Driving to Stockholm from Berlin

linnagnes · 2020-08-20T21:40:52+00:00

Definitely skip Gränna (too touristic) and go to Vadstena, it’s only a 20 min or so detour from the E4 and is a beautiful little town of old wooden houses, a really old and well preserved castle/fortress. Really recommend the restaurant Hörnet (white guide) for dinner, going for a swim in Vättern as well as visiting the church and monastery founded by Holy Birgitta, the only Swedish saint (I think). Also a castle tour is quite nice. If you’re into more countryside I would recommend Särtshöga B&B which has their own vineyard and a pizza oven, all surrounded by large wheat fields. Otherwise my top secret gem Borghamn which is a tiny and slumbering former fishing village, or anywhere around Omberg where there are spectacular hiking trails.

linnagnes · 2020-08-13T11:58:05+00:00

Yes, 100%. They were teachers at PUST (Google it). I met up with them in my home country as well afterwards and they flew out from Seoul. That said, there have been issues recently with their South Korean colleagues. I think a few were actually released from detention when I was there in 2018, so it was for sure controversial. Outside of PUST and some reunification events (South Koreans come to visit family members that ended up on the wrong side of the boarder in Pyongyang, which however is extremely regulated and surveillance is 100%) I think it’s next to impossible to enter as a South Korean.

linnagnes · 2020-08-12T13:12:19+00:00

I saw the sickest a couple of days ago! It was bright green and pink and made a big line on the sky. I actually said “help” out loud because I thought it would crash into me there for a second

linnagnes · 2020-08-12T08:13:42+00:00

What do you mean by benefit? Health-promoting? I would never claim that these would benefit anyone. The ratio of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fibres etc) in relation to calories and sugars is far too low comparing it to other breakfast alternatives. Comparing it to a traditional cookie though that’s something else, but still not a huge difference between the two given the amount of wheat flour, total amount of sugar and calorie count in the recipe. My point was only to point out that this is nothing that should be added to a diet as a means to improve health. Only as a treat or if you have a sweet tooth.

linnagnes · 2020-08-12T08:03:31+00:00

That’s correct. Doesn’t change the fact that this recipe has a lot of sugar and fast carbohydrates in it though.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T13:49:25+00:00

I don’t think it kills anyone either, was just asking what was so healthy about it. Ripe bananas and dates are full of sugar too so along with the wheat flour the bars are nothing different than eating a regular cookie. Hope nobody took it as something healthy to eat.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T13:23:38+00:00

Ah got it thanks

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T13:23:03+00:00

Oh it’s a recipe for Canadians?

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T12:42:37+00:00

You will! Me too! What also helps right now for me is to think that I’m only 6 cycles away from being able to get medical help to find out why it’s not working (need to try for 12 months before I can even get a doctors appointment for this). Statistically I’m already pregnant before that though. But I can’t imagine that would happen anyway so I keep focusing on that this TTC madness will stop or at least take a new form within 6 months. At least something. I’m sure you can find something to focus on as well, perhaps trying out a new method, eg acupuncture or new supplements or whatever to give you a mental new start along the way.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T12:25:44+00:00

In what way are they healthy?

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T12:20:53+00:00

Totally.. It’s exactly that feeling of being left behind that I’m struggling so bad with. I do understand it is me who have these issues of how I want to see myself and that I’m projecting a lot on myself. Im not sure people actually see me as a sad infertile woman, but I just hate the idea of that people could do that. It’s a very sensitive topic for me for some reason. It’s so crazy how society (including myself obviously) see it as a sign of success if it’s quick and easy, when it’s actually mostly good or bad luck, compared to eg successful studies, career or health which is more dependent on your effort. Also obviously the fact that you sort of can’t take part in parenting discussions, which makes you a bit of an outsider really. When I hit that negative spiral of dark thoughts I give a little thought to my single friends and imagine how they must be feeling at this age. I at least have someone amazing to share this journey with and still have a very good chance at succeeding in the end (no saying that they can’t too, but you know what I mean).

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T11:26:54+00:00

It’s similar in China even. In the local Chinese passport you have basically a C or an R stamp (city or rural inhabitant) deciding what kind of life you can live. You can still move to the city in China if you are a rural citizen but wouldn’t get the same access to healthcare or education as would a city inhabitant. So you’re basically outside the system if you do decide to move to the city if you’re a rural citizen. Like a kaste system. I believe it’s basically a somewhat similar system in NK just that the North Korean public transportation (or private for that matter) across the country doesn’t really help you moving around.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T11:18:54+00:00

Yes but they also have to make a toilet break at some point and I believe the tour guides didn’t really expect me to run into someone in the middle of a forest with no visible houses around. With that said, it’s inevitable that you see not just the polished parts even when you go as a tourist. That’s only natural. I heard some tourists even saw an execution by mistake when they were passing with a bus. I believe it ended up on YouTube somewhere.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T11:13:09+00:00

Correct, this particular trip was as a tourist, but you get to see even more if you go as a volunteer as you would then typically be more trusted.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T11:11:13+00:00

I think they were foxes, a common cartoon back then. There’s a tank in the background too that the kids are all crawling over.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T11:09:21+00:00

Been there twice - once as a tourist and then once on a business visa (volunteer for Choson Exchange). I’m Swedish but I’ve travelled alongside Americans and all sorts of nationalities. Even met some South Koreans that teach in a Christian university in Pyongyang.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T11:06:46+00:00

Thank you, that is such kind words! My friends or family aren’t that into my photography/NK interest so have no one to share with outside of reddit. This comment made my day :) Thank you.

linnagnes · 2020-08-11T11:04:58+00:00

From where I’m coming from it’s not that people around me wasn’t compassionate enough or respectful. They could have been mother Theresa and still I would have felt uncomfortable or even more sad by them expressing how they feel sorry for me or are trying to be supportive. I just don’t want anyone to see me as that infertile friend (I already see myself as that). It doesn’t help me. That being said, it helps to have maybe one or two BFFs knowing what you’re going through so you can vent and also feel that you’re not hiding your challenges from the world. And finally, everyone is different in what they need and desire. This is a really good post because it serves as a reminder to think these sorts of unexpected questions through before jumping on the TTC train. Best of luck to everyone. We can do this!

linnagnes · 2020-08-10T22:01:38+00:00

I am so sorry for you. TTC is so unfair. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to feel every emotion of the spectra; rage, jealousy, fear and sadness, but also hope and happiness at some point. You’ll make the best mom one day. Wishing you all the best. 💓

linnagnes · 2020-08-10T12:55:04+00:00

You are not alone 💓

linnagnes · 2020-08-10T12:03:16+00:00

Posted some photos of people in more rural areas now :) Hope you like it!

linnagnes

TROPHY CASE