*~@ -K-R-A-T-I-K- @~*

It is claimed as a capital city of Scandinavia and I think that it deserves that name too because you can see everything you imagine of Scandinavia in this city. The city consists of many small islands connected together by bridges and ferries. From my city in Gothenburg, you can reach Stockholm easily by bus or by train. It takes 7 hours for a bus trip and 3-5 hours for the train journey, depends on the kind of train you take.

Last week, I attended the Human Rights conference there at the Stockholm conference centre. There were lots of interesting seminars to listen which really activated my brain function. Unfortunately, the entire schedule was produced in Swedish so we had a hard time searching for seminar that would be conducted in English. There were two favourite seminars. One was the seminar on “Torture” prepared by Amnesty International Sweden and the other was the film screening, “The Devil came on Horseback” is the name of the movie. It’s quite a good stunning introduction for people who are interested in the issue of “Darfur Crisis.”

Apart from the conference, I also enjoy sightseeing in Stockholm with my friends from my master class. We went to the Palace and watched the change of the guard’s shift at noon. We wandered around the old city area which is known as “Gamla stan.” While surveying Gamla stan, I found a Nobel Museum. Alfred Nobel was a Swedish great discoverer and the founder of Nobel Prize. Although this was not the first time I visited Stockholm, this city still has its own magic to attract tourists.  

The next day, I went to visit a must-see museum called the “Vasa Boat Museum.” Inside this museum, there is a 300-year-old boat wreck salvaged from the sea. This ship had sunk and lied down at the bottom of Stockholm’s gulf since 1628. I can guarantee that once you step in this museum, you will never forget the feeling of the historical moments floating in the air around you.

For the shopaholic, don’t miss to drop by the souvenir shops in Drottningsgatan where you can find cheap and chick souvenirs easily (but you have to pick the right shop). My train departed Stockholm at 8.00 pm. but my fabulous time there is still lingering in my memory.

I can’t believe that it has been almost 3 months since I have been in Sweden. There are many things happened to my life and I promise myself that I will keep only the good memories inside me. (Of course there were good and bad sides of this world but why do you have to keep some bad memories inside, JUST LET IT GO)

Luckily, that I’ve got a scholarship, otherwise I think that I can’t survive in this city which require the high living expense. Moreover, I can save some money which I cannot do that before while I was in Thailand 555. (My parents will be proud of me ;)

One of the main intentions to study in Europe is because I really want to travel in this interesting continent. During these three months, I already added many new flags on my travel map, for example Stockholm, Copenhagen, Lund and Malmo but my trip would not have been realised without help and support from my admirable Thai friends who are studying all over Europe. I really want to thank you for your hospitality. Although we have just met or not even met before, you all took very good care of me and made me feel like HOME far away from home. I really appreciated and felt that I was so lucky to spend times with you all. N’Tan, P’Doung, P’Mote, P’Tid, P’L, P’Panate, N’Big, P’Jo, and N’Phong, thanks a ton ka.

Apart from the Thai student network in Europe, I also received kindness from my foreign friends like Vijul and Jeppe who gave me a host in Stockholm and Copenhagen, respectively. Also thanks to P’Nute and her boyfriend for your support. I wish you two have a wonderful marriage and I am looking forward to see your little adorable kid when I go back to Thailand.

Now I’m studying on my last module of this semester “Globalisation and Human Rights” which is very interesting for me (but I am still not very productive on my assignment). Later I will tell you more details about my experience in Scandinavia.