High in Are! Heather L. Williams

We spent the day in Åre (pronounced aura), which is the only world-class resort in Scandinavia, with skiing that matches many resorts in the Alps. It was the setting for the World Skiing Championships in 2007. We took a cable car ride to the top where we had lunch and took lot's of pictures. A Swedish woman named Ulla overheard us talking and asked how we had arrived in Sweden from the States with the Volcano activity? I told her I wasn't sure myself but we made it... and then we joked throughout the day that we'll be booking tickets on Queen Elizabeth II and journeying back by sea if we have to!

Åre also offers reindeer sleigh rides, dog-sledding and snowshoeing... but we, ok I, was more interested in checking out Åre Chocolate Factory at the base of the mountains, where hand-made chocolates have been produced since 1991 from recipes based upon old traditions and local flavours like blueberries, cloudberries, cowberries and also exotic flavours like saffron and chili. Oh yeah, I know you want some! Don't worry, I'm bringing some home!

We also visited Åre Glassworks where we watched the craftswomen at work and we each purchased a beautiful piece of glass art.

And as we expect every day to be here, we weren't done there! We spent time checking out the oldest and newest high end resorts in Are. We were again impressed by the history dating hundreds of years back and the impressive new Copperhill Mountain Lodge which you have to check out at www.copperhill.se. It is amazing! Copper everywhere including an entire wall of copper... wood, stone and slate perfection inside and out. We were impressed down to the black, scented toilet paper we found in the bathrooms... now that's a first! Don't worry, I'm bringing home the vendor name and it will be my first reccomendation to implement at the Y! Lol!

And yet you think our day was over? Oh no! We ended our day with dinner at the Equestrian School of Sweden and then returned to our host parents for our last night with them before expanding our Swedish family tomorrow.

Hay Dios Mio (Good Lord)! Our heads are spinning from our jam packed schedule but every moment is one to remember and we cannot thank the people here enough for their kindness and generosity. Tak! (Thank you... I'm getting good at this!)