Second Växjö Update!

Hello to our family and friends that we miss very much. We have finally gotten use to the time change and many of the differences here in Sweden. I have actually gotten use to using public transporation (buses and trains) to get around when the distance is just to great for pat and charlie (right and left feet). We have gotten use to the 6 hours time difference between here and home. Finally, we are getting use to the food differences. As for food, there is quite a few things that are the same with just different names. Soda is much more expensive and there is no Mt. Dew or Dr. Pepper. There is no Gatorade or Kool-aide; and the juice boxes here are 100% juice twice the size and you get 3 boxes for roughly $2.75. We like the bread and milk much better, they doesn't have all the perservatives and additives, we have to purchase fresh every 3 or so days. Would you also believe the people here don't really know what goldfish or fruit snacks are. All the meals we have had prepared for us have been really good. Mariah gets hot traditional Swedish meals everyday at lunch. She has liked most things other than potatoes but she has really never like potatoes unless they are french fries. The one thing I wish she hadn't tried that she really didn't like was blodkorve or blood sausage.

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This weekend was spent with orientation stuff. We had meetings and activities planned for us on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is 350+ students studying abroad here at Vaxjo University. These students represent 40+ countires. There are 3 of us here from NC, with me and Kira both from ECU. Go Pirates!

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This weekend we are going to the Skånes Djurpark- The Zoo of Nordic Animals. Here is a link if you would like to know more about it. http://www.skane.com/cmarter/cmarter.asp?doc=1952

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On this Saturday we are to have dinner with all the other exchange students, their fadders (buddies), Vaxjo International Student Association, and the international department. It is a traditional welcome dinner, I think.

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Well got to run. We love you and send you hugs and kisses. We miss you and can not wait to see you in December! We only have 107 days left!