my birthday and simply had a great laugh just hanging out. But there was not only fun and laughter, there was also serious business as I got the final O.K. for my thesis topic and the necessary contacts to get the process started. The adrenaline kick was great I literally jumped home (which was good against the cold, too ). We spent the evening in the residence drinking wine and chatting as it was Evelyn’s last night. I am very sad she left actually, she was a real star! We went for a walk in the frozen Central Park on Saturday morning before she would have to sit for hours on her plane to Frankfurt. It was a pretty yet spooky atmorsphere as everything was grey and icy. Crazy New Yorkers could enjoy the snow machine for some event coming up in the middle of the Park. Then it was time to say goodbye and as far as I know, Evelyn had a good flight and is now back in snowy Germany!
Those of us left in the City enjoyed Thai cocktails after dinner but unfortunately we never made it to the promised Salsa club which now is definitely on for next weekend! No way I am going to miss this again. Dancing is badly needed!!! Good ending for today’s post I think 

Status of Art.. – Tino Seghal at Guggenheim

Today I got the chance to experience the new exhibition at the Guggenheim. It was the preview, the real thing opens tomorrow. I had not heard much about Tino Seghal before but the experience of his piece was magnificent. According to his gallerist you have to “do the piece”. It is very hard to explain, it is very modern, it is active and involving  simply an experience. There is no catalogue, no photos, no copies. His art is completely sustainable and no waste whatsoever produced. The marketing is amazing and apart from the critics and other invited guests who were present today nobody knows what all of this is about  until public opening tomorrow.

I enjoy modern art very much and I like letting go of the bounderies a little bit as well, open-minded for new creative ideas. But similar to my colleagues I wondered, what the public tomorrow is going to say and how they will react. That concerns mostly the tourists of course who have to stand in line outside for hours, the entrance fee is pretty high and then… Keep your eyes and ears open for revolts outside the Guggenheim tomorrow and the coming days. If you don’t here about anything like that, people will have enjoyed it as much as I did!

Note to self…

…Very good: won the bloody and torturous battle with Mr. Jetlag.

….Not so good: the downside of it; I now had to line up for the showers…

And talking of which, here is November’s New York Times Article on the Webster:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/fashion/05webster.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Living in the 50′s

I promised you a while ago to write about my first impressions of the Webster, the girls residence that I am staying at here in New York City. The place was opened in 1910 in order to give women working or interning in New York a safe, nice, warm and pleasant place to stay. And pretty much nothing has changed since then. It is an old brickstone building with 14 floors in Midtown Manhattan, a few avenues away from the Empire State Building, which welcomes me every morning as soon as I leave the house. The stairs that I preferrably walk down lead into the Lobby, a nice place with the reception and the doorman. It is furnished in beige, light yellow and rose tones, a little lounge where visitors can wait for their friends. Here you can also find an old style library, a big and comfortable living room with a piano (no food and drink allowed in order to preserve the old furniture – I guess) and smaller rooms with no doors to hang out. A TV room is there as well.

Everything looks very noble though not modern and very old-fashioned. In this area and the Dining Room a level below male visitors are allowed. They have to register and are not allowed to stay longer than midnight. Male visitors are not entitled to use the elevators or come to your room if not accompanied by a staff member. So the kiss-goodbye is takingplace outside the residence, and if there were a fence, outside the garden door. Amusing! Two elevators take you to the dorms, small cute little rooms with a single bed, a small washing place, a huge wardrobe, a little desk with make-up mirror, a cupboard and a sort-of-armchair. There’s an in-house phone as well. Showers and restrooms are outside on each floor.

Everything is old-fashioned, in beige and white colours, some rose and pink as well, sometimes green. It really is charming if you think about it. But I truly feel that I am back in the days of the 50’s as in the films of girl’s schools and societal restrictions. As these are all working women, everyone is dressed very neatly and nicely during the week at breakfast time, well polished nails and blow-dried hair and a scent of hairspray and perfume everywhere. And on Friday’s the men of this town, or well, colleagues and friends more or less, are lining up outside in hope to find their beloved one and convince her to run away with him. Okey, totally exaggerating here but I think you get the picture! Talking of pictures, I have the high ambition to upload some tonight!

FYI there was also an article in the New York Times about this beautiful tenement:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/fashion/05webster.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Monday mornin’

Good evening everyone, well at least I assume that it is evenig for most of you reading this blog.

I just finished mf first week at work and will be of to my supervisor’s birthday celebrations in a few minutes. The alst few days of last week and the weekend have been very nice indeed. I managed to finally win over Mr. Jetlag and slept sufficiently. Work was very interesting as always, I get to write speaches and participate in different represantative events. The weeknd was more relaxed and easygoing and for me a walk down memory lane.. Financial District, Tribeca and SOHO as old time favourites and the Village as my biggest love of alll were paid a visit. Basically, I kept strolling around for the whole day and the sun was shining.. it couldn’t have been better. On Sunday I got the chance to participate in a guided tour of the Metropolitan Opera, also a favourite! We got to go backstage and have a look at the dressing rooms and the different workshops design, scenery and so on. So I already got a glimpse of what I will be seeing during the next weeks (preferrably Carmen, La Bohème (with Ana Netrebko!!!) and Simon Boccanegra (with Placido Domingo!!!) ). That’s for now, birthday reception waiting!

Day 5 – day of emotional contrasts

What a day! I was on my best behaviour all day because I was in the best mood I could possibly be in. The sunshine and work and the view (reminds me, I gotta post some photos anytime soon!), my first meeting with all colleagues, the damn exciting work we gonna do (still secret but I’ll let you know eventually), New York diplomatic society lunch (which I had no idea about and was totally taken aback) and to finish off a brill’ day: Calico Jack’s! Gosh, all former UN interns will know what I’m on about. NOTHING has changed and honestly who would want it to? And I think it is very important to now officically mention those three who made Calicos to what it was in the summer and who, even if I honestly have no clue why, never made it into this blog namewise: widely known as “the Irish guys”, Anto and Mick and of course Jamie! I am really ashamed of the fact that you guys never made it here even if we had a great time altogether from the start!

This time, German interns were introduced to the 3 bucks margharitas and we discussed diplomacy and the life of a diplomat. Being the only single gal in this god damn place they said it was pretty easy for me to become a diplomat.. but is it? I mean, relations are not only with your partner as such, but with friends and family, too! Now, I have had plans in this direction for a long time and I still believe that it would be the right way for me to go as I find the job interesting, I easily adapt to new situations and languages and I am sure that I would be able to make the best out of it even if I end up in Moldavia for while (no offense). But why on earth am I more likely to be able to do it just because I happen to be single? I don’t want to be single forever if there is anything I can do about it. I am willing to compromise if it is needed. But I also want to fulfill a part of my dream and in that case would need someone to be with who shares this, or make the decision not to become a diplomat knowing that you might not be able to have it all! As easy as that. It is a matter of making a choice and as long as you can live your choice or I can live with MY choice,  I will be fine! I know what I get myself into, I know the deal. But the fact of being single has nothing to do with it. Can you imagine how angry I was?

So in order to get the good spirit of this morning back, I keep telling myself what is really important: good friends who are there for you, whereever you are, a home to come back to whereever it is, and the ability to listen to your heart, your stomach and sometimes your brain in order to do the right thing!

Day 5 Worldrecord comin’ up

This morning I officially broke the world record in speed-eating  category: breakfast; seated.

Real breakfast: cup of coffee, orange juice, youghurt with granula, quarter of tiny melon within less than 10 minutes and I made it to office before 9! However, the little muffin I saved for my coffee break. I think that still counts, because the coffee break is going to be much nicer that way. I had an excuse though for being late to breakfast. I slept. Honestly, that is a perfect excuse, because I haven’t slept properly for weeks as it seems.

I also had still the chance to enjoy sunrise behind the Empire State Building which is in sight as soon as I leave the house. I could actually have used my sunglasses, but those didn’t fit in the bag, the muffin was in the way!

Big old smiley sunshine-face today, don’t know why, really  but life’s good! I wish you all a lovely afternoon!

Day 3 – First Day at work

9.15 – after a 40 minute walk through waking-up Manhattan and past DC2 and Em’s place without bursting into tears (but cloooose!!) I arrived at the German House, a skyscarper at the UN Plaza. It was a fantastic start! My second supervisor showed me around, she is in charge of all the interns and just lovely! She is so adorable and makes you feel welcome right away! After showing me around and introducing me to some colleagues, she dropped me of at my real supervisor’s office and we had our first meeting. I’ll be in charge of several cultural events in the city, do the follow up, organize and so on and so forth. He is very nice, too and it definitely felt like this was going to be really good! I have my office on the 13th floor and a great view over the Upper East Side. I share it with two guys who seem to be ok.

12 – We had lunch with one of the younger diplomats who told us about the ups and downs of the work. I felt that he was really honest which was great. At that lunch I met a girl who lives in the Residence, too and we felt like two of a kind. She speaks even quicker than me, can you imagine!

Time went on and I worked on my first tasks before heading home, having dinner and calling it a night. I was sooo tired but it was a good night’s sleep! Mr. Jetlag is still bothering me, such a pain! But hey, it makes me updating the blog so you got something to read during lunch break or afternoon coffee and not in the middle of the night! Day 4 is starting so I better get goin’! Have a great day everyone!

Note to self Day 3

Change way to work in order to prevent financial ruin!

New York Part II – Day 1 & 2

I got a few minutes now before I head to work, so I just wanted to give you a little hint about what was going on!

Saturday morning went pretty quickly and all of a sudden did I find myself at Cologne Centralstation together with Katharina. We frowned in one of our favourite hobbies (drinking coffee) and talked about everything. Last time I saw her despite New Years was in New York and I couldn’t quite belive that is was time to go back.

The ICE took me with highspeed to Frankfurt (from all precedent train rides that was for sure the coolest one!). I checked in my bags and got checked myself from top to toe including underwear. I had no idea people would hide bombs.. anyway. At the security check I met two other ladies with the same destination and we got on really well immediately. They were going for a film premier at the MoMa on Wednesday and I got invited, too. This trip was aldready fantastic!

We had a laugh the entire trip and the 8 hours to New York felt like roughly ten minutes. Immigration was ok, shuttle bus was ok and at 10pm I found myself back in the 50’s. The Girls Residence I am staying in is like a throw back in time. Those of you who have seen Mona Lisas Smile or Strike! will know exactly what I mean.

I met two other girls on the shuttlebus who lived close by and decided to go for a drink later on. Mercury Bar on 9th is a safe card, and it was a great as always. Who needs to sleep in the city that never sleeps?

Well, I did. The entire Sunday I spent in the Residence, half working, half sleeping and enjoyed my first meals in the Dining Room. It was raining all day, too, which kind of made it the ultimate day to just hang out. I had a little walk arount to get some essentials (umbrella for example). And now it’s Monday, I’ve had my breakfast and will be off to work in a few minutes. Exciting times coming up, I can sense it.

And as it isn’t raining today, I’ll walk to work and take in the New York morning!

On the road.. in the air.. again!

Guess what, it is time to start the blog again! The bags are packed and as always too heavy, the wardrobe is almost empty, the shoe stand likewise, and off I go again. This blog is, as most of you know, about me stepping out of my box and looking around. This time, the box is Helsingborg, but the city is the same as just a few months ago: New York City, baby. Seems like I have some unfinished business over there. Just look at the blog entries, I stopped writing at Day 56 or something? Well, there were 70 in total..busy weeks the last two, that’s for sure and obviously -”leaving New York? Never easy!”,  but we will catch up on this later.

So yeah, it’s time to get back to the city of cities.

Basic facts:

Frankfurt – JFK 16.1., 6 weeks internship at General Consulate, Newark – Frankfurt 6.3.

I can already feel it, this time is different. The anxiety, the nerves, the fear, the roommate, the workplace, the flight company, just not the same..  Not only am I not going straight form my box (taking a little detour passed Cologne), I am also flying Lufthansa and am worried about whether the  films on the plan will be dubbed (god forbid!). Which is basically my single worry. I am pretty cool for a change, which probably is due to the fact, that I know my way around now. I know the workplace, I know the colleagues, I know what my room will look like. All the concerns I had in May are gone, this time, I’ll go to NYC to enjoy. Of course I enjoyed the trip last time, too and it’s gonna hit me hard that Em and Hel won’t be around, but still this time, it’s gonna be different. I’m coming back, I’m not coming to stay, but I’m gonna live NY-life from a more local perspective. I managed to squeeze all the touristy stuff into the last trip so this time, I’ll just go back to my favourite bookstore in Greenwich Village,  enjoy stand-up in the East Village, grab a coffee and rice pudding in SOHO and so on and so on. I’m definitely going find some new places, cause hey -after all it’s New York, but I promised myself to take it easy. I’m looking forward to work. I hope to get back in touch with my New Yorker friends to make sure I’m gonna speak some English. Meet new people from interesting places. Hopefully, I’ll be visiting Kässy in Montreal. Obviously I gotta do my research for my thesis… did I say taking it easy? Hm, easy for my thinking anyway. I’m gonna take good care of myself, relax and rewind for a while. And you all are coming along, by reading this. Because in fact, not being able to share my life with you is cutting my soul into pieces. Be sure that wherever I am, I’m taking you good people with me!

Lots of Love from somewhere in between road and air,

Hannah

Day 56 – quickly sharing

Hey guys, before posting all about the fantastic weekend I would like to share a link to my recently uploaded pictures with you! Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/Honii87/PicturesTakenByOthers

Day 52 – Friday, I’m in love!

My dear friends and followers and family and everything else starting with an f!

Another week has passed without me posting a blogpost and I am truly sorry for that! Though I have to say that my excuses are good.. Maybe not for the weekend, which was pretty relaxed (another night in the Park, this time 14,5 hours from 22.30h to 13.00h the next day and  a day at the beach), but the rest of the week was just packed with work! Monday I spent 10 hours in the office. Afterwards Kritika and I joined our good friend Eva for a glass of wine in a piano bar over the roofs of Manhattan (very much needed as office was crazy…)  and literally just fell into my bed afterwards. Tuesday was basically the same, apart from the fact that we tried to listen to the New York Philharmonic in the Park but as 63.000 others tried to do the same thing we ran off earlier and escaped home to a more quiet and relaxed night (we keep on underestimating the population of this city and the overall percentage of culturally interested people). Wednesday Night I spent with Heli and Emelie and then with Emelie, Kritika and Eva in one of the coolest bars for some serious chatting and girly-business. The Bar is basically a ship that sunk a few years ago and was under water for a long time. They dug it up and restored it and it is now a great venue! Yesterday, that is Thursday, I helped Emelie to plan her birthday which is today. We checked out the restaurant she had picked and I made sure that we had tables reserved at the bar where everyone is going to afterwards! So excited! So yes, basically I am waiting now for the ok of today and the very much longed for weekend after a very busy busy week in order to go to Ems place, get dressed and all, and then enjoy the nights of New York!!!

All my love from the best place in the world!

Day 46 – could time just please stop flying?

I mean honestly, we all should stay down to earth and I now pledge time to do the same thing! Day 46 already? In 3, 5 weeks I will be on my way home. Not that I am not looking forward to coming home so very, very much (I miss you guys!!!!) but already?? It doesn’t feel like 7 weeks in fantastic New York, I have far from done everything I wanted to do; there are still so many fantastic people to meet and what not so please, please time make a little more room! We just cancelled our trip to Washington and Boston, because there is no way we can afford to be away for two whole weekends. The past two weeks have been very busy at work. This week I spent an average of 10 hours in the office everyday so needless to say that I was knackered every day after work. So the weekends are the time for fun and enjoyment and all the cool stuff. This Sunday Kritika and I will head to the beach, that’s for sure! Tonight it is time for me to meet my roots – German consulate is inviting its friends to join them for beer and schnitzel. So yes, in order for me to be pleased and happy and fully satisfied by the 3^rd of August I want time to slow down and relax a little bit. I appreciate it!

Day 43 – will they ever survive?

I just got back from the American Ballet Theater. Em and I went to see Romeo and Juliet at the Metropolitan Opera within the complex of the Lincoln Center. And guess what, I sat there crying. Again. Shouldnt I know by now, that they will never end up together and live happily ever after? After having read the story a hundred times and having seen all these different performances, either ballet or theater, I really should know better. But still I sit there crying as it is the most beautiful story ever written and adding it all up, this was probably the most beautiful choreography I have seen so far! And even f they will never make it to happily ever after, the feeling that this story provides, remains in our hearts and is one of the most valuable emotions we have.

Day 41 – loooooong weekend and Shakespeare in the Park!

A New York tradition I was going to make mine – Shakespeare in the Park. For over 40 years has the New York Public Theater set up Shakespeare Plays in the Delacorte Theater Central Park – for free! I had read about this already back home and was determined to go. This years show – 12th Night or What you want – has already been running for a few weeks and it was a great success according to the 5 big papers in this town, including the Times. Anne Hathaway, Academy Award nominee, is in it and I always liked her, too. Enough pro’s anyway to try and get a ticket. Needless to say that tickets are raaaather difficult to get hold of. In every guidebook it says that you will have to line up very early in the morning to stand a chance to get a ticket, as it is a New York tradition and incredibly popular. Every ticket is for free if you line up and wait until 1pm to pick it up.

A big cultural event accessible to everyone? Well, to those who have patience anyway! Being the big Shakespeare lover that I am it was quite obvious that I would have that patience. Nagging on my dear friends to come and join me in the park for the past weeks didnt really help so I went during the week to see whether I could sneak in and give it a try. Doreen had done it for Hamlet and was lucky but both times I got there it was incredibly crowded. The good weather and the amazing reviews did their job. I knew I would have to be in the park at at least 4am to even have a minimum chance to get tickets and this weekend I would give it a try, with or without companions! None of the girls felt the temptation so I decided to go alone. During my breakfast with newly found friends form the German Mission I mentioned my little adventure and they immediately wanted to come along! I was thrilled! Me and my partners in crime decided to meet at 4am after the fireworks and the following party in the park, blankets and food in our bags. 

It was still dark when we met and we werent even the first ones to arrive. We walked past along the already formed line and built our little camp on the first free spot. The atmosphere was exciting, it was really quiet in the park and we kept whispering as there were people sleeping right next to us. Others had brought air matrasses and cushions and everything, slightly more advanced than our little camp. The first 4 hours until eight went really quickly as we had a lot to talk about. I slept for a little while but the sun rose rather quickly and we were to enjoy a beautiful morning in Central Park!

We were surprised how easy going and well mannered everyone was. No one tried to sneak in or the like, everyone went to the back of the line, paying their respects to those who had been there way earlier! At first we thought it would be about a hundred people before us but as it got lighter we counted (“Is this a man or a cooling box?”) and actually came 48, 49, and 50 for the three of us! Tickets guaranteed! 

At 1pm is was finally time to pack things together, stand up and form a tight line because now strange people started to show up and give it a try to sneak in. But the security guards had a good eye and made that it was only those who had waited the whole night. And only a few minutes later we had our tickets in our hands. 9 hours of caping were over and we were to head home in oder to meet up again 6 hours later for the big show! 

Coming back to the theater and actually having a ticket in the evening was a strange but good feeling! So many people were still in standby and hoping to get in (at least 300 or 400) whilst we had been brave and sacrificed our beauty sleep! We had great seats as well and all of us were feeling the butterflies of excitement in the stomach when the play was about to start… Would it be as good? Would it live up to our expectations? what if not? Was it worth waiting for?

The answer to all this: yes, yes, and YES! It was soooo worth waiting and camping for! Anne Hathaway and the whole ensemble were just fantastic! It was the most amazing night fo outdoors theater and the ensemble did their best to make it the most fabulous New York Night one could imagine! 

Something like Shakespeare in the Park is the true New York experience and I am so glad I got the chance to experience it!

Day 38, 39, 40, 41 – the looooong weekend (or the weekend of little sleep)!

OH! MY! GOD! Having become partly americanized that’s the only thing I can say right now! This was one of the most amazing weekends ever! Kicking off with wednesday, after all “little saturday” in swedish, I went with Kritika for  dinner on the Upper West Side after having tried to get tickets for Shakespeare in the Park just randomly after work. No luck though, the lines were CRAZY and we had no patience. Thursday we went to China and back (visit to the Chinese Permanent Mission to the UN, which raised more questions than it actually answered any). In the evening, it was birthday party time. What started rather slow ended up in a major pub crawl with the whole gang and it was soooo nice. We actually went to Coyote Ugly, the pub that inspired the film, and were only slightly amazed (or shocked?) by clientele as well as the staff… After only 4 hours of sleep I went to Broadway on friday morning in order to meet Carla and get student rush tickets for West Side Story. They had told us on monday at the Box office that this would be possible and as we had Friday off from work, because of the upcoming July 4th, we were so exicted to be able to go and see one of the most amazing shows ever! But no, they had fooled us or provided us with missinformation. I was so upset! I had seen that the show was on and dreaming of going to that one even long before I even knew I would be going to New York. But making the very best out of it, I spent the day with Emelie and we walked our way to Guggenheim and back, which was great and met up with the others (Heli, two finnish girls, mattias from Sweden and David from England) for dinner in China Town! What an experience! Saturday was lazy! I met up with two girls from the German Mission and had breakfast in their beaauuuutiful place in Greenwich Village. Afterwards I went back home to meet up with the others at Pony Bar (the one righ underneath my place) and go and get a spot at the pier for the 4th of July fireworks! We had a blast and enjoyed the impressing fireworks. Though I have to say that Koelner Lichter, with the music and all, might even be more my cup of tea. Even if the fireworks were amazing, 5 boats all along the Hudson River, it was not as good as the whole experience on the Rhine. Sorry New York.

The looooong weekend or the weekend of little sleep will be continued in the next post

Day 37 – quick update

New York most certainly is the place where you can do anything at any time. I guess there are other places too, but for now, NYC truly is the city that never sleeps. We have a lot of work at the moment that keeps us busy and awake, and also the cultural and social events never tend to ceize. The weekend I spend once again with the lovely ladies, the Saturday even in Connecticut in a town called Westport, on what is called jUNe Day. This special day is organised for UN staff since 1965 and is a lovely tradition. We had the chance to participate in different sports (stupid me forgot my bikini) or simply to lie down at the beach and sleep (which is what I did instead). Sunday we went for brunch and enjoyed the Gay Pride March afterwards. It was an amazing experience. It was of course on Christopher Street and takes place because of what is called here the Stonewall Riots. In Cologne however, we call it Christopher Street Day. Learned something there yes!

Em, Mats and me finished the day with a long walk. And by Sunday night, all of a sudden, it was halftime! Now Ive been in NY for 5 weeks and I have another 5 weeks to go. CRAZY how time flies by! But I have to say with all my heart that I love New York and I love my work! Despite the little sleep I get it is a fantastic experience, and I figure that I can still sleep when I get home!

Oh I said the city never sleeps? Well, that is infact not true. New York definitely sleeps on mondays! Carla and I made the frustrating experience of walking along Broadway and up to Central Park, assuming that there would be something going on, because obviously, we are in New York and there is always something going on. But.. not on mondays! No show, no nothing and we had to go home without any cultural treatment apart from the good company. So from now on I will schedule my sleep-in or rather sleep-out for Monday nights. Just as the rest of New York. I might after all turn into a true New Yorker. I guess I have another 5 weeks to figure that out!

Day 31 – Are we making history – or just a fool of ourselves?

From June 24 until June 26 there is a high level conference on the World Financial Crisis and its impact on development here in the UN headquarters in New York. Before we started our internship we were told about this conference and all the security measures taken because of this as it is a high level conference with all the important heads of state participating. The conference started yesterday and everything so far went smoothly. The discussions I think will contribute to further action and also provide the General Assembly in autumn with necessary material to decide upon. However, the “high level” – label of this conference is questionable. Yesterday, when the heads of state made their statements, they were all talking about how the developing countries were dragged into the financial crisis and how they are suffering the most, even though they are not responsible for it. Which of course is true. But all these countries, some of them representing the poorest of the poor, were crying out for help and none of the big guys, who actually have the power to change something, were there. The G8 had only sent delegations, in some cases a minister, but thats it. No Sarkozy, no Merkel, no Obama for that matter (and he just had a 3 hour journey at the maximum). Were they too afraid of taking responsibility for irresponsible actions in the financial sector? Do they not care enough for the impact of their own mistakes?

This conference is supposed to write history. Which I truly think it could. But if the bullying partners in this crisis do not show up for counseling, how are we then supposed to solve the problem? Standing here and scream out loud into the empty, big, wide open, will not make history, it will make a fool of ourselves!

Day 28, 29, 30 – work it, baby!

Hey everyone out there! It is the middle of the week, again, and three days of work in the office have gone by without any exciting details to tell. Monday night I spent with Kritika, Emelie, Jose, and Matthias. The initial plan was to go and se Anna Ternheim play, finally, but when we got to the pub where she was going to have her concert, all the tickets were gone. The alternative was a Stand up Comedy thing in some random bar on the Lower East Side, which was entertaining but of course not Anna Ternheim. I wanted to see her for ages now so I was really disappointed! Tuesday night I spent at home, enjoying my book and a glass of wine with the new cat! Serengeti, Doreen’s old cat, died in cancer last week and now we have a new cutie living with us! I little grey male cat who resembles good Nero Corleone from top till toe, apart form the fact that he is grey and not black, of course! I so want to have a cat when I get  a proper apartment someday!

And tonight I went for dinner with Emelie in the Thai place around the corner. We had some girly chat,  which was nice, and got to know each other a lot better, which I think was fantastic! Aaaaaaand my personally designed shoes arrived today! Soooo coool! I am annoyingly proud of them!

Check out the photos of the weekend and the shoes (of course) on: http://picasaweb.google.com/Honii87

Have a great night and a fabulous end of the week everyone!