Traded what I know for how I feel

Hi, my name is Marissa and I’ve been in Europe for ONE whole month now. I feel happier saying that then I did 4 days ago when it was my 21 birthdays. I’ve survived 1 month being abroad by myself, with some help from some of my friends of course. So thank you for every person that has helped me get through each day. In a little over a month I will be on a plane back to the states from Rio, which is crazy and a little sad to say. But I also miss you and the US a little. So it will of course be bitter sweet.

When it comes to traveling, nothing is going to go perfectly all the time. Most of the time there is going to be something that goes wrong and frequently you’ve got to smile and make the most of it. Yesterday was kind of one of those days. I had bought a train ticket to meet my friend, Patrick and his friend in Forsheda for Midsomer fest. This of course was great news for me because otherwise I was going to be in Stockholm by myself. That of course would have been okay, but I was excited to spend some time celebrating the true midsömer.

So as I sat at the train station yesterday, working on a project, a man came up to me and said you must be Marissa. “yes sir,” I said. Well your friend Patrick had a difficult time catching the ferry and won’t be here until 4, so I’m here to pick you up. "Hahahhahahahahaha" I thought. At that point, I guess, you just assume that this man is harmless and get in the car with him.  Only in Sweden can you do that. If you’re in the US and someone does that run in the other direction....

Anyways so I got in the car.  He proceeded to say,  "I was at the hospital last night until 5 am because my son had scarlet fever."  Who knew people could still get scarlet fever anymore???? Not me. Anyways so I walked into this person’s old renovated church house who had a son with scarlet fever. Not really the way I had expected to spend my day if I’m being completely honest with you.

The house is beautiful. They had bought this church and renovated it to a house. As he told stories of his recreation of this house, I felt at home. It all sounded like what we had gone through with our signal mountain house. His was just a little more dramatic. You can feel the proudness of people who have renovated houses like that. It is like a painting that they spent 10 years on and they just want to tell you about it and show it to you. THIS is why I love old eclectic houses. Why would you buy a huge house with no character when you can renovate a old church and make it something you could of only imagined. (sorry I have a beef with typical US houses). Attached are some pictures of their house. And tack (thank you in Swedish) to Beatrice and Yalla for having me.

We ate and drank for about 5 hours, and the company, hearing the stories and opinions of true Swedes was incredible. But also I need to work out my stomach is sore from all the food.

So today I’m on a train to Stockholm to travel by myself for the first time. I’m excited and a little nervous. So fingers crossed. And fingers crossed I don’t have scarlet fever ;)








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