Sisters and yellow snow

So I finally saw it snowing! I had to ask some friends what snowing sounded like as I wasn't sure how to define hail from snow... I was soooo excited, one of my German friends was over at the time, and thought I was retarded getting all excited. So far this December it has only snowed twice with it melting by the next day.

My first real (but wet) snow

So a little snow before Christmas made me happy. :). Here is a Christmas film made by a friend/groupmate from my software engineering class. Very funny and professional.
http://www.dragonawardnewtalent.com/en-us/filmview/tomten-santa-clause/

Left: Spicey christmas coke (out sells cocacola at xmas time), Middle: University Xmas Party, Right: Giant Xmas tree surrounding the giant-drop ride at the amusement park Liseberg.

Finally went to the Liseberg 'Christmas Markets'. Pretty lame except for the reindeer pitabread and kanel (cinnamon) chocolate.

My sister arrived for some travels. Sadly it rained for her for a whole week, and the first day the winds were so bad they had to close the bridge due to high winds, and the tunnel due to flooding. To warm up we had some yummy indian dinner at a friends house.

Awesome Indian dinner made by a guy friend, dal, aloo gobi, raita.

Also did some travelling around the city, even the sun made an appearance.

Left: What looks like an old container ship converted into a floating carpark, Right: view from Göteborgs giant wheel

After my university work finished headed up to Kiruna. 22hrs by train, but well worth the trip. We snowmobiled to and from the Icehotel. I managed to tip ours into a big pile of soft snow... luckily only egos where damaged. It was a relativley warm winter with temperatures around -2 degrees and only 30cm of snow. Being North of the Artic Circle this is amazingly warm weather for December.

All photos at Ice Hotel, except bottom right at our accommodation in Kiruna.

Fun Facts about Kiruna-

# Worlds largest underground mine (Iron Ore), going to relocate the city because of these activities.

# Approx. 1 person every year dies by driving a snowmobile onto thin ice then drowns (usually drunk, going home)

# The icehotel is made with artificial snow, due to its insulating properties and reflection of sunlight, compared to ice which is harder to mould, doesn't insulate and melts faster.

So sad to leave Sweden today, but time to see some more of Europe, then head home for the SUN!!!