Forward

I handed over the keys (actually left them secured in Lotta's box) early November 1st, with one last look, I stepped out of the apartment door for the last time, walked down the path for the last last time and looked back down Ulvsundavägen for the last time. Home exchanging has been such a process for me. Both literally and figuratively. Ironically, it feels like I'm leaving and forgetting all these parts of me (where I'd make trips back and forth to clear it all out and erase all traces) and being able to in less than an hour, pack up and go forward. What feels like a myth will take many days of processing: it's almost like something that never was, but will always be happening.

The apartment saw me live, fade, and come back to life again.

And even though there was never a person to "come home to" in this apartment, I celebrated everything and everyone I love in this space in one way or another. Even if was just writing their name on a piece of paper or sending them a secret wish for Real Love right before I fell asleep at bedtime.

And even though the apartment was not mine or decorated with my taste, some things about it exuded my personality, by accident. For example, there were flaws in the apartment.

I walked out that door, slightly wistful, but also so relieved. I am ready to put my energy somewhere else now. I'm so excited to get to start a new chapter in Prescott hopefully working with horses in my favorite southwest setting that is a traditional ranch. Or I am thinking of homesteading by turning my entire property into a functional gardening space.

Life is not what I thought it would be. But it's hard and good. Bitter and sweet. And I'm not looking back. I'm not going that way :-)

Love, Sharon

Black and White | Glimpses from Sweden

I hope you have enjoyed your week. Here are 4 pics I would like to share, as I've been experimenting with making good black and whites lately. See you next week!

Love, Sharon

Flowers in Cyanotype Blues | Sweden

As fall and winter are coming closer and yesterday was a prime example, I popped into the Swedish Museum of Photography, also known as Fotografiska. These 5 photo manipulations were inspired from this visit and a very special love in my heart for the color blue, from cyan to cobalt to everything in between. All of these images were captured at some point while I was "roaming the earth." And besides, it's easier to be a Swede when your own soul is blue too...

Love, Sharon

Duck Wisdom

When a regal duck greeted me with enthusiasm at the beach today, I got the sense she was there to remind me of two opposing characteristics I naturally have: predator and prey. Our time together reminded me of the biblical prediction that the lion shall lie down beside the lamb in paradise, whereby symbolically, I am the lion. She was so comfortable with spending her "duck time" with me, preening herself, bobbing around, snacking on the mossy morsels, and even napping along side of me. Our hour of harmony was paradise.

Ducks do have the hearts of lions though... What I mean is that they seem to move steadfastly towards their goal; for example, when a little, black ferret appeared, she sprang, turned and bolted in the water. This keeps awake in me the wisdom of all enlightened beings, which is their ability to harmonize with people and with nature itself. And when it's appropriate to own a lion's heart, I will keep the courage to fully feel and have the willingness to act, to protect myself and others that I love. What a nice, symbolic reminder today about the balance of these elements. Thank you for being so beautiful. Love, Sharon

Kanaanbadet (beach)

Love & much sunshine, Sharon

30 Days of Indie Travel | Strange Food, Day 10!

In doing a little research for Day 10 of "strange food," I read that one of the strangest dishes in the world I will find in Sweden (my next home exchange destination). It is called surstomming which is fermented Baltic herring and can be found on supermarket shelves all over the country. Oh boy! I wonder if I've overlooked this in Ikea next to the frozen meatballs. Ok, I'm joking, however I am known for liking unusual foods. For example, I'm a fan of antelope, tuna tartare, kimchi, black fermented garlic and took a small nibble of a fried grasshopper in Thailand, which is probably the most strange.

Back to the herring research: it is caught in spring when it is just about to spawn and fermented in barrels for one to two months before it's tinned where the fermentation continues for several months. The cans often bulge during shipping and storage because of the continued fermentation process. Certain airlines have in fact banned these cans from being taken on flights, as they consider the pressurized cans to be potentially dangerous, like fireworks and explosives. A canned good exposing?! And can you imagine the smell in the baggage claim? It’s usually eaten with a type of flat crispy bread and boiled potatoes. Sometimes people drink milk with it, but beer and water are often used to guzzle it down. Looking forward to trying it.

A list of what I want to try:
Fried tarantula
Casu Marzu
Escamole
Durian
Scorpion on a stick
Some kind of eyeball (think Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - eyeball soup, anyone?)
And more kinds of bugs

I know I might be a little crazy. I'm alright with that. ;) What about you? What is the strangest food you've eaten? Where were you? Do tell! Love, Sharon