Goteborg, Sweden

The train ride from Copenhagen to Goteborg was fantastic. I didn't want it to end. Once it did I made my way to the hostel I had reserved a bed at. The hostel was highly recommended in my guide book and it didn't disappoint. This hostel was great, definitely better than either of the ones in Copenhagen. Thursday (15 June) afternoon after checking in, I went to explore the large park behind the hostel. The park was excellent. Lots of peopele there (although not as many as the parks in London or Copenhagen) and some great little trails through the forest and hills the park encompasses. There was a great lookout from atop one of the hills. Atop another hill in the park was a zoo, which was very depressing but I still walked through it all.

That evening I met some people while hanging out in the TV room. It was a good group of interesting people. I started watching the World Cup games (soccer) because that is all anyone watches over here right now and its a way to 'bond', I guess. It was a fine evening. The next day, Friday (16 June), one of the guys from the night before asked if he could tag along with me for the day. I thought the guy was a little annoying but couldn't figure out a way to say no. I thought I would just try to shake him by walking fairly far. Unfortunately he kept up with me most of the day. I did feel hindered and a bit annoyed but oh well. Friday evening was also good for meeting people at the hostel.

Saturday (17 June) I didn't really have any plans as I woke up. I was checking my email that morning and started talking to an Aussie girl (Belinda) I had met the night before. She told me that the Volvo Ocean Race was finishing that day in Goteborg and she was going to that. I decided to tag along since it sounded pretty cool. The Volvo Ocean Race is an around-the-world sail boat race that takes several months to complete. Its the biggest sailboat race in the world and only happens every 4 years. So I couldn't pass on a chance like that so see the finish and all the events surrounding it. So we spent the day walking around the race village and then had great seats on a dock right at the finish line. I've never seen so many boats before. It was fun day. That evening was more world cup watching and chatting with other travelers in the hostel.

Goteborg had been great and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, but it was time to move on as for some reason I was feeling pressured to get 'deeper' into my trip. So Sunday (18 June) morning I caught the train to Stockholm.