Sweden

A 54-day adventure by Jesse Read more

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Trip start
March 21, 2023
Sweden Traveler
Morning at hotel
March 21, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ☀️ -1 °C
I've just woken up from my first sleep in Sweden. After 3 flights and around 5hrs of driving yesterday, I was finally able to find an old hotel in Härnosänd. I'm headed down to eat some breakfast and then another 10-11hrs of driving until I make it to my first Airbnb!Read more
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Sweden Traveler
Arrival
March 21, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ 🌙 -10 °C
After ~11hrs of driving I've made it to the Airbnb. I saw 2 reindeer on my way here and got my first taste of the northern lights tonight! My hosts are very friendly and have provided lots of equipment to use on my adventures. I'm going to get some food and relax before taking a long rest, oofRead more
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Sweden Traveler
A beautiful day
March 23, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ 🌙 -21 °C
Today I took the skis out for the first time. Found a nice groomed trail that connects to this neighborhood. The sun here is different, almost white. And the blue of the sky fades to a white hew on the horizon. Such an interesting feeling being this far north. Tonight the lights were out and spanning the whole sky, mesmerizing. However it was hard to stay outside long as the temp was ~ -18F. Lots of strange noises outside when it is this cold many of which come from the trees I think.Read more
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Sauna
March 24, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ -16 °C
I did my work this morning and then went to get groceries at the store near the Finland border. This evening I started up the sauna for the first time. It was very intense especially when pouring water on the rocks. I took a short break from the warmth to roll around in the snow. The stars and the northern lights made me feel awe yet again.Read more
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Sweden Traveler
Stillness
March 25, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ 🌙 -18 °C
My mind has been wandering on and off all day about how I should be spending my time here. Should I be pushing my self to experience everything I can while I'm here? Or treat it more like a vacation with opportunity for adventure? I think the reason I came out here is just for the stillness, the quiet, to take a deep breath.Read more
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Where 3 countries meet
March 26, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ 🌙 -21 °C
This morning I drove into Finland and did a long cross country trail to the point where Sweden Finland and Norway all meet. It was about 6 hours of skiing. Less peaceful since there were more people around, but I'm happy I did it. The 3 hour journey back to the car was hard since I ran out of water and it was starting to get into the negatives (F), but I made it :)Read more
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Recovery
March 27, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ 🌙 -18 °C
Today was a recovery day from the long day of skiing yesterday. I woke up and meditated in the sun to start the day. I started work early so I could have a sauna to ight which I did. Saunas are very nice.Read more
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Sweden Traveler
True silence
March 28, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ -19 °C
I spent a lot of time sitting listening to silence today.
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Sweden Traveler
First snow
March 29, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ 🌫 -9 °C
I'm feeling mostly recovered from my skiing adventure this weekend. Today's our first day with snow and clouds. I took a short walk in the forest and took some video of the snow and trees.
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Sweden Traveler
Chores
March 31, 2023 in Sweden
Mostly did chores today. After I got ready and was heading out to the store I realized the road outside my Airbnb was completely overrun by drifts and I wouldn't be able to make it out. Thankfully Robert came by soon after and cleared a path for me. Lots of wind the last few days. Right now my clothes are hanging to dry in the sauna and I just tied a shirt.Read more
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Sweden Traveler
Day 1 Jhana practice
April 1, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ -8 °C
I started going through rob burbeas jhana retreat lectures today. The techniques and mindset for his jhana practice is very interesting. I have just done energy body breathing today and got to some high energy states that I'm excited about!Read more
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Sweden Traveler
Jhana practice day 2
April 2, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ -11 °C
Today was my second day of jhana practice. Unsurprisingly I did not make it to the first jhana, but I am getting the hang of piti. I had some experiences that made it feel like I was getting close. I am excited to continue practicing in daily life :)Read more
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Warming
April 4, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ -3 °C
Still doing jhana work mainly with keeping the heart and energy body open. Went for a hike in deep snow today and captured some pictures and videos. Hundreds of pounds of snow slid off the roof today as the temps increase.Read more
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Blown away
April 5, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ -2 °C
My neck hurts. The northern lights were completely stunning tonight. None of the other nights compare to how magical tonight is. It's warm outside with a full moon. I went out to enjoy the moon and atmosphere then all of a sudden a huge wave of reds and greens lit up the sky. I'm in awe.Read more
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Sweden Traveler
Morning ski
April 7, 2023 in Sweden
Went on the cross country ski trail off the neighborhood road this morning. It was icey so I was definitely able to get going in a few spots. Just relaxed tonight. Getting ready to transition to a new air bnb!Read more
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Arrival in Norway!
April 8, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌫 0 °C
I left Sweden around 8 this morning and made it to my second Airbnb around 6. The drive was stunning! Towering mountains with peaks hidden by clouds, huge basins of dark open water pierced by black slated mountains, bright blue waters lapping at moss covered shores. Truly too much to absorb. My hosts are exceptionally friendly. They immediately offered me into their home for smoked moose and beer (I actually drank some of the beer and enjoyed). They told me all about the equipment they offer and many tips about hiking and the area. I didn't make it to the grocery store before it closed and it is closed for the next 2 days for Easter! My hosts gave me a bit of this and that to get by 🙏. There is no running water or vent heating here, I am so excited for this adventure though!Read more
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Mountain expedition on Easter
April 9, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌙 -1 °C
This morning I woke up and had coffee with my hosts. They showed me the route for my hike and gave me the gear I needed. My pack weighed around 30lb. I started with skis, but the conditions were not good for it and I was not comfortable so I quickly switched to snow shoes. The climb was steep and unmarked. I had many moments of thinking "this is insane" as I did not always feel safe. Eventually I made it to the first crest of the mountain. Stepping over the edge I was blasted by strong winds that made it difficult to hear myself think. I felt like I was on a Mt. Everest expedition, insane. By this time my phone along with my guidance had died. I continued to climb. Peak after peak. I could see the summit, but it was getting late and I was spent so I did not make it to the very top. I stopped broke keto and had some lentils and sugar water to re fuel. At the top I saw 2 people who had successfully skiied up going down. By the time I made it to my car I only had an hour or 2 left of light. The whole thing took about 10 hrs. When I got back my hosts had finished their Easter celebration and gave me all their leftovers of lamb and brussel sprouts. I ate almost all of it. I called the family and checked in on their celebration before going to bed.Read more
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Recovery
April 10, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌙 0 °C
Today was a day of recovery. I had some breakfast and relaxed in the cabin this morning before heading to the store. There was only a small section of the store open since most stores were closed for holiday today, but I was able to get some things. I'll get more tomorrow. I also spent some time walking along the shore in Fauske. It was very peaceful and beautiful. There were many people out enjoying the sun light breeze. It is an interesting feeling being by salt water in a colder setting. It has similarities to the feelings I experience being by the water in Florida, but different. It was very renewing.Read more
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Malstorm
April 11, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
Today I went fishing at the largest Malstorm in the world! When I arrived it was too windy to fish so I waited awhile for it to calm down. After about an hour, I grabbed my gear and headed out. After casting for awhile I decided to change lures at which point I realized I needed new line because the line snapped when I tied it. I returned to the car and put new line on and a spoon. I casted in a few areas l, but nothing. It was an awesome place to spend the day, I still had a lot of fun, but no fish.Read more
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Lush forests
April 12, 2023 in Norway
Today I went down to the park that Liala works at. I started with the short trail which ended up taking me over 4 hours because of how enchanting it was. Lush green under brush, moss, and trickling streams combined to sweep me off to a fairyland aesthetic that I fell in love with. All along my walk I was picking and eating berries that I assume had just thawed from being frozen all winter. After many hours I faced timed my mom to share some of the area with her. After hanging up I walked down part of a ravine following a large, partially frozen river backed by towering black cliffs. I couldn't help but feel like a Nord living in nature. I did not hit all the trails, I will come back before I leave.Read more
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2nd mountain
April 13, 2023 in Norway ⋅ 🌙 1 °C
Today I hiked up the mountain behind the cabin. Before heading out I stopped by the house and talked to Gøran for awhile about his travels and woke culture haha. He told me it would be very windy, but I decided to go anyways. I used snowshoes and a lighter backpack than last time. It was much easier for me than the last mountain was. I saw some reindeer tracks on the way up, but no wildlife. However, when I got back Gøran said that 2 king hawks had been circling over my head for awhile, too bad I missed them. At the top of the mountain the wind was brutal. Possibly the strongest consistent wind I have experienced. I was not able to take many pictures because my hands got cold so fast out of gloves, but the view was very expansive. The hike took me about 6.5hrs.Read more
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Friday dinner
April 14, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
At 6 o'clock I went to the house for a shower and dinner! I had a swedish beer and talked with Lila and Gøran about meditation. They seemed interested. Lila had done a yoga retreat before that helped her relate. We also got on the topic of drugs and Gøran told stories of his experiences after graduating high school. Soon after the "red neck" neighbor (gnar?) came by. He was missing teeth, but that didn't keep him from laughing and smiling. We had moose steak with vegetables and home grown potatoes cooled in Swedish fashion. We then bad some wine and a cloud berry and cream dessert! Everything was delicious especially the dessert, it was extremely unique. And we finished the evening with some Irish coffee. It was very good, but I could not drink too much of it else I would be up all night. Our conversations ranged between travel (thialand), to history of the valley, to mental health, to the ethicality of zoos, and even Trump. It was a great evening!Read more
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Big mountain summit
April 15, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Today I woke up and decided to attempt the big mountain again. I snow shoed straight from the house. I decided to listen to music this time which gave rise to many different aesthetics as I went. There was almost no wind this time and the grouse were flying around making their gutteral sounds. There were some scary and uncomfortable moments when I found myself going sideways on very steep ground, but after about 5.5 hrs I reached the top! The panoramic view was stunning! To speed up my decent I would sit on the back of one of my snow shoes lift the spikes and slide down. It saved me quite a bit of time. By the time I made it back I had been gone for about 9.5hrs. Lila said I was the first guest to make it to the top with just snow shoes. My body is pretty beat up. I think I will have a recovery day tomorrow.Read more
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Recovery 2
April 16, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
I needed another day off after my long hike. I spent most of my time watching YouTube. My brain feels like mush haha, but that's okay for a recovery day, right?
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Sweden Traveler
Back to the park
April 17, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Today I went back to the park Lila works at. I tried to find the waterfalls but was unsuccessful. It was a nice hike though. I was a little stuck in my head throughout thinking about what I want to do when I get back; where should I go? Tie dye as a career? Sticking with Carfax? Going back to my friends in Colorado? Eventually I tried to drop it and enjoy the walk, but things kept popping up. I realized I was doing a lot of unconscious clutching and clinging and tried to release that. Then a thought arose, "but if I drop all of that (clutching, clinging, and excitement chasing) what will be left?" A scary thought, but it deepened my understanding of what you must pet drop away to become liberated. Choosing peace and fulfillment over entertainment and excitement is not as easy as it sounds.Read more
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