Lifestyle – Emma On Exchange

Glædelig Jul from Denmark

Denmark celebrates Christmas on the 24th. They do a lot of other things a little differently. Last night my family and I were lucky enough to be able to celebrate Christmas here with my friend Marcia’s family! Danes put so much time and preparation into their Christmas celebrations and that extra effort makes ‘Jul’ in Denmark one of the most wonderful experiences you can have in a lifetime.

Here are some of the highlights from my Danish Christmas experience this year:

Christmas Tree (Juletræ) – Danes don’t pack on the decorations as much as we do in North America but instead decorate their trees with real candles, beautiful woven paper hearts (julehjerter) and simple ornaments. The result is simple but charming.
Dancing around the Juletræ – After dinner (before presents), everyone holds hands and circles the Christmas tree singing traditional hymns. This is such a beautiful tradition and brings home the feeling of ‘togetherness.’
Food – caramelized potatoes, pickled red cabbage, roasted duck, pork, the best gravy you’ve had in your life, pickled cucumbers…’hearty’ is the best way to describe Danish Christmas food but it’s fantastic.
Desserts – I already talked about food but Danish desserts really deserve their own section. Whether it be the many types of shortbread and ginger cookies, the marzipan, the incredible chocolate, the æbleskiver (ball-shaped pancakes with powdered sugar and jam) or the very famous gløgg (essentially mulled wine), Danes definitely do desserts right.
Rice Pudding (Risengrød) – Not only does dessert deserve its own section but so does this particular dessert. One of the most iconic desserts, this also comes with its own game attached; a peeled almond is hidden in the pudding and whoever finds the almond in their personal dish gets a special gift! The competition can get fierce!
Tuborg Julebryg – This is a special Christmas beer by Tuborg that has an official holiday named after it (J-dag) where they give out free beer and sing ‘Jingle Bells’ on the street. What more could you ask for?
Christmas Markets (Julemarked) – Christmas markets are the best places to find traditional crafts, Christmas foods, and friendly people all in one place. They can’t be beat!

And finally…. HYGGE. Hygge means “creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people” or “families and friends getting together for a meal, with the lighting dimmed” or “time spent on your own reading a good book” (http://ind.pn/2eCVfc0). Whatever hygge means to you, it is the perfect feeling to describe Christmas in Denmark!

Traveling By Hostel: 10 Pros & Cons

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries – Aldous Huxley

To hostel or not to hostel? Throughout my various travels during my exchange experience, I have had the opportunity to stay in many different hostels (read: I had no other choice due to budget constraints).

I now feel fairly confident in identifying some of the best parts of the hostel experience (and some of the worst). For anyone considering traveling by hostel, here is a quick PRO/CON overview for you to check out so that you know what you’re getting yourself into!

1. PRO: Inexpensive
Hostels are probably the cheapest accommodations you can find – in several places I paid less than $10/ a night! This is ideal for the budget-traveler such as myself. Additionally, many hostels offer inexpensive food and drink options. For me, this is one of the best benefits; if you spend less money on accommodation and certain meals (such as breakfast), you have more money to spend sightseeing!

2. CON: Sleeping Conditions
If, like me, you opt for the less expensive group rooms (some sleep up to 20 people), prepare yourself. Hostel rooms are host to bad snorers galore as well as people with different sleep habits (getting up too early or staying up too late). Additionally, a room filled with the body heat of many people can tend to get pretty stuffy. Prep yourself with a sleep playlist (I had a thunderstorm playlist ready for nights with heavy snorers), earplugs and a sleep mask.

3. PRO: Best Locations in the City
I don’t know how they do it but if you’re staying in a hostel, chances are you’re in a far superior location than some of the more posh hotels you might otherwise stay in. I have been able to find multiple hostel options in the beating heart of every city. This is by far one of the best benefits of staying in a hostel.

4. CON: Potentially Subpar Facilities
Not all hostels are created equal. Expect to encounter creaky beds, dirty showers, dirty floors, weird smells and so much more. What you see in the picture is not always what you get and sometimes being in a hostel just means having a place to sleep that night.

5. PRO: Meeting Cool People
Hostels host an eclectic range of people from around the world. You’ll meet people on weekend trips, casual backpackers, and serious backpackers (you’ll know who they are) to name a few. Most people you’ll come across are more than happy to trade travel notes, tell you their life story, or even grab a beer with you. I love this aspect of hostels (and group rooms) – it opens you up to all sorts of new adventures!

6. CON: There are Creepy People Too
On the flip side, you can’t live life without meeting a few creepers and these also exist in the context of hostels. My advice? Travel with a friend, trust your instincts and book larger group rooms (that way there will be witnesses if you’re murdered).

7. PRO: Really Unique Hostels
There are some really unique hostels out there that afford you the option of staying in a castle, prison, etc. Why book a hotel when you could spend the night in a centuries old castle?! Trying to be a princess here…

8. CON: Lack of Security
While the buildings of the hostels I’ve stayed in have been very secure (key cards just to enter the building, key cards for hallways and rooms), once you’re in a group room, you’re fairly reliant on the goodness of the people staying in the room with you. While I’ve never experienced it, theft can be quite common. Be sure to bring a lock with you and to keep valuables on you.

9. PRO: Organized Group Activities
Are you looking to meet new people when you travel? Hostels are great for that since most offer daily tours, pub crawls, etc. (as well as having their own bars). While I prefer to avoid tours and explore a city on my own, these activities are fairly unique to hostels and you’ll find like-minded people within a similar age demographic which is always a plus! It’s also a great way to connect with cool people you may run into in your hostel room.

10. CON: Less Standardized Info
Like I said previously, you never know what you’re going to get when you show up at a hostel. Despite now being able to book and find pictures online, hostels tend to ‘surprise’ (negatively) more than traditional hotels do so mentally prepare yourself.

A FEW FINAL TIPS for anyone looking to take the plunge!
– Reliable Hostel Chains: Generator Hostels, Plus Hostels (ex. Berlin Plus, Prague Plus)
– Make an account and book through Hostelworld! They often offer deals and have the best selection of hostel offerings in one place. Best part is they show important details such as facilities, proximity to city, and reviews.
– I’ve used Hostelling International less than Hostelworld but it is very very reliable!
– READ THE REVIEWS! I’ve avoided many a sketchy hostel (that looks fine at first glance) by perusing reviews. Not only will this save you much travel angst but it will also afford you endless amusement.

**I am not sponsored or paid to promote any of these companies (I wish!)
A special thanks to my friends Haley & Laura who contributed thoughts/suggestions to this list!

American & Out of Touch

“This loss hurts. But please, please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it. It’s always worth it. And we need you keep up these fights now and for the rest of your lives.” – Hillary Clinton

Yesterday morning I woke up to my worst nightmare – a misogynist, a racist, a supremely unqualified political joke was elected to be the next president of the United States.

In a world where tens of horrible things happen every day, not much can shake me. The last time I remember crying when watching the news was during 9/11 – I was 6 years old and I didn’t understand what was going on but my mom was crying and that more than anything terrified me. A lot of terrible things have happened since 2001 but even when seeing some of the worst, I would simply feel numb, or shocked, or helpless.

But yesterday when I saw that Trump was elected, for the first time in 15 years I cried watching the news. Trump’s election was a wakeup call – it showed me how out of touch I am with the American people.

I grew up in Seattle – one of the most liberal parts of the country – in a multicultural family and surrounded by well-educated, multicultural people. I attend university (and have spent the last 3 years in) Canada – one of the best educated and most liberal countries in the world. I currently live in Denmark, another remarkably educated and liberal country. The Americans I grew up around were mostly liberal. The Americans I study with in Canada are most definitely liberal. The Americans I’ve met traveling around the world are without doubt very liberal.

“Life is tough my darling, but so are you.” – Stephanie Bennett-Henry

In my 21 years of life, tolerance and acceptance have been the mantra of the people around me. “Love yourself and others.” “Treat others how you want to be treated.” “Appreciate each other’s differences and learn from them.” “Be a voice for people who don’t have a voice.” “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw the stone.”

Meeting someone intolerant was something of an anomaly – to be talked about around the dinner table or laughed at in conversations with friends. I grew used to rolling my eyes at ‘the type of people that vote for Trump’ without realizing how much of a bubble I live in. Every place I’ve been to, I’ve largely met like-minded people. In voting for Hillary and what she stood for, I thought I was in the majority. I thought wrong.

The optimist in me, growing up in the circumstances I did, couldn’t believe that my country would, when it came down to it, elect Trump for president. How could people be so upset, so angry, so biased that they would elect someone that not only was completely unqualified but also so morally questionable to represent our country? Trump’s election yesterday promptly popped the bubble for me.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

I cried yesterday because my understanding of the United States of America has fundamentally altered. I cried because I felt out of place as an American citizen and I didn’t feel connected to the American people. I cried because I felt helpless. I felt helpless because I voted, the people of my state voted, and we overwhelmingly stood up for what we believed in – but we were outnumbered.

Coming out of this nightmare, I have realized something important. I am privileged to have grown up in a community that encourages educated discourse, and tolerance. I am privileged to have a college education. I am privileged to be exposed to the people I am. I am privileged to understand the benefits of diversity and personally benefit from them.

At the same time, I need to recognize that my response to others who haven’t grown up with the same benefits was at times patronizing and even condescending. I need to put that mindset aside and focus on understanding and educating rather than blaming and criticizing. Only then will I fully understand what brought the United States to this point, and start to make real change happen. I will never have the same view of what it is to be an ‘American’ but I will also strive towards helping my country fit the ideal I had in my mind.

When I talked to my dad yesterday, he encouraged me not to “give up on the United States” and I won’t. I am so uplifted by the response I’ve seen from my friends, my family, even strangers. They have reminded me that America the Beautiful was founded on ideals that don’t waver, regardless of the politicians and parties that have power. Knowing for the first time in my life what it feels like to have those values challenged, I will fight even harder.

I will follow the examples of President Obama and Secretary Clinton – both gracious and optimistic in their defeat – and I will recognize that love will always trump hate, even if it takes time. Most importantly, I will not give up.

What’s On My Bookshelf?

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” – C.S. Lewis

A self-declared ‘book nerd,’ I have always been obsessed with literature – especially classic literature. I can remember many a night where I have stayed up past my bedtime with a flashlight in hand for the sole purpose of getting through the next chapter.

However, when I started university, I found it hard to work in time for ‘pleasure reading.’ Between studying, socializing, and getting involved around campus, it was easy to overlook one of my favourite pastimes – to simply push my reading list off until the summer when I would “have more time.” Luckily, sometime during my sophomore year I came to my senses and made a plan.

I decided to read 30 minutes every night before bed at a minimum. There are obviously nights where this doesn’t happen and there are nights where I end up reading 2 hours after getting carried away. Overall though, I have more or less been able to stick to my commitment and it has vastly improved my daily life. Not only am I better at getting through my (seemingly unending) reading list and venturing into previously unknown areas of knowledge, but I also clear my head and sleep much better than I did before. It’s so easy to allocate 30 minutes – especially given most of us can easily take up this time perusing our phones – and there’s so much to gain from it. I highly recommend it.

One of the best parts of traveling is having even more time to read…whether it be during the 30 minutes between flights, or on a long train ride, or snuggled up under a mountain of covers when the weather in Copenhagen gets too cold. Since my travels have allowed me to get through quite a few books, I’ve decided to share the books that have been my recent and current companions.

If you have any book suggestions, I am more than happy to take them!

Currently Reading:

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

10357575 This book’s style is really intriguing to me. Murakami writes in a straightforward way that, as my dad pointed out, is very unusual for someone who is Japanese (maybe one of the reasons my mom doesn’t like his writing). Despite his straightforwardness, there is so much meaning that only develops over time and I’ve found myself on my toes for the entire time. I can’t seem to put this book down – I’ve finished half the book in less than a week – and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Favourite Quote (so far): “‘According to Chekhov…once a gun appears in a story, it has to be fired.'”

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights has been one of my favourite books since I first read it and has continued to be through my many re-reads. I’ll never get tired of the wildness of the moors or the tragic and terrible romance that is Heathcliff and Cathy. Who doesn’t love a book where the characters don’t conform to rules of ‘right and wrong.’ This current re-read is for my book club with my friend Megan – I’m enjoying it just as much as the first time I read it!

Favourite Quote: “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

Recently Read:

The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

23009896 What a mesmerizing read. Ellison’s book is as relevant now as when it was published. Understanding the perspective of a black man in a white society (as portrayed by an anonymous narrator) is incredibly enlightening and fascinating. As a person of colour I found myself sympathizing with, marveling in and appreciating the narrative. I think this is an important read for everyone given the struggles for race currently being brought to light

Favourite Quote: “Must I strive toward colorlessness? But seriously, and without snobbery, think of what the world would lose if that should happen. America is woven of many strands, I would recognize them and let it so remain.”

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

38447 I read this book after seeing a Facebook post from a former teacher (sharing an opinion article) that suggested that Trump’s views and the mindset supporting them may make a Handmaid’s Tale-esque world a reality. Once I started reading, I didn’t stop until I’d read the entire book – nevermind that it was 4am in the morning. This alternate, misogynistic reality is a future that Atwood herself speculated would happen (i.e. it’s classification as ‘speculative fiction’) and I myself can’t say it would be an impossibility. I won’t give away the context, or the ending, but I can say that if you haven’t already read it, you should put The Handmaid’s Tale at the top of your reading list.

Favourite Quote: “Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.”

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.” – Lemony Snicket

1 Suitcase, 1 Carry-on, 1 Personal

“Simplicity boils down to two steps: identify the essential, eliminate the rest.” – Leo Babatua

If you know me well, you’ll be be surprised that I somehow managed to bring everything in a one check-in bag (medium-large suitcase), one carry-on bag (medium duffle bag) and one personal item (a hiking backpack). I’ve even managed to fit everything into my room without a closet and without a dresser!

Although I did buy a few things while in Denmark, I accounted for the large majority of my necessities in my packing.

Here’s how I did it!

A Quick Summary of My Packing Strategy:

Pack neutral colours so that you can pair everything with anything (and so that you blend in with the Europeans).
Speaking of Europeans… they always dress better than you do so plan on dressing up from what you normally wear back home.
Pack different layers! This is especially important if you’re traveling during multiple seasons like I did.
Think and re-think every item. “When will I wear this?” “How many different outfits can I wear this with?” “Is this worth the space it will take up?”
Roll everything.
Keep accessories simple and to a minimum. You don’t want to have to keep track of too many valuables.
Don’t bring unnecessary electronics (ex. hair dryers and straighteners will burn out in Europe anyway – if you need it, buy it when you arrive).
Don’t bring unnecessary cosmetic products (I packed some of these anyway but at the very least don’t bring your shampoo, body wash, etc.).
Divide heavy items between bags. Airlines may charge extra for overweight baggage but they usually don’t check the weight of your carry-on.
Leave room for something special to make you feel at home. You’ll want it when you’ve been abroad a while and start to miss home. For me, it was (more than) a few great books.

In Hindsight, What I Would Leave Behind:

Swimsuit – thinking I would use this while in Denmark or traveling was overly ambitious
Business heels – fancy boots function just as well in any situation here
Casual jackets – unlike the PNW, Denmark makes a quick transition from warm summer to cold autumn and the mid-level jacket stage was skipped

What I Wish I’d Packed:

Extra converters – they’re much cheaper back home
Extra makeup – although you can buy makeup here, it’s much cheaper to buy at home and some of my favourite brands don’t carry over (Stila!!)
Mid-level layers – sweaters, cute sweatshirts, etc. Basically anything I can layer to be warmer.

My Full Packing List (for anyone who still doubts me or who needs packing inspiration):
**I know it seems like I brought a lot of stuff but consider the fact that I had to dress for two seasons AND it still fit in 1 suitcase, 1 carry-on and 1 backpack***

Shoes:
1 x business-appropriate heels (neutral)
1 x heeled booties (black)
1 x Hunters (black)
1 x heeled sandals (tan)
2 x sneakers (white / adidas, black / nikes)
1 x Birks
*I’ve actually worn all of these already

Apparel:
Dresses
1 x shift dress (tan)
2 x black summer dresses
1 x t-shirt dress (striped)
1 x business-appropriate dress (black)
–
Tops
4 x sweaters (white, grey, striped, tan)
2 x button-ups (denim, white)
1 x lightweight workout jacket
12 x shirts (casual grey, casual white x2, white fancy, black fancy x2, patterned crop, striped x2, workout x2)
2 x long-sleeve sleep shirts
2 x tanktops for layering (tan, black)
–
Bottoms
4 x jeans (dark wash, light wash, white, black)
1 x adidas sweats
2 x loose dress pants (black)
1 x leggings (black)
2 x workout shorts
2 x shorts (black, dark green)
1 x skirt (black denim)
1 x pajama bottoms
–
Outerwear
1 x Arcteryx rain jacket (red)
1 x Patagonia fleece pullover
1 x wool overcoat (grey)
2 x casual jackets (black, army green)
1 x loose blazer (maroon)
*you can figure out the undergarments, socks, etc. yourself

Electronics:
1 x laptop
1 x iPad Mini (I bought this for my trip and it’s proved amazing!)
1 x computer backup drive – important to anticipate crashes when in a foreign country
1 x cell phone
1 x camera
1 x toothbrush
1 x electronics converter (you can buy USB plug-ins anywhere so you really only need one converter)

Et cetera:
4 x scarves (2 winter, 2 summer)
1 x eyeglasses
1 x swimsuit
2 x earrings
2 x necklaces
1 x sunglasses
1 x purse (black)
1 x perfume
1 x everything makeup
1 x hair stuff (but you can buy this abroad)
1 x necessary medications
8 x books (judge me, I don’t care)

Traveling With A Friend (& How Not to Hate Each Other)

I’ve always been told that traveling with a friend for the first time will either make or break your friendship. While this may be a bit of an exaggeration (…or in some cases not), I have come up with some suggestions for anyone looking to take the plunge and travel with a friend!

(These suggestions are 100% based on personal experience).

TO DO

Recognize when you are actually annoyed or just hangry (usually I’m just hangry)
Buy snacks to stave off said state of ‘hangriness’
Discuss itineraries the night before and prioritize together – that way you know what to expect and won’t miss the most important things if something goes wrong
Take cute pictures of each other (it’s great to have someone to return the favour)
Figure out a good way to split/transfer costs and have a conversation about it beforehand (Venmo is awesome!)
Discuss budget constraints ahead of time – nothing causes more stress than money and operating on different budgets (consider setting a ballpark meal cost per day)
Build in downtime where you don’t have to be together the whole time (reading, relaxing, etc.)
Consider building in a ‘luxury’ night where you rent a private room instead of a group room hostel – sometimes bad attitudes come out of not having regular life luxuries
Don’t deny the benefits of a selfie stick
Be flexible! One of you will be late getting ready for one thing and another will be late for another – temper your annoyance knowing you’ll do it too

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Blaming the other person for anything (it’ll be your fault next time)
Feeling like you need to be together 24/7 (exploring on your own is fun and can be a good way to get personal space)!
Skipping meals to see more (see above on hangriness – even if it’s just a snack to keep you going, make the time)
Being on your phone too much (I can be guilty of this too but you’ll see so much and have so many more interesting conversations if you put your phone away)
Holding a grudge (will you really enjoy your trip if you’re still thinking about that one thing they did five days ago?)

And as a bonus….
TRAVEL FRIENDS ARE GREAT BECAUSE…

There will always be someone to watch your stuff when you need to pee
You won’t go crazy talking to yourself
Good company plain and simple
Plenty of “candid” photos to choose from (do it for the Instagram-aesthetic!)
An added sense of security (especially as a female-traveler)
You can try more things (“Hey, wanna split x and y for dinner and then try z for dessert?”)
If you see a cute boy you have someone to point him out to / discuss with
If you manage to make it through OK, you will be friends for life
FRIENDSHIP XOXO

“Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures…” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Vacationing like Fitzgerald

“I have found that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain

A little less than two weeks ago, my friend Haley and I made a spur of the moment decision to spend two weeks traveling together. I’d mentioned that I wanted to visit Spain (a country where I speak the language, finally!) and wanted a travel buddy. Although traveling with someone you’ve only known for 2 months is pretty ambitious, we were excited to get going; besides, having a travel buddy means having a built-in photo taker! Pretty soon, we were booking tickets to France and Spain for the following week!

We began our journey with a 3-night stay in Nice – the heart of the French Riviera. Getting off the plane and walking into the heart of Nice, I was blown away. Everywhere I looked I was bombarded with pastel-coloured buildings, palm trees and posh people. The balmy 20 degree weather (it didn’t last) and the backdrop of beautiful beach coastline didn’t hurt either.

To be completely honest, France has never been at the forefront of my travel bucket-list but when Haley and I were making travel plans, I thought it might be fun and asked my cousin for suggestions…I’m so glad that I did!

“See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security.” – Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

After spending almost a week in the French Riviera and in Provence, I can easily understand why this part of the world was so beloved by some of the most influential talents in the world. The fact that people like the Fitzgeralds or Picasso summered here makes it even more appealing.

Not only is this part of France absolutely beautiful, the food is fantastic and the people are relaxed and friendly. At this time of year – the off season – nothing was crowded and we were able to meet the pace of the other (largely retiree-age) travelers. At one point we were asked “Are you 21 or 81?” but honestly it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of a big city and just relax by the water.

Although we were traveling in the off-season, I actually enjoyed it! Some stores and restaurants were closed but all the cities we visited still had a fair number of people and I can’t imagine having to deal with the crowds during the late summer (their high season). Despite having to deal with thunderstorms and torrential downpours on certain days, we also got to experience 20 degree weather in October which would be unprecedented in Denmark.

I’m still alive and still walking around with a camera attached to my neck – here are some overall thoughts about Southern France as well as each city we visited:

Sweet:

– The colour! The pastels everywhere were so romantic.
– The French people! They get such a bad rap among other Europeans but Haley and I found it so refreshing how many French people engaged us in conversation despite their limited handle on English.
– A lot of museums were free or had discounts for students!
– One we got to the cities, it was very easy to travel everywhere by foot.

Salty:

– In many museums, public transit, signs, etc. everything was written in French.
– The French we encountered spoke English much less fluently than I thought they would. They try so hard anyway though that I loved them all the more for it.
– A local baker told us that the area was famous for having 300 days of sun each year but we got a fair share of the rainy days (thunderstorms and downpours!) during our stay

Overall impression: Nice

– The pastels!!!The intricate balconies!!! I basically walked around with my jaw open and my head staring up at the buildings around me
– Very slow-paced even though it was the biggest city we visited (besides Cannes)
– Love love loved the MOMAC museum – especially the current exhibitions!

Overall impression: Antibes

– Felt like walking into a fairy tale (the old town) or a Fitzgerald novel (because, duh)
– The locals were so fantastic!
– The yachts though…one was so large we thought it was a building at first
– Looking out over the ocean and seeing a mountain skyline breathed life back into me

Overall impression: Avignon

– This felt like the oldest city out of all the ones we visited
– The Papal Palace reminded me of my childhood vision of what a palace should be
– Everything was very concentrated around the palace but it was so interesting to learn about how Avignon evolved through the Great Schism, the Revolution and other historical events (awesome for history buffs like moi)

Itinerary:

Nice
Old Town
Promenade des Anglais – originally built for the wealthy English
Place Masséna – main city square
–
Marche Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya – flower & artist market
St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral – Russian cathedral
Avenue Jean Médecin – main shopping street
–
MOMAC – Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art
Basilique Notre Dame – cathedral
Musée Matisse + Roman Ruins

Antibes
Vieille Ville – Old Town
Waterfront, Port – essentially luxury-yacht-central
Le Nomade – really cool sculpture on waterfront
–
Marche Provencal – local farmer’s market
Picasso Museum – incredible collection donated by Picasso and his family
Cannes – as in the film festival; day trip with dinner on the beach
Avignon
Old town
–
Palais des Papes – palace for French popes during Great Schism
Jardin du Rocher des Domes – palace gardens
Pont Saint-Benezet (Pont d’Avignon) – famous bridge featured in French nursery rhyme
Notre Dame des Doms d’Avignon – Avignon cathedral, adjacent to palace
–
Avignon Les Halles – local market

City Recap: Stockholm

Stockholm was one of the cities I’ve been most looking forward to visiting since arriving in Europe.

More than anything, I was looking forward to spending time with my friends Megan (on exchange in Stockholm) and Nicolle (meeting us from exchange in Vienna). While I’ve made some incredible friends in Copenhagen already, I’ve definitely missed my friends from home and getting to see them helped a little with the homesickness. Walking around, going on day trips, chatting about boys, going shopping, enjoying coffee in the cutest little cafes… part of me felt like I was right back in Vancouver.

What I didn’t expect was how much being in Stockholm satisfied other aspects of homesickness. While the city looks nothing like home – filled with picturesque, multicolored buildings that are centuries old – there were certain elements that reminded me of the Pacific Northwest:

– Trees everywhere you go and along the coastlines (apparently Sweden is 80% forest!)
– Great food (I had sushi for the first time since coming to Europe and it satisfied my deepest cravings)
– Beautiful coastline almost everywhere you look! (Stockholm is surrounded by an archipelago of islands and is itself a group of 14 islands).
– Super-fit people walking and running everywhere
– Parks all around the city

I often hear Copenhagen and Stockholm compared but I actually found them to be pretty different. Stockholm’s population was much more diverse in comparison and the city seemed to have much more of an Eastern European influence – in architecture, colour, food, etc. There were fewer bikes than in Copenhagen and the people in Stockholm seemed to really take a relaxed approach at life (supposedly maternity leave is almost 2 years!).

I had the most wonderful time in Stockholm and the city was especially charming because I spent my time with Nicolle and Megan. Megan was the most amazing host – showing us the cutest cafes and expertly navigating the winding streets. I can’t wait to return the favour when both Megan and Nicolle take their turns visiting me in Copenhagen.

Favourite Places:

– Wasa Museum: I was amused to learn that the 17th century warship housed in this museum sank within 20 minutes of its maiden voyage. It didn’t even make it out of the Stockholm Harbour. However, the entirety of the ship is housed within the museum and it’s an incredible sight to see – one of Sweden’s national treasures.
– Gamla Stan: The narrow streets of Stockholm’s Old Town were filled with quaint restaurants and charming shops. You definitely can’t experience Stockholm without visiting Gamla Stan.
– Archipelago / Vaxholm: This was definitely the most beautiful part of my trip. Taking the ferry through the many small islands that make up the archipelago was breathtaking; there’s nothing that lends a sense of serenity like open water.
– Skansen: Walking around Stockholm’s open air museum, surrounded by traditional homes, schools, farms, and businesses, I could easily imagine what life in Sweden may have been like several hundred years ago. I personally found it interesting that the style of architecture was in some ways similar to what I’d seen previously at Plymouth Plantation (this makes sense if you think about the fact that immigrants to the US colonies came from all over Western Europe).
– ABBA Museum: Some of you may roll your eyes at me here but this honestly was one of the highlights of my trip. This interactive museum caters to the ultimate ABBA fan through its offering of karaoke recordings, music videos, stage performances, etc. I spent the last 2 hours of my time in Stockholm singing and dancing my heart out to ABBA with Megan and it was spectacular.

Sweet:

– Diverse and delicious food
– Beautiful architecture – the colour was incomparable!
– Great shopping
– Water views no matter where you go!

Salty:

– Museum entry prices
– Prices of everything in general (more expensive even than Copenhagen!)
– The City Hall was closed during the entirety of my visit for the weekend and then for a special event (it looks amazing though for anyone who is able to visit when it’s open)

#EmmaTips

– Buy a transport pass (I bought one for 3 days and it allowed me on the metro system, the buses and more!)
– Bring your student card – quite a few of the sites I visited had student discounts

My Stockholm Itinerary
** = highly recommend

Day 1:
– Walk through Ostermalm & Hotorget (market and shopping areas)
– Vasa Museum** (original 17th century warship)
– Djur Gardens
– Gamla Stan (Old Town)**
– Esa Sushi

Day 2:
– Ferry through Archipelago to Vaxholm** (sails through the beautiful islands surrounding Stockholm)
– Royal Palace Museums
– Stockholm Cathedral (beautiful if you have time – close to the changing of the guard)
– Shopping in Sofo (‘hipster’ shopping area – nice selection of stores)
– Dinner in Gamla Stan

Day 3:
– Kaffe Verkette (cute breakfast place courtesy of Megan – I highly recommend! )
– City Hall
– Nordiska Museum (an eye into Swedish cultural history over the years)
– Skansen** (open air folk museum – similar concept to Plymouth Plantation)
– ABBA Museum**

Love Letter to My Sorority

“One woman is a tiny divine spark in a timeless sisterhood tapestry collective.” – Jan Porter

As most of you who attend UBC (or follow my social media) are aware, this past week, UBC Sororities held its yearly recruitment. This essentially means that yesterday I gained 35 new sorority sisters!

If you can’t tell from my numerous social media posts, I’ve been struck with a serious case of FOMO (fear-of-missing-out). Unluckily for them, my close friends and two littles have been dealing with the worst of it – my questions, my requests for snapchats and daily updates, etc. I knew when I left that I would miss everyone but the severity to which I did only really hit me this weekend.

So, I decided to take the time to examine what it was that I miss so much about being home among my sisters – what it is that makes being an Alpha Gam so significant to me.

You might be surprised to hear that my 50,000+ people campus feels small. This stands as a stark contrast to my experience on exchange where my life revolves around a growing but small network of people. At home I always have someone to hang out with, something to get involved with, someone to be inspired by. It’s amazing how a short discussion with a sister between classes – even just a smile and a wave – can make my day that much brighter. Being in a sorority means having a network and a support system to fall back on. Suddenly being separated from that network has shown me how important it has become.

Even so, Alpha Gam makes the world a smaller place. The fact that I can form fast friendships with Alpha Gams from different chapters – and that there are so many consistencies in character – is impressive in and of itself. Being an Alpha Gam abroad means that there are sisters to visit all over the world and sisters to get travel tips from. There’s always someone forging the path ahead of you and that has been a comfort as I adjust to my life here.

For me, sisterhood has meant so many insignificant things adding up to something significant. This is what I miss most in my daily life. Having someone to sit next to in most of my classes. Study guides swapped before back-breaking exams. Someone to rant to. Textbooks sold extra-cheap. Shameless social media stalking of cute guys. Online shopping when we should be studying. Editing each other’s tinder profiles. Outfits examined and analyzed for everything from dates to formals to hiking trips to adventures. Obnoxious comments on social media. Coffee when you need it the most. Conversations about whether it’s too late at night to order pizza. Serious debates about the Bachelor. Movie nights crying over romcoms wondering why the men around us can’t be more like Channing Tatum (She’s the Man version, obviously).

“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.” – Isadora James

It’s true that I’ve made some of my best friends through Alpha Gam but I’ll be the first to admit that not everyone in my chapter is my best friend – even my close friend. What’s incredible is that despite this fact, I can get along with anyone in my chapter and never feel uncomfortable no matter who I’m with, or what situation I’m in. I know that if I needed support, any woman in my sorority would drop everything to be at my aid – I’ve experienced it first hand.

Unsurprisingly, Copenhagen isn’t all that diverse; I didn’t realize how important the diversity of my peers was until I missed it. It is one of the characteristics I love most about my chapter. There’s women from every walk of life and every background. Women studying to be businesswomen, teachers, scientists, artists. There’s never a shortage of perspective or differences of opinion. Since joining my sorority, I constantly examine myself to see if I’m living up to the standard set by the women around me – they are #goals and inspire me to be the best version of myself. Because of these women, I’ve become involved in things I didn’t think I would.

778645_10151613319072461_726797332_o — My pledge class, 2013

My sisters fill so many roles in my life. They are friends, mentors, tutors. They are competitors, jesters, co-conspirators. They are mentees, fellow geeks, confidants, therapists, organizers, defendants, motivators, my cheer squad, and so much more.

Three years ago, I came to UBC as an eighteen year old girl – key world being girl. Everyone grows up when they go to university but I’ve been lucky enough to become a woman under the watchful and nurturing eyes of my sorority. It’s hard to believe that in about 8 months, I’ll be leaving behind the security of the friendships I’ve made. I know that who I am today has been shaped by the people I’ve been surrounded by these last few years – I’ll always have them when I need them. As I get closer and closer to graduation, I’ve never been prouder to be a sorority woman – an Alpha Gamma Delta woman.

To my best friends, my littles, my sisters reading this – I miss you all so so much and I love you even more. There’s nothing I look forward to more than finishing off my senior year surrounded by all of you.

Meet Charlie

Hi guys, meet Charlie! Or Charles – when he’s feeling particularly sophisticated. Who exactly is Charlie? Not my super foxy new Danish beau (unfortunately).

Charlie is my bike…that I bought off Danish Craigslist for ~$70. Although he’s about a hundred years old and a bit of a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree (hence the name), he’s quickly become one of my best friends here in Copenhagen.

When I arrived in the city, I quickly realized that the only way to get around was by bike. The city is completely flat and there are bike lanes on almost every street; there are even traffic lights for the bike lanes! The actual physical size of the city is quite small so biking is quite convenient and almost more efficient than most forms of public transit.

Picking up biking was actually a bit tricky for me. Back at home, I normally only ever bike for leisure; as such, I usually get on a bike, ride for a couple hours, enjoy the view, and get off. In Denmark, the constant stop-and-start while navigating traffic and aggressive local bikers makes it much more difficult than simply getting on a bike. There hasn’t been a day yet where I haven’t nearly fallen off at least once.

Another thing, there are so many rules to biking in Copenhagen! Here are some of them for anyone looking to visit:

When slowing down/stopping, put a hand straight up at a right angle.
When turning, hold your right or left hand out in the direction you are turning.
http://cycleguide.dk/2010/05/hand-signals/

Stay in the right side of the bike lane unless passing.
You must have electric lights on the front and back of your bike after the street lights turn on (they have traffic cops to check this).
No right turns on a red light.
Always lock your bike! People get their bikes stolen all the time!
Keep a steady eye out for the people riding scooters (ie. Vespas) in the bike lane – apparently this is allowed although I don’t know why.

If you follow these rules, you will have as great a time biking around Copenhagen as Charlie and I do!