Here is my blog about my adventures in Sweden! It will likely not be updated super regularly but will have key observations, photos, and stories.
Photo of the Day: It isn’t even October and it is already starting to get darker much earlier. This picture was at about 6:35 as I was waiting for the bus.
Observation of the Day: The exercise classes in Sweden, at least in my limited experience, use much more excess equipment than those in the US. I have used more weights and boxing gloves than ever before. Granted, they are different classes too.
Word of the Day: mötta (to meet)
Photo of the Day: This is a statue in the city center and the light was shining on it beautifully. Other than that it was a standard day of class, homework, commuting, and hanging out with my host family.
Observation of the Day: The Canary Islands are to Sweden as Florida is to the US. Everyone travels there and many people retire there. It is also very touristy.
Phrase of the Day: Jag behöver studera på svenska (I need to study swedish)
Photo of the Day: Today William, Elliot and I watched part of Tarzan and Tangled. Followed by a photo booth session to make us look like aliens.
Observation of the Day: Swedes sometimes celebrate their Name Day. Everyday there are three names on the calendar and people with those names celebrate or acknowledge that the day is special because it is their Name Day.
Phrase of the Day: Jag älskar dig (I love you)
Photo One of the Weekend: My program went on a trip to Gotland, an island off of Sweden, this weekend. We went to a traditional viking dinner… wearing typical robes, playing viking games, and eating with our hands.
Photo Two: We went on a tour of Gotland. This was a pond of Holy Water. We drank it and it was quite refreshing.
Photo Three: Of course you have to take a jumping picture by the Baltic Sea. This water was also infested with jellyfish. So cool!
Photo Four: This is a duck pond and a general view of the old town of Visby.
Photo Five: A princess tower in the wall built around the city of Visby on Gotland. The sky was also beautifully blue and full of clouds.
Observation of the Weekend: It is a law in Sweden that you must wear your seatbelt while riding a bus.
Word of the Weekend: bil (car)
Photo of the Day: Today was a pretty standard day but no documentable moments arose. However I did make a LOT of progress in making potential travel plans for various breaks and weekends. So that IS exciting.
Observation of the Day: In Northern Sweden they use watermills to make electricity so it is cheaper when it rains more because the mill works better.
Word of the Day: andas (breathe)
Picture of the Day: Today I trudged through the once again rainy Stockholm weather to the Fotografiska (Photography Museum). The main display was on Robert Mapplethorpe’s work. It was really interesting and this pirate photo was one of my favorites.
Observation of the Day: When you take a cat nap in a cafe, you will be woken up by an employee while all the other employees stare, however I think this is universal.
Word of the Day: kungen (king)
Photo of the Day: I went to a body pump fitness class at the university today. It was all in Swedish but with all American music such as Living on a Prayer.
Observation of the Day: All teachers in Sweden are expected to teach sex ed to their students but they have no training in order to do so.
Word of the Day: kors bris (cross breeze)
Photo of the Day: Today as I was getting on the subway I was thinking about what I was going to post here because nothing really happened today. Then all the sudden there was a big commotion on the platform as the subway came up and after I got on about a million people squeezed on and were chanting and jumping (shaking the subway). Turns out there was a futbol game in the stadium by my apartment and the fans were crazy! Lighting fireworks, singing, drinking, getting chased by police. Needless to say it was the most eventful journey home in my life.
Video of the Day: This is one of several but it shows kids lighting fireworks and the masses of people and cops leading from the subway to the stadium. There isn’t much singing in this one but it shows the vibe of the walk better than my videos of the singing. It was madness and a little frightening.
Observation of the Day: Swedes are passionate about their futbol teams.
Word of the Day: en gång till (one more time)
Photos of the Day: Swedish Nationals… turns out not that legit of a tournament. However it was fun and we (The Stockholm Syndromes) got second. 🙂 We played in Örebro and had beautiful weather on Saturday but it was very cold and rainy on Sunday. Overall a good weekend.
Observations of the Day: In Sweden frisbee rather than saying a cheer for the other team after the game, both teams mix and huddle together and their captains talk about how the game went and what the other team did well. Then you high five and say tack (thanks) instead of good game like in the US. Also when a pick is called and the frisbee is dropped it is not a turnover.
Word of the Day: blåsa (blister)
Picture of the Day: Day of homework in the pretty area around Slussen station. Lots of shopping and good food in the area. However I got a tomato and mozzarella sandwich which was cold (I expected grilled) and the mozzarella was in slabs.
Observation of the Day: Families start eating before everyone has food and is seated. They also don’t say grace because Swedes aren’t very religious people.
Word of the Day: apa (monkey)