Gray and Foggy Stockholm

Hej Hej! 

When the plane  broke through the clouds and I could finally see Sweden it was everything I expected--foggy and snow covered. Yet even in the dead of winter, Stockholm is a beautiful and exciting city.  Although the people are generally reserved and quiet, they are kind as I stumble through my limited Swedish phrases.  After leaving the airport with my prodigious luggage, I hopped aboard the Arlanda Express and met Marianne (the school's registrar) at the Central station in Stockholm.  She kindly took command of the smaller of my two wheeled bags and we began our subway, bus, and hike to the school.  Apparently wheeled bags are no match to the sludge and snow of Stockholm.  We reluctantly hopped the 317 bus and road a grand total of one block, which was entirely worth it.

Once we arrived at the school, Molly (the dorm manager) gave me a brief tour, during which I realized I was unable to read a single sign in the entire building.  As we walked away from the sauna I repeated to my self, "the shorter word meant 'occupied'... I think."  My room is rather small, but I already like it.  Now if only I can get the heater to work.  The room is complete with a small bed, desk, dresser, closet, and a window that looks out onto the parking lot and the adjacent street.  I even have my own small toilet, but the showers are down the hall.  Classes, faculty offices, and the library are all just across the lawn.

Only a short walk back up the road (there is no need to take the bus when I'm not dragging copious amounts of luggage) one can find the local grocery store, the subway station, a pharmacy, and a McDonald's.  What would I do without near immediate access to a McDonald's!?  After unpacking a few things I made my first trip through the snow to the grocery store.  I brought back some fruit for breakfast, chips for a snack, and of course some chocolate. As I was checking out I found myself suddenly forced to stumble through my Swedish phrase meaning "I'm sorry. I don't speak Swedish" when I couldn't understand how much monopoly money to hand the cashier.  She smiled sweetly, handed half of the kronor back to me.  I spent 100 kronor on groceries and toiletry supplies for my new room.  Luckily that is roughly equal to $20.  I was frustrated with my inability to buy groceries in Swedish, but "this too shall pass."

I am both terrified and excited about my new life here in Sweden.  Well, right now I'm mostly just cold, but I'm sure the excitement will be back tomorrow as I wake before the sun (also known as 8 am) and prepare to meet with Jenny, a student here at THS.  Hopefully she can guide me through a few pressing questions tomorrow, after I have slept off the jet lag and figured out which word means "occupied."