Scandinavia

After nearly 13 hours on trains Brandy and I got into Copenhagen/Kobenhavn about 10:00 p.m. last night. The city was rainy and chilly, but our new Danish friend Ose (below) who sat on the train with us walked us to our hostel. We stayed at the Danhostel about 15 minutes walk from the train station. The Danhostel has over 1000 beds so it was pretty chaotic in the registration area. Let me warn all of you now: Copenhagen is expensive. The most expensive country in the EU, with 1 US dollar being worth 5,50 DKK. A martini at the Hard Rock Cafe in Copenhagen cost 129 DKK, which is about 23 bucks (Don't worry Dad, I did not have a martini). The Danhostel came out to 47 dollars, thus the reason why we refused the 11 dollar sheet rental. The beds already provide a matress pad, pillow and comforter. After settling in we walked around the city to look for dinner. We ate at this great authentic Danish restaurant called Burger King. We ate chicken salads and french fries... I highly recommend it :). We had a good nights rest and woke up this morning to explore the city more. We didn't see anything spectacular. Just restaurants, shops, bars and big buildings. Kind of resembles New York City. At noon my Swedish friend Helena from college met us near the train station to take us to her home near Malmö, Sweden. She was very patient and helpful as she carried Brandy's 35 lb ruck sack and led us from bus to bus and showed us some clothing stores in the city. Arriving at her home in Höllviken was quite relaxing. A large home with wood floors, and tons of large windows overlooking the lushly landscaped backyard just meters from the Baltic Sea. It's quite beautiful out here. We plan to be apart of Helena's 21st birthday celebration. She rented a house with 3 other girls. The theme is Jamaican and 65 friends are expected to come. I'm sure it will be fun... and Brandy will be the only brunette. Monday we plan to head to Berlin. Now Brandy and I will prepare some dinner and then crash in Helena's parents' beds. Goodnight.

How Many Trees Is A Person Worth?

Oh the pain of departure! Physical pain I refer to. I hoped the grinding in my stomach would end after takeoff. For the most part the pain ceased when the reality of my adventure welcomed itself, this occured at the Orlando airport. The 8+ hour flight did not welcome me to sleep however. I was excited to land in Amsterdam so we could make the "quick two hour commute" to L'abri, settle in, eat and SLEEP! Unfortunately what is a quick two hours became about four hours. We missed trains, waited for others, took "the scenic route" on one, didn't have Euros to catch the bus from Tiel to L'abri thus having to hike with hundreds of pounds of luggage to the nearest bank, all the while Brandy "holding it" because we couldn't find a restroom. Brandy I tried to make to most of our intro to this new country, but discomfort offered much frustration. Things changed as soon as we got on the bus to Eck en Wiel, where L'abri is found. HOLLAND IS BEAUTIFUL! Every landscape is lush and there is no obvious pollution. You know those yards in Cocoa Beach that recieve the "We Noticed: Beautification Award?" Well EVERY single lawn we have seen recieves that award. We arrived around 2:30 p.m. (8 a.m. eastern time). Beyrl, one of the live-in tutors greeted us and feed us the most randomly delicious lunch ever. Robb, another tutor, gave us our room for the night. And then we slept! Ahh!!! We awoke at 6:30 p.m. for another delicious meal. Shortly after dinner Hank, another tutor, gave a lecture over tea/coffee and dessert. His lecture entitled "How Many Trees Is A Person Worth?" enlighted us to God's creation, our oneness with it, and the elitist western world's practices of putting a pricetag on natural resources, that if were consumed by the entire world, we would all perish. He also discuss how living and working should be connected, not separated by saying "we work so we can the live the life we desire." Work and life should dance together. Work is life. Life is God. So after lecture Brandy and I took a walk, investigated the local church, saw the local Heneiken pub, pet some local ponies, and interacted with some students staying at L'abri from Las Vegas, Southern California, and Holland. We hope to set off tonight to Copenhagen tonight to meet my friend Helena from Sweden. We are well. And God is with us.

PreEurope Blunder

WHAT...?? ?

to pack. not to pack. to worry about. not to worry about. to see. not to see. to plan. not to plan.


WHEN... ? ? ??

to buy my railpass. to stop working at the pier. will Baby be born.


WHO...? ? ?

will i have to pepper spray along the way.


WHY...??????? ? ?

don't ipods stay charged forever.