It's a wedding!, Midsummer

After recovering from Studenten (which took a few days), the girls and I nstarted planning a bachelorette party for Hanna, a girl in our class who got married this Saturday. We threw a traditional Swedish bachelorette party for her. The day started off with us waking her up at 8 a.m. by pouring water over her head after we'd sneaked into her apartment then blindfolding and kidnapping her after which we drove to Sofie's house for breakfast and a challenge game for Hanna!

To start off the morning, Hanna had to eat lemons to get her first clue which told her to go swimming (fully clothed) in the lake where her next clue was floating a little ways out in the water. AFter a chilly morning dip, Hanna, newly crowned, went off to climb a tree, eat candy string with no hands, and blow up balloons until they popped with the clue inside.

The girls then proceeded to get Hanna ready for a day in town (which meant bright pink and turquoise eyeshadow, pink cheeks, a tutu, a crown complete with veil, and a "soon to be married, come and take me" shirt)!

We spent the afternoon having a picnic in the park, watching a strip tease (well not really, a friend showed off some moves as a joke!), and making Hanna walk through town and do crazy things (including walking around in a toilet paper wedding dress which we dressed her in while we were in the main square).

We finished off the day with dinner at the Chinese restaurant and then a night out in our crazy outfits. It was a great day!

On Monday, Jill (Canada), and Sarah (Australia) came to visit from Gothenburg. They stayed at my place out in the country. We went into Stockholm during the day one day, and went canoing at the lake by my place out to an island where we suntanned with all the exchangers the second day before a night of dancing.

Friday was Midsummer, the biggest Swedish holiday next to Christmas. During midsummer, a huge pole with flowers is raised and everyone dances around.

The girls all have flower crowns and many people actually wear the traditional Swedish clothing. The exchange students and my Swedish friends all joined in the festivities and danced/hopped around the pole with all the kids while singing the small frog song! haha After that we were off to a barbecue at Malin's house before I hopped on the train to Nykvarn where I spent the night at a midsummer party. At midsummer, EVERYONE is out and partying. A lot of people set up party tents and have everyone they know over to celebrate. I had a great night and was walking around wrapped in a Swedish flag : )

Saturday afternoon, Hanna got Married to her fiance in a really beautiful ceremony at a church out in the country. All the girls were there to celebrate with her. There were more than a few tears shed at the wedding. It was a special day.