Its been a week and a half since I touched down in Göteborg, Sweeeeden and I feel pretty accomplished in not doing much. Well I did a little over the past week or so, starting with last week when I spent the bulk of my day riding aimlessly and forging relationships to cashiers of various coffee and food establishments with my favorite line "Prata engelska?" (for you Texans, "hey, ya speak English?"). I know the ridiculously intuitive and expansive bicycle path system of Göteborg like the back of my hand and with a little help I can order an espresso with gusto. I have made a list few nice little observations about Swedish culture that are new to me, but I will post that tomorrow so you can check back every so often and I don't spoil all your fun. For now, Ill just tell you a little bit about my past week.
The breeziness of Gothenburg (göteborg), prompted me to buy a decent jacket and after scoping out a few North Face and Colombia dull garments at Nordstan, Scandinavia's largest shopping mall (aka pretty people shopping Hell) I was convinced by Karolina, my Swedish flatmate and personal designer for those of you who don't know, to make my big first Swedish product purchase. A damn good, semi water proof Tierra jacket that has been stuck to my body most days even when it is warm outside. During the last week I was also convinced to buy new socks (needed) and underwear (much needed) by the aforementioned personal designer from Sweden's second most important export, H&M clothing stores. First most important export would have to be Swedish licorice salty fish candy, which after hating (HATING) in Vietnam when first shoved in my mouth, I have grown to be OK with (note: I love them now and ate all of Karolina's stash, then bought more at the grocery store, and ate them IN the grocery store, prompting looks of unsanitary disdain from fellow shoppers). I have also been adjusted to the Swedish "sandwich" which consists of bread (what we call a cracker), pickles, Swedish cheese, and dill caviar. Sounds like a horrible munchies-driven concoction created by Vikings, and it probably is, but it is damn tasteee! Oh and there is this crepe (not Swedish) stand on Linne street, which is absolutely orgasmic! ok, ill stop.
Besides endeavors in Swedish culinary arts, we visited Karolina's friend in Örsviken (yeah, I dare you to attempt to pronounce that!) which is a beautiful seaside town just outside of Göteborg where an extravagant feast of BBQ was served that included bacon wrapped banana slices (again, not Swedish... but who knew?). Prior to the cozy food in the little cozy old Swedish cottage where they live, we took a walk down to the waterfront and into a picturesque scenery of seaside Sweden. After the food the evening drifted harmoniously on, as we sipped coffee, wine and traded travel stories and made fun of the U.S.A., then ran to catch the last bus back into town around midnight, like all Europeans do on Friday nights.
On Sunday we did what all Swedish people do and those Americans visiting and wishing to emulate the peak of Swedish culture: We went to Ikea. Probably the best thing to come out of Sweden (rivaling with H&M) - according to 20-30something American white hipsters - is Ikea. But Ikea is home to every working class, young mom and dad with screaming child, grandma and grandpa and just about every ethnic or social group in Sweden. They shop there, they live there and they eat there. So in order to get the full socialist experience of Sweden, I did the same. I bought orderly components for Karolina's apartment, I ate Swedish meatballs and potatoes from the restaurant, I ate Swedish hot dogs from the cafe, I drank Swedish beer from the tap at the restaurant, I was dragged by Karolina to every single room set up and section of the entire 2 story warehouse sized store and told what is tacky and what is "good Swedish design". A cultural experience at its peak.
Here are some pictures and click on the picasa link below to see all of them in one place, with better resolution...
Until next time kids,
Taylor from Sweden, Vi ses senare! (see you later!)
Here are some pictures and click on the picasa link below to see all of them in one place, with better resolution...
So without sleep due to jetlag, or maybe just the creeping Nordic light that is in full force by 5 am every morning, I dragged my massive suitcases back to do the airport shuffle I know so well by now and off to Sweden. Most people speak Swedish in Finland, as it is a nationally recognized second language, so it was a good transition stop in Helsinki - a place that, prior to a few years ago, I likely couldn't find on a child's color map or Europe. It is cute to see mild insults thrown on both sides of the border between Sweden and Finland (much to the same effect that we make fun of Canada for being... Canada), like little bickering neighbors.
OK but anyways... yesterday I arrived in Göteborg, my new ... uhh... "place" for a little while in beautiful Sweden and from what I have seen it is incredible! I will update you as I develop a feel and further opinion on Sverige.
Toodles!
taylor
