Sweden

Favorite quotes:



"Hurr morr du?" -John, Jeron and Par



"J-Rod came out last night." -All of Stockholm





"There were no hot girls at that party, anyway." -Daniel, upon leaving a party were there were only hot girls

• We got to Stockholm and Daniel picked us up at the airport. After some rest and grocery shopping (more difficult than it sounds), we all put on Patrik's tight Swedish clothes and headed out. We went to a dinner place that served only beef, potatoes and beer. Then, we swung by Daniel's, hit a nice outdoor bar in a park, then went to a great bar that I can't pronounce, much less spell. Then, Laroy's, followed by a stint at White Room, and to a late night dance place. We were all freaked out that it never gets totally dark - just gets dusky and then bright again. That means time for bed.



• We set out the next day for a big day on the town, but ended up spending the day with Michael and friends in a park by the water. The Stockholm Marathon was on, so we cheered on the runners. We went to some house parties, including one in an amazing apartment formerly owned by a Nobel Prize winner (now by his family). Then we went to White Room again until well after the sun came up. Crazy night!


• I'm going to miss this city. People are unbelievably friendly. It is pretty and serene during the day and tons of fun at night. The city and the transportation systems seem to be integrated with the land and water here. We ate outside on the water with Patrik and his girlfriend Helena tonight. So good.


• I bought tight, tapered jeans. I'm ready to stay.
• Patrik and Daniel were the greatest hosts ever. They are always welcome to come eat traditional American food, stink up my apartment and wear my "American" clothes.

More pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/johnmbchapman/Sweden

Switzerland!

Favorite quotes:
“Also known as clockwise.” -Par, in response to Blaire’s comment on his dealing
“Ok, guys! Checking in, alright.” -Swistopher Walken aka Trey
“Were you born in Merskey Flugen? What is that, 200m away? 300. You are the coolest Americans I’ve ever met.” -The Swiss bullshitter
“Do you guys hate Legos?” -Anti-capitalism girl
“Why don’t you add up those drinks on your watch?” -Par, to “Dakota”
“I would hit on her, but that guy is totally awesome.” -Jeron
• We got into Interlaken last night (May 24) and partied at the hostel. It's beautiful here, up in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by snow capped mountains.


• Today, we woke up early and went canyoning. Jumping off of rocks, sliding down waterfalls and hiking over bolders was such an adrenaline rush!


• After lunch, we parasailed which was like nothing I have ever done before. More adrenaline!
• May 27, we took a gondola up on the mountain to a small town called Gimmelwald. It was super chill with an amazing view. We hiked up to a glacier and spent an hour exploring an area where huge waterfalls litterally sprang up before your eyes.
• The next day, we hiked all over the mountains for around 7 hours and ate a huge pasta dinner at night.
• We're now in Geneva for a day, heading to Stockholm tomorrow!

Pictures from Switzerland at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/johnmbchapman/Switzerland

Vernazza, Cinque Terra, Italy

May 19-24, 2008

Favorite quotes:
“I’ll kill anyone in this town” -Tapan
“What’s your fighting style?” -Tapan
“The button works both ways” -Kyle, Californian guy referred to as Canadian
“Two of those are for me, right?” -Kyle
“Espresso!” -Stefano
“Par, you are the greatest rock skipper of all time.” -Jeron

We did tons of rock sitting, bench sitting, and chair sitting, all in the name of killing time. The highlights were just hanging out with all of Katie and Jordan’s friends and family, who all got to know each other very quickly. It was fun to see the guys we met earlier this year at the bachelor party. We did a second, much tamer, guys night out in Riamaggore.

The wedding, on top of a castle in Vernazza, was beautiful. The post wedding dinner was a three hour event with a full Italian meal, which Katie’s father compared to one of his old Sicilian family get-togethers.

We did the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso one day and went swimming the next day. However, most of our exercise came from hiking up the 100 or so stairs that it took to get to our 3-bed dorm room.

Par partended at three different bars, culminating at the Blue Marlin, favorite hangout of the week.

Pictures at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/johnmbchapman/ItalyCinqueTerra