... progression through unlearning

Curious enough, I have met a nice guy past Julmarknad in Östersund - and went visiting today. To Strömsund. Along forests and hills and lakes. Arrived at a town with everything neccessary there ... but somewhat it is winter and besides the supermarkets and schools everything is closed and even the tourist bureau said SORRY! . One our later after discovering the town, the exploration kept going. Mission: trying to find the coin phone automat. It turned out to be a card maschine ... one more round to buy a card ... next: the card maschine was out of work. Whatsoever, the Pizza place as well as Folkets Hus helped and finally Tim picked us up ... 200m drive ... and we went to see the culture house. It is some initiative for the diversity and rights of each individual, they organise annually a culture festival in May (if somebody needs some information: www.mangfaldsfestivalen.se ) Really strange visit, a lot of nice people, a really good pizza and a day to remember. Tack!

What can I say? Grey sky, red hair, degrees in plus range - and next week's take off. Take off where? Hmm, still, I have not decided yet, but how could I possibly do? But now, just being here there are things to do, to enjoy, to wonder about ... and keep the faith. Just had a good salade and coffee and talk at Tingshuset with Sara and Enrico. Wondering about the audience. Observing new dates to enjoy lyrics again, stories, private and intime debates, music. ;) Have had a blast in the past autumn I think there are intense days following. ... and if only the going-out would not be so expensive ... We went after past Friday's Delfinal of MusikDirekt to a nice pub, drank one Guiness and were almost 60 SEK lighter (again: only one glas!). And it just tastes so much better than 3,5% beer out of a can. ... actually, I have though a couple of times on becoming a non-drinking, non-smoking and vegetarian long-distance student. I mean, why not since we only live once. For now, the long-di...

And being alone with time, I decided to travel North. The annual Vintermarknad of Sámi people is taken place in Jokkmokk. It is historically known as gathering of Sámi families to exchange news, goodis and I guess a happening for the youth, too. Ok, going there by night train was an adventure in itself; snorring people and falling children and then, 25 degrees celsius minus and bright sunshine ... Totally lost but truly there with: - a lot of Sámi - amazing tourists - and reindeer races for them - luxery - culture and art - weather - flora and fauna (reindeer) - beart wearing men - yoiks - atmosphere - interesting lectures and discussions - delicious food (reindeer, reindeer kebab, lingonberry marmelade) - and freezing feet ... ... by then it turned to be minus 35 degrees celsius. One night in a hostel and the night train back. The World Rhythm Music Festival in Östersund went by past weekend - and as the North is always performing on high standards it has been again very wonderful wit...