The Sratty Archaeologist

Hello All!
I've got 12 days left until I go to Sweden. Right now I'm just working on different packing lists, currently I have three. I'm trying to find the right balance of going out clothes to work clothes for the dig. I'm not quite sure of what there is to do around Hemse where I'll be staying, I know there's at least two bars/pubs to go out to within town. However most of the nightlife is in Visby, the island's capital. I'm going to be roughly an hour away from Visby for most of my stay. I know there are going to be different field trips to partake in like a day trip up to Visby or a trip to the beach so I do want to look cute and chic while I adventure around. On the other hand, the majority of the clothes I'll be bringing are athletic wear: Nike shorts, t-shirts, cropped leggings, sneakers, and my sturdy hiking boots. I'll be wearing these on most days while I dig.

One of the many pluses of my program is that I have a full laundry center so I'll be able wash everything on a regular basis. I'm very particular about my laundry though so hopefully whoever my roommate ends up being doesn't mind me hanging my laundry around our room.

Hopefully as we get closer to the departure date, Julie, Rachel, and I will be able to have a Skype or a Google Hangout session to figure out what we're all packing for work and play. I'll keeping you updated though and once I'm packed I'll post a full packing list for you all!

Well in one month I'll be in Sweden. Time seems to be flying by and I've gotten a few things done for my big trip. Since about April I've been trying to learn some basic Swedish phases and words just so I'm prepared and am able to get around. I'm very nervous for the language barrier, initially I had been looking to dig in the UK or Ireland, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity for a 5 week adventure in Sweden. I have an app on my phone called "Svenska" that has been really helping me out. At it's basic level (aka the free part of the app) it has many useful phrases like "how much does it cost" or "where's the bathroom?" The app also allows playback of the phrase or word so you can make sure you're pronouncing it right.
I know English is probably spoken in most of the places I'll be going , not to mention the course is taught in English, but I have a couple other concerns about being understood.

I have about 10 million different allergies, but the most dangerous to me are my nut and sesame allergies. The last thing I need is to have an allergic reaction while overseas. First of all my mother would probably cross the Atlantic herself and kill me for being so irresponsible, but most importantly it could cut my trip short. I'm taking all the precautions of course. I have the words for nuts and sesame seeds written out in my notes on my cell phone along with the phrase "I am allergic to..." This way if I'm out to eat I can let the waiter know that I have food sensitivities. My school already knows about my allergies so they're ready for me. In the end I just really have to watch what I eat.

As you can tell I depend a lot on my cell phone for maintaining contact with my less then tech savvy family and as a reference tool for the language barrier.  I'm taking it along with me but I'm not sure if I should get one of Verizon's international plans or a Swedish sim card. If you have any ideas let me know in the comments below!

Yesterday I made the pilgrimage down to Oaks, Pa to the annual Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale. After three trains, a 30 minute drive, and a 20 minute wait in line, we entered the pink paradise. This sale isn't for the feign of heart. There are women dressed in workout clothes power walking around the giant warehouse searching for their favorite Lilly prints. At the entrance the workers (who are some of the nicest people I've ever encountered) give you a giant bag to throw your loot in, and man, some of the women at the sale had three or four big bags full of clothes.

The Sale Floor

Me, I was just there to buy one, maybe two dresses, some of the Lilly sorority stuff, and a phone case. However, once you get into that warehouse, all bets are off and you just start literally throwing dresses, scarves, accessories, and shirts into your bag. Grab now, try on and sort later.

Now at the sale there is a section called "Samples." It's basically some last season stuff and a mish mosh of random clothing. Then,when people have a change of heart at the registrar, the discarded clothing is loaded up into a brown box and it is then dumped on the sample table.This is where the real deals are in my opinion. I found a dress there for $30 that was originally marked at $278. The sample table has layers of clothing and you really have to dig for good finds.

When I was ready to try on, the line to the dressing rooms was huge. Initially I had heard that there was to be no trying on clothing on the sale floor, but clearing that rule flew out the window. There were women all around the back wall of the sale floor in various states of undress trying on bag fulls of clothing. I ended up buying two dresses, one I'll be wearing to my sorority's formal, the other a more classic Lilly printed shift dress. Also I bought a AXiD print makeup bag and a key chain ( which I had never seen before, maybe a warehouse exclusive?). The checkout was efficient and once again the lady who rung me up at the register was so sweet, complementing my finds, excited it was my first time at the sale ( Seriously kudos Lilly Pulitzer, your workers are A+).

Throwing a Xi in front of the Lilly Jeep!

Getting to the sale was more of the challenge. As I mentioned before, I took 3 trains down to the sale, and it's a long trek. I'm always cold on the train so I usually wear a scarf, this time I wore a bright springy floral over my chambray shirt. Underneath it all I wore a cami and leggings so I could try on clothes at the sale with ease without completely stripping. I always carry my large Longchamp tote when I make big shopping trips. You can fit so much into those bags, for example yesterday when I left home it was raining and I had on boots and a raincoat, by the time I left Philly for home, it was sunny and warm. I ended up shoving my boots, coat, and my purchases in my tote. I don't like travelling long distances with lots of bags, it's a hassle to juggle everything. Having one bag to plop everything in is one of my travel essentials. I usually keep a crossword puzzle in my bag for the train because I don't want to waste my phone battery, ripping them put of a magazine at home gives you something to do and isn't as heavy as a big crossword book. Also, I always write down my trains and connections on a piece of paper before I leave home. Yes I have the apps but phone batteries can be temperamental.

I'm happy I got to go to the Lilly sale and would definitely go again next year. My only complaints were that the scarves were still pretty pricey and the only cell phone cases were for the iPhone 4/4s ( I have a 5). Other then that you can't beat the prices.

Me at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England

 I'm an archaeology major, I like to play in the dirt and discover artifacts from past civilization but (PLOT TWIST) I'm also minoring in Media Writing which basically is like journalism and social media management rolled into one. It's an interesting mix of programs, but I love that this combination can mix my love of the ancient with the power of modern communication. So what better way to chronicle my dig experience for the world to see then on a blog.

My Partners in Crime: Julie & Rachel

I'll be leaving the good ole USA in July and heading to Sweden, where I'll be participating in a five week field school on the island of Gotland. We'll be digging at a Viking site called Paviken, which hopefully will yield some good finds and give archaeologists insight to trade and crafts. I'm very excited as this will be my first dig! I'm not heading off into the field alone. Two of my best friends are coming with me. Julie and Rachel are also archaeology majors and they're my sisters too!

Until I board that plane in July, most of these post will be travel tips, packing advice, and random musings. If you stick around, I can guarantee bad jokes, fun stories, and pretty pictures.!

T-minus 38 days until Sweden!