Hemsidan för Salome
My first days in Sweden
On the 6th of March I left my mom, my family, friends and my own country for the first time to go to Sweden. I had mixed emotion: on the other hand I was happy to see my best friend I haven't seen in 8 months; to see the snow and to interact with other people. On the other hand I was sad to leave my mom and my family for the first time in 20 years 'cause I didn't know I could live without them. Being on the plane was something I never experienced in my entire life being in it was awesome.The food was nice and the staff was friendly. When I landed in Zurich on the 7th at 06:05am I was expecting to meet my friend Anna right after I got off the plane. Everything was all new to me, when I got off I realised that was not possible.
There the officials were very strict and asked a lot of questions making me feel like I was a criminal unlike in South Africa were they are laid back but later I got to understand that they did it in order not to let criminals in their country. After a lot of questions I was let through the gate and I stood there waiting for an official to tell me what to do, got my answer and went to the waiting area where I was hoping to meet my friend but she did not show up. It turns out she could not meet me cause she was not allowed in. Where I was sitting was a big window next to me, where you could see aero planes from all over the world, then suddenly a South African airline landed. I saw the colours, I rushed to the window. At that moment I realised that I was far away from home, I started to cry, I wanted to go home to my mom, my family and my friends. Then I took my bag and went to the information desk to find the number my gate and went straight to it crying.
After hours of crying and waiting for my next plane to Stockholm, it showed up at 10:05 I got in. Suddenly all my fears were settled, nothing could go wrong now, I was going to Sweden, where my best friend's dad will be waiting for me. I was not scared anymore cause in just two and a half hour I will be in Stockholm, where there is snow since it was raining in Zurich. Then I got off the plane, followed the crowd, passed the officials, then I waited for the luggage. While waiting for the luggage I saw these two cute girls wearing black jackets printed Umeå on them and asked them what to do after getting the luggage. They were so kind and helpfull, they showed me the way, then Miahabo's dad was waiting, he came to meet me (I've made it!). Then we both took a last plane to Umeå.when the plane landed, we got out there was snow, the place was all white. I was so happy to see the snow I did not even feel the cold. I met my Swedish family and my best friend. Everything is like a dream to me it's two weeks now since I arrived in Sweden and I'm loving it. Everyone that meets me ask me if I mind the snow and I say: "no I'm loving it". I love the snow, the people and the fika (which now I eat several times a day).
The first week I arrived my family took me to the slopes to do pulka which my best friend taught me and I was good at it then, learned how to ski at the back of our house (I don't remember how many times I fell) by my best friend and her mom (who I call her mom too) but I loved it. Now I'm attending high school and I'm meeting a lot of people everyday which sometimes I don't remember their names. Sweden is very beautiful, the cottages, the landscapes and of course the snow.
Finally I want to thank my Swedish family for giving me this opportunity to come and stay with them; I could never ask for a better family, I love you guys. To Marcel (my Swedish dad) and his friend Jens thank you for the beautiful website, you two are the best! And for all the people who contributed to make this dream of mine come true, may god bless you and give you happiness in whatever you do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, ke a leboga, tack så mycket.
Salome Selamolela.