Day 2 - 15; Summary

So, I haven't been very good at keeping my blog up to speed, the last two weeks.
I haven't had much of an appetite for documentation, since I haven't had my camera, but I'm getting it today!!!
In any case, I apologize.

I've been having a wonderful time with my family:

Day 2-4: We were all down at my grandmother's beach house, celebrating Midsummer together. Tons of food and games and fun. I even played football (soccer) on the beach with my uncles and cousins. I suck at sports, but it was so much fun!
We also went to this place, a few minutes away, covered in these huge sand dunes. "It's like a dinosaur landscape!" - My 9 year old cousin, Elvin. We just ran around playing with the kids for hours.

Day 6: My mom returned to NYC. My uncle, Mårten and I changed location, from my grandma's to my grandpa's. We hung out on the beach, played cards, ate Swedish strawberries...

Day 9: We moved on from my grandfather's to my aunt and uncle's house. They live, with their 3 kids, in an big, old school house. It's really incredible. There's just so much space!

Day 11-12: Took the bus in to Malmö to meet my friend, Lovisa. We've know each other since birth, no joke. She was born in the same hospital, 18 hours, or so, after me. Our parents were old friends and were living in the same apartment building. Anyway, she just finished school, recently moved into her own apartment, and has been working like a maniac. Sunday was her only day off all week. I managed to get to her place (her apartment is adorable), we were so excited to see each other, we were babbling from the moment we were within earshot. We sat out on her balcony, chatting away, for an hour or so and then we hopped on the bus to central Malmö, getting off at Gustav Adolfs Torg. We wandered around for a bit, *fikade at Cafe Siesta, did some more walking and talking, finally ending up at Råå, the restaurant the Lovisa works at. It's one of the best restaurants in the city and we had talked about going there for dinner. The food was incredible. It's Asian-fusion, but done with so much love and grace, I did not expect to find anything like it in Sweden. But the best part was when Lovisa was forced to hop in and help out for half and hour or so, because they were in over their heads. Apparently, THE food critic from Sydsvenskan was there, for the second day in a row.
When we were finishing up our dessert, her boyfriend came with his friend and, after paying the bill, we all went to Mellan and met some of Lovisa's friends for a drink.
It was a really wonderful evening, very relaxed, and when we got back to her apartment, we still couldn't stop talking.
The next morning, after rolling Lovisa out of bed, we made it into town with just enough time for breakfast. At 10:50am, she ran around the corner to Baglady (her other job) to open by 11am. I spend the day helping her move the displays around in the store, running some errands, getting us fruit and yogurt for lunch, and wandering around town, by myself. At 6:30pm, Cat, Lovisa's mom, picked us up and took us out for an amazing sushi dinner. After finishing off with some green tea ice cream, Lovisa, her bf, and I hopped on the bus to the station, in order to make the last bus back to Hörby.

Day 13: My cousin, Sara's 6th birthday!!! We woke her up with breakfast and presents in bed and we all spend the day at home, playing and relaxing. Mathias made really yummy pizza for dinner, and there was cake, of course.

Day 14: Tosselilla with my uncle and 2 cousins. (Toselilla is a water/amusement park.) We left early, brought lunch with us, and spent the whole day there. It was a hot, sunny day, absolutely perfect for some wet fun. I'm crazy for any kind of ride and I went on just about everything.

Day 15: Today, I still have water in one ear, and I think I got whatever has been going around in my family. Felt it coming on last night, still have a sore throat. But it shouldn't be too bad. It seems like it passes pretty quickly.
But in any case, TODAY IS THE START OF MY ADVENTURE! I take the Berlin Night Express from Malmö, tonight. I have to go in to town early, so I can get my camera from Lovisa's dad, who is returning from NY today. Finally, I will be able to take and post pictures!
My friend, Julie, who I'm staying with in Berlin, is coming to meet me at the train station über early, tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck. I will be sure to tell you all about it! =)
-N