Yup yup, I am currently sitting at my desk in Flogsta, Uppsala, Sweden. Actually, that reminds me. For anybody who’s interested, my new address is:

Sernandersväg 10 – 617
752 61 Uppsala
Sweden

And my mobile number is:

+46 704 050 159

I’ll probably chuck my Australian SIM in every once in a while, but don’t count on it. Internet is the best way to contact me!

Anyway, back to the interesting stuff. Flight? Flight was pretty good. I would recommend Thai Airways to anyone any time, with the only exception being that my flight from Bangkok to Stockholm didn’t have video players in the backs of the seats. The first flight did, though, and was excellent. The whole journey took almost exactly 24 hours, not including the trips to and from the airport.

As I was getting off the plane at Arlanda, I heard a guy about my age say bye and thanks and “mate”, so I figured I’d say hi to see if he was somehow in a similar situation to me.

Me: “Hey, are you Australian?”
Chris: “Nah mate, I’m a kiwi.”
Me: *slaps forehead “Oh man, sorry, I didn’t hear you speak enough.”

Thankfully he brushed it off, and turns out he’s studying in Uppsala too! In the other university though. He had also met a fellow New Zealander on the plane, Bella, who is studying in Stockholm. We hung about the airport for a couple of hours, recuperating and playing in the snow (Bella and I made snow angels; photos pending). When it was time to leave, Chris and I caught the train to Uppsala and I headed to Flogsta and Chris to his hostel.

When I was collecting my keys, I happened across Patrick, who also goes to UTS, so we hung out a fair bit and explored. Uppsala is so pretty! And so cold! Actually the cold has been a lot less severe than I thought; that was my main fear leaving home. It’s been fine, really, although it’s considerably warmer than it has been the last few weeks. I did buy a new jacket, though. It seems really nice, and was only $120! (SEK 750).

I’m a little bummed that I haven’t met many Swedes yet (just my flatmates), but I’m sure I’ll meet plenty at Uni and stuff. So far it’s mostly been Australians (there’s a lot of us!), Kiwis, an American girl and a couple of Scots. They’re very nice, but, you know, not the same. Or too much of the same.

My Swedish has got to the point where I can say hi, yes, no, thankyou, sorry, and “I don’t speak Swedish”. I feel terrible and rude, and I’ve been told Swedish classes don’t start until February. I’ll have to make do with my phrasebook for the time being, and check pronunciation with my flatmates.

Anyway, I’d better go cook some dinner. Tomorrow is a big day! I get to figure out my subjects and timetable and whatnot. Hopefully it all works out nicely.

Adjö!