h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sweden? Is there not a boat directly going to Copenhagen?
Why Sweden? Let me guess, you took a boat to Malmö?

Nope, there isn't direct boat to Denmark from here and actually not even to Malmö. I took the boat to Stockholm. These days we have a direct plane to Cph though, saves time.

Last night there was a big flash directly followed by a big bang of thunder. Just one thunderbolt! Then the wind started to play up. I had to push some socks between the window and the pane because it was making these annoying noices and prevented me from falling asleep. This morning I looked out of the window .... small patches of snow on the grass! You're package has arrived!
At this moment the sun shines full blast, the patches of snow in the shadows are fighting for their existence ... The amount of snow is far to little to create a Still, it good to see some snow and have a feel of winter.

So you took the boat to Stockholm and then ... you hitchhiked to Malmö ... where you took the boat to Cph ... from there ....?

Good you got your snow. Here we have piles of it already.

Old and wise as I am I actually started to hitch on the boat already. And I was lucky enought to get a lift to Copenhagen including the boat trip Helsingborg-Helsingör (or was it in opposite, I always forget which on is on which side)). And in C I had to meet with my h2g2-friend. Cellphone was a very important piece of equipment.

Clever girl! I think Helsingör is on the Danish side ... wasn't it also mentioned by Shakespeare in Hamlet? I'm not sure. It's years ago I read that one ... How long does the boat trip from Estland to Stockholm last, a day? It's quite a distance from Stockholm to the south of Sweden.

Living in Holland nothing is more farther away than 150 ... at the utmost 200 kilometers ... Still the weather can vary dramatically at a distance of 50 kilometers. In the province of Brabant blizzards, overhere near to the sea another sunny day of early spring.

Actually it takes a night. Some 15 hours or so. And I like the boat trip quite a lot.

Estonia isn't much bigger than Netherlands. So things look quite the same here. Exept that the number of population is much smaller here.

Lucky you! You got space and rest!
Especially what is called the Randstad, the four major cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Utrecht is overpopulated.

I am planning a trip to NL this summer. I'll check it all out then.

If you let me know where you're planning to stay, I might point out some beautiful spots to visit. Holland has that as well.
It is overpopulated in the Randstad. So many people have decided to live outside the Randstad. But because most people work in the Randstad, it's the economic center of the country, people have to travel to work. So people living outside the Randstad or someone working in Amsterdam and living in Utrecht, tries in vain to come in early in order to avoid the traffic-jams on the highways.
I remember a few years ago, we had to be in Amsterdam around half past eight in the morning. From Utrecht to A'dam is half an hour drive. So we left quite early, around half past six by car in order to avoid the traffic jams. At seven we managed to get out of the city. As soon as we hit the highway in the direction of A'dam, we got stuck again. Well, we arrived on time by travelling 30 km an hour!
Ah, and the trains! That's one source of public annoyance number 1.
Overcrowded, belated, expensive etc. etc.
Oh yes, bear in mind. It's not a cheap country. With the introduction of the Euro, prices doubled of food and drink.

for the tips.
Atm I am checking http://www.franknature.nl/hitchhike/hitchhike.htm for some tips, too.

I'm getting all nostalgic.
Nah, not really.

I was 18 when I hitchhiked in Holland, more than twenty years ago.
I hitchhiked last summer, in Belgian Eiffel. Went fab. I had my dog with me. I thought at first this would prove an obstacle, but in fact she was a great help.

I love hitchhiking, it's an excellent way of meeting the nicest people.

Yes, I agree.

And now it's snowing with no end here. The town looks like a Christmas postcard. Somehow I managed to catch the cold or some nasty virus.

AY! Lemons, rum, thee and honey ... and stay as much as possible under the eiderdown!

I'm better already. and honey did their best. All I still have is a little fever.
And it's still snowing.

Be careful though. You really need time to sick out a cold. Otherwise it sticks.

All that snow! It must be really beautiful.

Here the direction of the wind changed. It's now coming from the north-east. It's only a few degrees below zero, still it feels bitterly cold . It has been snowing as well, but not much. Here and there are icy patches on the ground. It was like I said, on Monday there were major traffic-jams in this country, over 500 kilometers in total during the morning rush hour, due to 'wintery spells'. Well, so I read in the paper. I cannot help it, it's called 'Leedvermaak' in Dutch, enjoying the misfortune of others. I don't drive.

I don't drive either.
Here the snow is ever so common and it doesn't cause much problems. I mean, the machines are on the roads and life is just normal. I was out shoveling twice today and I think I should go once more. Or some of the kids could do it...

I don't drive is because it's so bloody expensive to get a license. Even to park the machine somewhere near the house costs hell of a lot of money. Living in the Randstad didn't make it neccessary with all the trains and busses.
Since I moved away from the Randstad, I now consider it as a handicap not to drive and own a car. It feel hampered in my mobility.

Yeah, it's expensive here too. But actually I don't think driving is for me, I am so utterly absentminded, you see.