Sitting in the public library in Gothenburg using the internet. You can always count on finding free internet at the library.
This morning's breakfast at Allianskyrkan could be described as captivating. This meeting was a pure lecture with a few acapella songs from Jenny, but mostly she was speaking about her life and the audience was transfixed on every word.
I was able to speak with a few people both before and after the performance. I don't have the ability to write down their thoughts just now, but when I get back to Houston, I will surely do just that.
For now, I've uploaded a few pics here and two clips to Youtube from this morning's meeting.
Books and CDs for sale.
Jessi and Anja interviewing Jenny for The Jenny Source website.
Jenny listening to the remixes for The Jenny Source contest.
Thanks to Anja and her awesome driving skills, we made it back just about an hour ago. The drive went very well. Beautiful sunshine, excellent music, and good friends. Can't ask for more!
A few pictures from our trip back:
The ultimate driving song.
Jessi reading the "My Story" lyrics.
A beautiful view!
Countryside.
Keep driving this way.
Big rigs bringing in construction equipment.
Welcome home!
Just outside Liseberg.
Passing the Scandinavium.
And back to the hostel... ahh!
We're now frantically getting ready for the concert performance tonight. We've checked into the hostel and gotten situated. We're all now in the process of recharging batteries, changing out memory cards, and making sure we have everything we need.
Plus, Anna will be joining us tonight. Yea! And maybe a few more people we know. Who knows who you might meet when you go to a concert? In any case, I have about thirty more minutes before it's time to pack the car and pick up Anna for the ride to Kungälv.
Good morning! We're all awake at the hostel right now. It's time to clean up our cell and check out. After that, we'll be on our way back to Gothenburg. There won't be any updates during the road trip, but maybe I'll find an internet connection somewhere in Gothenburg or Kungälv before the concert. If not, then there will be an update tonight after the concert is over.
In about an hour, I'll be back in Gothenburg. Tonight, I'm going to another concert at Smyrna church. A singer named Maria Gustin Bergström is playing there tonight and I said to myself, if she's performing while I'm in Sweden, I have to see her play live. So, I looked up her schedule and she was in Gothenburg tonight! It was a little close between Karlstad and Gothenburg, but it worked out.
I first heard her album in a record store in Gothenburg and I have both albums she has released. I told Jakob and Jenny that I had to get back to see her perform tonight and they told me they know her and are friends with her. What a small world. It seems awesome singers hang out with other awesome singers.
After the concert at Smyrna, I'll be back at the hostel and have some time to type up a small report about Karlstad. I'll write a larger, more detailed report for jennyberggren.net. I spoke with several people both before and after the concert in Karlstad today, so I'll let you know what they thought of the concert this evening as well.
As some of you may know, I lived in Gothenburg in '98 and '99 as an exchange student. When I was here, I attended a local high school. The school I went to is called Schillerska. And I'm going to take you on a tour of my old school. Ready? The school was originally started in 1887 and was called Vasa Högre Allmänna Läroverk because it was in a part of the city called Vasastan. In 1966, the name changed to Schillerska to honor the first principal of the school whose last name was Schiller. Today, the school has about 950 students and about 75% are women.
The school is a creative place and students can choose from several programs that pertain to the arts. The school has a well-known photography program. They also have a music studio in the school itself. Other programs include the Humanities and Social Studies.
I ended up taking the Social Studies program with an optional music production course. Good fun. I don't remember a thing about music production, but the class was fun nonetheless.
I came back to see what had changed and what stayed the same. I started by talking with a few current students of the school. Listen to what they have to say about Schillerska:
Jimmy, Amelia, and Ragna study languages at the school. They agreed to chat with me for a few minutes about why they chose the school and what they think about the school. Jimmy chose the school because he had friends who were there and they enjoyed it. He also thinks it has a central location in the city.
Jimmy likes the school because you can be be yourself and you don't have to put on a front.
Ragna didn't know anyone there to begin with but she went to an open house at the school. She liked what she saw and feels like she made a good choice.
Amelia also spoke about being able to be herself at the school. She doesn't have to act like someone who she's not.
I asked another group of students to describe Schillerksa. What is Schillerska?
Ziggy said the school offers a safe place with a lot of diversity. Students can be an individual and not feel like they're going to be judged because of it. He said it doesn't matter where you're from or how much money your parents make, you'll be accepted regardless. It's more about the person and not the status of the person. Ziggy is in his last year at the school and he is satisfied with his choice. He never felt like it was a bad decision and he's very happy he chose it. He summed it up by saying Schillerska is a school for everyone.
Matilda thinks it is an open school with a diverse student body. People won't put you in a certain category there but will accept you as you are. She said there's very little bullying going on at the school and very few who feel outside. She commented on the amount of studying at the school. She thinks it's a good blend because there's not an overwhelming amount of study, yet there's not too little either. It's a good blend and you can do what you like. The teachers don't put too much pressure on you. The students who want to give their all can do so, but those who don't want to do that can also do well. Matilda summed it up by saying that it's an ambitious school for ambitious students.
Angelika talked about the people who choose Schillerska as a school they'd like to attend. She said the people who choose the school are a little different than the norm and said this is a good thing because you have a variety of people represented at the school. The school doesn't have a club atmosphere where you feel like you have to fit in to belong, unlike other schools in the area. You don't have to make a lot of money or have rich parents. Status does not have a bearing on your standing at the school.
Both groups asked me what I thought of the school and I had to agree with their assements. I went there over a decade ago, but it seems like the atmosphere is still alive and thriving at the school.
If you open a classroom door in the school, you'll find a diverse group of creative people, both students and teachers, who focus on who you are and not what you look like or what you have. The school leaders and teachers do a good job of creating a place where students can feel welcomed and safe. They've produced an atmosphere that is conducive to creativity.
And consequently, maybe this is why Schillerska has grown a reputation as "Gothenburg's Fame School". The school has produced an incredible amount of people who've become well-known for their work and accomplishments.
When I went there, the school did not emphasize nor talk about previous students and their accomplishments. I did not know of any famous people that had attended the school. It wasn't mentioned back then. The school has now created a twenty page brochure to show all the people who've studied there before and became well known later on. So, let's go in:
The doors are just as heavy as I remember them. It takes strength the size of a bear to get these doors open. Either that or I'm just a wimp. If you go here all three years, just opening the doors is enough to bring your upper arm strength to its maximum potential.
Once you finally get the doors to budge, you'll find yourself in a small room that leads to the main building. This room has two staircases leading up to the school and has murals on the sides of the walls. This room was renovated in 1996 to its original condition.
The principal's office is on the right hand side. On the left hand side, you'll find classrooms and my old locker. It didn't have a lock on it, so I was able to open it. And guess what's still there?
The tape debris from the poster I hung up in my locker. It was a poster of Ace of Base in Tuff Studio.
If you walk further down the hallway, you'll run into a few classrooms: Each floor has essentially the same layout with a winding staircase in the middle of the building and classrooms on either side of the stairs.
Again, if you go there all three years, you'll have well toned leg muscles from running up and down the stairs each day. The library and main meeting room is on the second floor. The main meeting room is called the "aula" and it is a gorgeously decorated room. That's where many teachers would give exams and general gatherings would happen. It wasn't open yesterday to take any pics of it.
The library was open, however:
There was also a display outside the library of works from former students. Check it out:
Yep, Malin and Jenny Berggren went to this school.
And Emrik Larsson and Magnus Rosen went there too. Would that make Arose the ultimate Schillerska band?
And if you go to the main office and ask for the yearbooks from the years Malin and Jenny Berggren went to the school, you won't find them. They're all gone. They disappeared from the collection years ago, they tell me. That's why you can only look at old yearbooks in the office. Check out some more random pics from the school:
So, that's the tour of Schillerska. Hope you enjoyed taking a tour of the school.
I can tell I need to exercise more because I have become well acquainted with every muscle in my body during the past few days. They are all telling me, "I'm here!"
I don't really get out and walk much in Texas (partly because it's just too hot), but in Gothenburg it's really easy to get around by walking. I can basically walk from one side of the city to the other and it's not a problem - until I get up the next morning. That's when the "ow, ow, ow" syndrome takes over for about the first 10 minutes of each day. But hey, it's a start to getting more exercise, now isn't it?
Karin moved to the city ten years ago. She thinks living here feels like living in a small city. She says it's easy to get to the city center. She also likes the fact that the city is broken up into different sections. She likes the section she lives in, which is called Majorna. She says it feels like a little town where you know your neighbors and the people living around you. She also thinks Gothenburg is a very cultural city. There are many new young artists with many clubs that will give them a chance. She mentioned that Gothenburg is very good at promoting their up and coming musical acts and musical projects. When asked about the best artists from the city, she thinks Soundtrack of our Lives and Håkan Hellström are two of the most well-known acts from the city. She also said that there is a living music scene here. There are a lot of small underground bands in different genres with clubs that support each genre. When asked the worst thing about the city, Karin said she sees less opportunities for people to get help when they need it. She thinks it's probably happening in many places around the country, not just Gothenburg.
Anders has been living here for about ten years. He likes the city a lot says it's a fun place and beautiful as well. He enjoys music and the record store and thinks there are a lot of good clubs and concerts to attend. Gothenburg is a good city to be in when you're interested in music because there are so many places to go and many bands to listen to, he says. His favorite GBG band is called The Embassy. When I asked about the negative parts of the city, he had a difficult time coming up with one, but he finally settled on the difficulty of finding an affordable place to live. If he described the city to someone who has never been here, he would say it's a little city and a beautiful city that's near to the sea. It's a maritime city with everything a city needs in easy reach.
Liv was standing in front of Domkyrkan and handing out information about ecological and environmentally friendly foods. She has lived in the city for about five years. She thinks the city is just the right size. It's not like Stockholm where you're more anonymous. It's easy to get around with a bike as well. Even if it's not a pretty big city, there is always something happening, so it feels like living in a big city. She likes the assortment of ecological and environmentally friendly products available in town. She would describe Gothenburg as a place at the city with a lot of industry. It used to be a workers town but not as much anymore, yet it still has the laid back feel. She thinks it's fantastic to go to the islands in the Summer, while in the winter it's gray and wet. But sometimes, it snows and when that happens, everyone goes out and is happy. She thinks the people who live here are very fine people, although there are some issues with segregation. She lives in a place with many people from all over the world and thinks diversity is a good thing. But she feels there is a separation in society between immigrants and others. She thinks it would be better if the city was more balanced with everyone living together instead of apart. If someone wanted some tips on what they should do, Liv recommends the museums, the sea, and a visit to the Botantical Gardens.
Birgitta and Marie were walking through Vasastan when I asked them a few questions. Birgitta would say the city is big but with a small town feel. Marie agreed with this assessment. Birgitta would recommend a visit to Slottsskogen, while Marie would recommend Kungsgatan and Nordstan for shopping. She also revealed that many people miss Vasastan, Haga and Linnestan because they focus on Avenyn instead. But she thinks people should try the other places because they have better cafes and restaurants than the main street. Liseberg is also a must for visitors. Birgitta isn't fond of the traffic in the city and Marie agrees. They think there are a lot of cars and bikes that drive quite fast.
I also met Håkan in Vasastan as he was walking his bike up the street. Like many others, he also felt Gothenburg has a small city feel. The best part is the location next to the sea. Håkan would recommend a visit to Universeum. His least favorite part of the city are some parts of the city that were hastily built with little foresight in the early 80s, and as a result they didn't reach their full potential.
Lars was another guy I caught up with while walking in Vasastan. He uses the word "lagom" to describe the city. It's a special word in Swedish that roughly means just right. He also mentioned that the city was very cosy with all the cafes and restaurants. If someone was looking for something to do, he would mention a museum, like the art museum and he can recommend Pusterviksteatern near Järntorget for anyone who is looking for good music. Lars has just traveled back to Gothenburg after being abroad. He believes the city is a dynamic place that changes, but still feels like Gothenburg after three years away.
I spoke with several students at Schillerska high school about the city and the school. I first met Jimmy, Amelia, Ragna and Clara near a park bench in the parking lot. They provided me with these thoughts on Gothenburg:
Jimmy said there isn't a stressful feeling like you'd find in bigger cities. It's like a big city but without the stress. Canals also pop up in his mind when he thinks about the city. Amelia thinks the city is laid back. It's a cosy city and she likes the Christmas celebrations at Liseberg. Ragna thinks the size of the city is a positive thing. She says you know someone and they known someone else, so you end up knowing a lot of people in your own age group that way. Clara also agreed that the Christmas celebrations at Liseberg cannot be missed.
The second set of students at Schillerska provided their perspective on the city:
Ziggy mentioned the small feel of the city. He likes the mix of people you'll find here. He said it's not like Stockholm because it's a little more laid back and a cosy city. He also enjoys the fact that the city doesn't look all the same. There are different sections in the city that provides some variation. He enjoys the geographical proximity to the sea. Mathilda also says it's a little city that isn't so big. She thinks the residents of Gothenburg have always been open for new people. Rebecka agreed with her classmates on their summation of the city.
Thank you to everyone who stopped and answered my questions about the beautiful city of Gothenburg! If I talked to you today and you read something that isn't quite correct, or if I happened to misspell your name, let me know. I will be happy to revise anything that isn't correct. Once again, thank you for taking the time to describe Gothenburg for everyone reading this blog!
Night has fallen over the city and it is a blissful silence. I'll see a delivery truck or a taxi pass by my window about every half hour, but nothing else. It is a mighty contrast to the daytime.
Today, I grabbed a few people off the street and asked them a little bit about their hometown. Tomorrow, I'll grab several more unsuspecting Swedes and tell you what people are saying about the city. Until then, here's a slideshow created from pictures taken today:
In Gothenburg, the area around Nordstan is always bustling with activity. You have people walking in six or seven different directions. You also have people on bicycles and mopeds. Don't forget the cars and the buses. Oh, and trams too. The formula creates a fair bit of chaos, which Anna compares to Frogger. I found out how fitting her comparison was today.
I had just gotten off the bus at the Central Station and thought it would be nice to walk to the hostel. It's a fair walk, but I wanted to get more of a feel of Gothenburg. I was able to do a little bit of that with Anna on Saturday after the concert at Lindome. We walked around town and she showed me some of the old stomping grounds. I still felt like I needed a little bit more walking time to get a true sense of the city again.
So I ventured out once more with my backpack and my luggage clicking on the cobblestone streets. I worked my way around the masses of people with their kids, their bags, and their pets. I was feeling pretty good about my dodging skills at that point.
I was headed toward Domkyrkan because it's where I go first when I get to Gothenburg. To get to the church, I had to cross a piece of the main thoroughfare, the Avenue (aka Avenyn).
I watched for the cars, the taxis, the buses. I watched out for the people and their pets and their bags and their kids and their strollers. I was feeling pretty good at this point. But there was one thing I neglected.
The trams.
I had cleared the left hand side of the road and was proceeding through to the middle island. A bus came up the right side, so I stopped in my tracks because I thought the bus driver was going to keep driving. My mistake.
I looked up just in time to see this monster of a machine bearing down on me. It was a beautiful blue and white two ton hunk of electric metal staring me in the face. Tram #421 for anyone wondering. I'll remember that number for a very long time. I'm just glad the number is seared into my memory and not on my face.
It's not the first time I've almost been run over here. Last time, it was 1999. I was getting off a tram and stepping onto a street, which I thought was pedestrian only, when a taxi nearly clipped me. I didn't hear the taxi in time because I was listening to The Bridge on my CD player. I, and my right leg, remember that incident well.
The tram looked a little bit like this, except just about a foot away:
But I'm here in Gothenburg. And still in one piece. Can't beat it.
The rest of my walk gave me so many things to write about, I don't know where to begin. The flavor and the charm of Gothenburg are an unbeatable combo. I'll leave that for some other posts, as there is just so much that makes Gothenburg unique. I could spend two weeks writing about the things I see here. We'll get into some of those things with time.
For now, I'm hungry. That means it's time to act like a local and go grocery shopping.
This morning's breakfast at Allianskyrkan could be described as captivating. This meeting was a pure lecture with a few acapella songs from Jenny, but mostly she was speaking about her life and the audience was transfixed on every word.
This morning's breakfast at Allianskyrkan could be described as captivating. This meeting was a pure lecture with a few acapella songs from Jenny, but mostly she was speaking about her life and the audience was transfixed on every word.
