The longest journey

Russian railroads are quite famous, especially the one that goes across Sibir. I didn’t travel quite that far; it takes 23 hours to travel St. Petersburg-Lipetsk, not really the longest journey at all. Although it does feel like it when all the lights go off at 22.30, making reading impossible. Apart from that, train is my favourite way of travelling. It’s like a large moving sleeping hall. The ridiculously overpriced candy wagon drives by sometimes, and there are some few opportunities to go off the train for ice cream and beer at longer stops, but otherwise it’s a quiet and monotonous ride. With no internet. Precious time to read, think and write while the landscape flows by outside the window.

Noen bilder fra toget mellom St. Petersburg og Lipetsk.

the wagon

the room

Wonderful, wonderful

Happy to be back in Amsterdam, as always. I had some problems getting back and planned to write something hateful about Eurolines, but they fixed their mistake just fine, so there isn’t really much to complain about anymore. Other than that I had to spend more than two hours in the dark and cold, without any information on the whereabouts of my bus.

Road

 

I didn’t really have many Christmas expectations this year and I didn’t count on getting anything nice – which might be why everything turned out simply fantastic. I got the two things I needed most in the world, a big purse and lots of socks! But I’m equally happy with the other presents – fifty euro, eye shadow, baby fisheye (that can’t wait to be introduced to you) and a book about Audrey Hepburn, with delightful pictures and quotes. The BBF who wrapped it in, also took the time to scribble down some lines on the opening page, and I though I’d share, because they make me happì:

Prettige Kerstdagen, mon cherie! ‘True friends are families which you can select’ is one of the smart things A. H. has said, according to this book. Word, sier jeg. – og for en fantastisk familie!!                  1000 juleklemmer

Under the christmas tree at Amsterdam Centraal 

 

I too send out 1000 Christmas hugs!

 

Ready for a bright Christmas

First of all, a big thanks to all on WordPress for being super awesome!  Well, “all” on WP didn’t actually visit my blog the last two days, but those who did are officially in my Sweetest book. No wonder I got better really fast this time, lots of water and good wishes are great for recovery! My nose might look like I’ve been polishing it with sandpaper, but I’m ready for Christmas holidays!

I’ve even packed all the presents and printed out photos to send along with postcards. Christmas, Christmas, it’s time! Just take a look at the boats in Amsterdam…

Santa is cruising the canals

Boat parade – Amsterdam Light Festival

No, not really, not like Amsterdam. Every little venture to town has been a surprise this month. Last week I happened to need to cross an overly crowded bridge, people were simply glued to the railing, waiting for a boat parade… Another day I walked into Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” while I was stumbling to the night bus at Rembrandtplein. There is also this huge egg outside of Hermitage and the fishing net that looks like red smoke in the night, and so many other wonders. I wish I had more pictures.

Just wait 😉

Traveling used to be cool

Bye bye Holland

Norway Hello

I don’t like flying all that much anymore. To fly was a small adventure when I was little, while now it’s just a lot of stress. Getting there is the best part about flight journeys; especially because I’m always slightly worried something will go wrong on the way. Luckily, I always manage to sleep on the plane, and this time was no exception – except that I kept waking up with spasms, wildly confused, sure that I was still on the train to the airport and had forgotten to go off. That was kind of horrible. People started sending me weird looks, but what can you expect on a plane from Amsterdam?