One thing that we Americans are not known for is knowing much about the outside world. Most people commented on Geneva or fondue when I said I was moving to Sweden. Or admitted to having no idea where on the map Sweden is located.
While I am enjoying learning about Sweden. Through my classes I've also been meeting people from all over the world and learning some great stuff, like this:
- There are two teenagers in Mexico City called Onedollarbill and Usnavy. Given names and pronounced with a Spanish accent of course!
- In Catalonia they celebrate Christmas with a pooping peasant figurine (el caganer)
- In 1994 during an election in Mexico the candidate that had already been chosen by the leading party was not in the lead. Since the voting calculations were being televised live that was solved by a simple power outage for a couple of hours. Once the power came back the government declared their man the winner.
- In Venice it is considered a capital sin to serve bad food to your guests. Not really, but you won't be receiving any thanks for the meal.
- Most Japanese don't eat that much sushi. Maybe 1-2x a month.
- When Germans get engaged they wear an engagement ring on the right hand. Right after they get married, the bride and groom have to cut a big piece of wood! There is also a tradition that friends kidnap the bride and ransoming her off to the groom!
Friday, May 17, 2013
A Tour of My Running Route
Back in February I found this path along Södermalm's southern coast when everything was covered in snow, ice and gravel. It was still nice to run along. But imagine my happiness when I returned last week from Turkey to find it looking like this!
I start off by walking towards Eriksdalbadet and look right to see the tiny houses built around garden plots. It's like a whole colony of tiny houses and lots of plants. I've never seen anything like it before I came to Sweden. (More of these houses to come.)
Around the corner is the first view of Lake Malaren and a whole lot of boats.
A little beach and some dads enjoying their paternity leave.
I usually turn here at Tantolunden. This day I got a blister so I took the bus home.
I start off by walking towards Eriksdalbadet and look right to see the tiny houses built around garden plots. It's like a whole colony of tiny houses and lots of plants. I've never seen anything like it before I came to Sweden. (More of these houses to come.)
There are docks where you can find happy sunbathing Swedes. Generally devoid of most of their clothes.
Then I pass by the love graffiti!
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| You can't live without love, you get nothing |
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| Kärlek = Love |
And under a bridge that carries the tunnel-bana into and out of the city.
Past more garden houses. See how many there are! A village really.
A little beach and some dads enjoying their paternity leave.
I usually turn here at Tantolunden. This day I got a blister so I took the bus home.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Model for a Day
Last week I got an invitation to join Micke's mom for a visit to Modelhouse for a free makeover. So why not? It's not every day I get to be a model for a day. We showed up and got our new faces and hair-dos. I didn't plan on taking photos, but was ultimately convinced by the photographer to pose in some absurd positions. One included pushing my hip out and placing my hands in my pockets. The coy look over the shoulder. I even got photographed in front of a blowing fan. My hair didn't have that model look, at all really. Mostly it just fanned out in all directions from my face, kind of like a lion.
But here are the three I decided to take home:
Feeling of Spring
It's been a while... I got caught up in daily routines and adjusting to life in Sweden. Following the usual pattern of culture shock, I'm past the honeymoon stage and have now landed somewhere in the phase which includes bouts of frustration followed by gradual acceptance. Nothing that some tears and watching a full season of Girls in 48 hours can't fix.
But spring is coming to Stockholm! Even though I haven't seen a single leaf or blade of green grass yet, I can feel it in the air. Last weekend we passed into 40 Degrees F. The streets and parks were busting with people. Coats and hats and all.
But spring is coming to Stockholm! Even though I haven't seen a single leaf or blade of green grass yet, I can feel it in the air. Last weekend we passed into 40 Degrees F. The streets and parks were busting with people. Coats and hats and all.
It feels like those long days of winter are already long forgotten!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Shopping in Sweden
The colors, the clean lines, the organization!
It feels like a creative experience!
Two Month Reflections
Last night I went to my first gathering with the American Women's Club of Stockholm. We were a group of 20 ladies sitting around in a circle, talking about our lives in the US and how we ended up in Sweden. There were a few mentions of missing home, but mostly it consisted of comments on how much everyone loves Sweden, despite the shitty weather. One comment stuck with me though. A woman who has lived here for 36 years said "I've never met a bad Swede, they are just different."
Reflecting on these past few months, I would agree. Sometimes I am baffled by the behavior here, but I have to remind myself that their intentions might be different from what I might assume. But ultimately I am left with the feeling that I have been shown such incredible kindness from the Swedish friends I have met, including Micke's friends who spent an hour on the phone, unsolicited from me, trying to get a doctors appointment for me on New Years Day. Another of his friends offered to set up a time each week when we could have a coffee and practice speaking only in Swedish, which we did this week. We spoke for an hour in Swedish on topics ranging from advertising to taking out books from the library. I was so proud of myself! But then I tried to have a conversation with Micke's dad later that night and had no clue what he was asking. Sigh. The challenges of a new language.
Anyways, back to my point... Looking around there are times when I think Sweden is not so different from the US, which is why I was all the more surprised to experience such culture shock the first few weeks I was here. I can watch the Simpsons, in English, on TV every night at 8 pm. There are 7-Elevens all over Stockholm. I can drink coke and eat hamburgers, if I so desire. If I ask someone on the street a question in English they will most likely be able to understand and respond in English. The differences are subtle though. I can't find anything in the grocery store because the layout seems completely illogical to me. The doors open in the opposite direction (outwards). A regular cup of black coffee is $4. Since it is considered high quality, this is seemingly fine for the Swedes. Coffee also must be 4x stronger than the typical US brew. Credit cards have chips and codes, so I get hassled every time I use my American card. And things like the Swedish admiration for their own social, education and health policies and their love of very tight pants (for men and women) continue to baffle me. When Swedes talk about their society, you will often hear mention of "dignity," and how everyone should be given the same opportunities. "Unfair" is the word that I hear most often when discussing the US. How can it be ok for some people to not have any money or insurance when others have so much?
This weekend we are moving to a new apartment. I'm very excited. Pictures to follow.
Reflecting on these past few months, I would agree. Sometimes I am baffled by the behavior here, but I have to remind myself that their intentions might be different from what I might assume. But ultimately I am left with the feeling that I have been shown such incredible kindness from the Swedish friends I have met, including Micke's friends who spent an hour on the phone, unsolicited from me, trying to get a doctors appointment for me on New Years Day. Another of his friends offered to set up a time each week when we could have a coffee and practice speaking only in Swedish, which we did this week. We spoke for an hour in Swedish on topics ranging from advertising to taking out books from the library. I was so proud of myself! But then I tried to have a conversation with Micke's dad later that night and had no clue what he was asking. Sigh. The challenges of a new language.
Anyways, back to my point... Looking around there are times when I think Sweden is not so different from the US, which is why I was all the more surprised to experience such culture shock the first few weeks I was here. I can watch the Simpsons, in English, on TV every night at 8 pm. There are 7-Elevens all over Stockholm. I can drink coke and eat hamburgers, if I so desire. If I ask someone on the street a question in English they will most likely be able to understand and respond in English. The differences are subtle though. I can't find anything in the grocery store because the layout seems completely illogical to me. The doors open in the opposite direction (outwards). A regular cup of black coffee is $4. Since it is considered high quality, this is seemingly fine for the Swedes. Coffee also must be 4x stronger than the typical US brew. Credit cards have chips and codes, so I get hassled every time I use my American card. And things like the Swedish admiration for their own social, education and health policies and their love of very tight pants (for men and women) continue to baffle me. When Swedes talk about their society, you will often hear mention of "dignity," and how everyone should be given the same opportunities. "Unfair" is the word that I hear most often when discussing the US. How can it be ok for some people to not have any money or insurance when others have so much?
This weekend we are moving to a new apartment. I'm very excited. Pictures to follow.
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