Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been busy, lazy, and unmotivated. Here goes the best and most accurate summary of the past month and a half that I can give.
LAPLAND
For those of you who don't know, Lapland is the region of Sweden and Finland North of the Arctic circle where I was between February 28thish and March 5thish (something like that). Anyway, the trip began on a nightrain from Stockholm to a small town up north Just south of the arctic circle called borden. Our seats on the train folded into beds, which was amazing, and we arrived early in the morning to eat a crappy breakfast at a hostel and then get on a bus to take us to where the train could have...Kiruna. On the way we stopped at the Sami musuem (Sami are indigenous Swedes) which was all in Swedish, which made it rather dull to every single exchange student cause no one, i repeat no one, speaks Swedish. We also stopped and met a sami family and their reindeer farm. Reindeer are pretty cool, they actually do play reindeer games. I got to feed them and eat them (separately). We then saw an exhibition on the Northern Lights (the main reason I went) which unlike the lights themselves was really boring after not having a decent nights sleep in a few days, and my dear friend illiana had to wake me up in the middle of it. We arrived at night to Kiruna, home of the world largest iron mine, where we stayed two nights. I forgot to mention that we stopped at the actic circle for a photo op...twas pretty cool. Anyway, in kiruna the snow was as high as I was which was an experience unto itself. From Kiruna we went dogsledding which was not a very good experience for me. We were the third run of the day, so the dogs were tired and unbearably slow, and right before our stop my leg got caught on a branch while the dogs were moving, and if they hadn't have been going so slow, it would've broken. My feet were exactly where the driver told me to put them. I let out a yell of pain and he suggested that I walk it off. I limped the rest of the trip, and my knee is still acting up. The whole time I'm thinking, if we were in america you'd be doing everything to convince me not to sue you, but here, somehow, you can still charge me after a subaverage run because you overbooked your dogs, and almost breaking my leg. SWEDES!!!! Anyway, that night we went to a bar in kiruna which didn't seem to promising at first, but somehow or another, I ended up playing the guy the bar hired for the nights guitar everytime he took a break. I am now the only person I know or even know of who has performed for atleast 50 people north of the arctic circle. I played for the better part of an hour too. It was pretty awesome. The next day we went to the ice hotel which is, as it sounds, a hotle made entirely of ice, which is quite an amazing cite, especially the ice sculpture rooms. We then arrived in Abisko which I would describe as one of the single most beautiful places I have ever been. Nestled in the mountains of Northern Sweden, Abisko offers one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Of course the tour group did a horrible job planning the trip, and we were only there one night (most of us would've been happy to spend the whole time there) and it was cloudy. Nonetheless, abisko was gorgeous. We went down to a wood sauna on the ice lake where a hole had been melted so you could jump in. We sat in the sauna then rolled in the snow and jumped in the lake. It was pretty much amazing. The next day was sort of the nail in the coffin for what a failure the travel companyt was, as we spent 7hrs in a bus so we could stop at some crappy old church, which was closed, and then arrive in borden to catch a train that we couldve taken from abisko. Such is the problem with the swedish system. The customer or cinsumer has no rights. If the product sucks, too bad, its the only one they got. All in all though it was a once in a lifetime experience and I did have an amazing time. However, not seeing the northern lights on account of horrible planning from a company that I paid five hundred dollars to was to say the least, dissappointing.
A Short Digression on Swedes and Sweden
Let me first add a disclaimer to this and say that I am fully aware that all Swedes do not fall into the catergory that is about to be made. Lotta,Camilo,Beatrice, Kim, Martin, Matias, Ann, and a bunch of old guys at the club are some of the coolest people on earth. The Swedsih system also has many good things, and they have a lot to be proud of. However:
This does not excuse the rest of them being rude, self-righteous, stuck up, excuse my language, assholes.
Offense number 1 SWEDISH BUS DRIVERS
Basically, we buy a bus pass and trust that the bus drivers will operate on the schedule. When a train is late, they are supposed to wait on it. Most of the time they don't, but least of all, they should never leave early. I kid you not, and this is like the fifth offense, as our train pulls up, on schedule, 5 minutes before the bus is supposed to leave, I see the jerk pulling off, AS THE TRAIN IS PULLING UP!!! WHAT IS THIS!!! THE TRAIN IS CARRYING PEOPLE WHO NEED THE BUS, AND HE DRIVES OFF...WHAT!!! Not to mention, I have ran out to the bus, who is usually arriving significantly earlier than he's supposeds too, knocked on the side of the bus as he's shutting the door, and he still drives off. I've even been on when the bus driver decides he doesn't want to turn into riksten and just go straight to lida, so he tells us to get off. DO YOUR DAMN JOB!!! we pay a butt load of money to use swedish public transit, and the drivers suck.
Offense number two Self righteous Swedes
Swedes are really proud of certain things. Some of those are justified. Their neutrality in world war II however, which they bring up all the time, is not. I'll just put it this way, the only countries who weren't initially neutral in wwII were germnany, japan, and italy. Hitler took belgium, netherlands, france, Poland, dennmark and norway in just over a week. The enemy was imperial, fascist, and genocidal. You don't get points for being neutral when the only reason you could remain neutral was becuase other countries sent their people to die so you wouldn't be just another conquest. Hitler didn't respect russia or belgiums, or hollands, or frances, or polands or anyone elses neutrality. Sweden should be ashame do of that if anyhting, but they certainly shouldn't brag about it. Swedes are also really self righteous about their fantastic social democratic welfare state for 9 million people. They often speak of it as if the rest of the world is too stupid to adopt such a system. Just to set the rcord straight, sweden has 9 million people, still a 5-6% unemployment, and still a large degree of racial tensions from the large influx of immigrants in recent years. They brag about their equality, as their policies encourage women to work instead of stay at home. Leaving out the radical notion that some women do prefer that, most women in sweden work in the public sector, atleast most women who would otherwise be at home raising children do. Plenty of ambitious women, like in the states or anywhere else hold higher level positions. But basically, equality for swedish women has meant driving a bus or a train instead of staying at home. It has nothing to do with equality, it has everyhting to do with the government needs to tax your income to support its giant welfare expenses. AND I STILL CAN"T GET ANY HEALTH SERVICES EVEN THOUGH I PAID 200 bucks in advance for insurance. Sweden is not perfect. Even with their decommodification, they still have homeless people. SO COME OFF IT!!!
Offense 3 Protesting America
Yes, protesting America, not the war, America. Wiht signs that say Americans are murderers. Get out of Iraq, get out of Afganhistan. Now, I have protested Iraq a lot myself. Its probably hard to disl;ike the bush administration as much as I do right now. But thats not America. I'm not a freaking murder. 70 percent of voting americans are against the war. A lot of us were against it from the start. And get out of afganhistan...I'm pretty sure the taliban commissioned 911. We should've focussed on Afganhistan and not Iraq, and we'd probably be done by now. They love to complain about america and how horrible we are yet every ounce of their pop culture is euther ours or a cheap knock off of it. Their food is all a cheap knock off of american or mediteranean...just without any flavor. Most of the products they use were developed in america save maybe matches and volvos...which are now MADE IN AMERICA. KNow what you are protesting. Protest the war, but I'm an american and I've never killed anyone. That same day was the day I picked emily up from the airport, and on three seperate occsions some rude swede informed us that whatever we were doing (which was what everyone else was doing) was "not how we do in Sweden). This is of course after they hear us speak english. To say the least, I was pretty angry with sweden.
Emily comes to Sweden and we travel Northern Europe
Three days before my break EMily arrived in Sweden before our vacation. Aside from Swedes treating us like crap outside of home, the ones back home in Riksten reminded me that not all swedes are bad. Emily Martin Camilo, Ricca, and I had a fry night. Originally I was just going to fry pickles, which I've gotten pretty good at, but then everyone started helping, and we fried pickles, zuchinni, potatoes, swedish meatballs, and I don't know what else. 'twas lots of fun. I've never been so overstuffed in my life. Oh yeah, and camilo blew up a can of condensed milk in his room cause he's a dufus and left the stove on really high, and it looked lik there was a poo war in his room. It was epic.
So we left for Berlin on the 18th of march. The flight was twelve bucks and took 75 min. The bus to the airport was fifteen bucks and took 80. Just a funny little anecdote I love to share. Anyway, Berlin is one of the most amazing cities I've ever been too. Since so many horrible things have happened there in the past, they're determined not to let them happen again, so basically if you don't bother anyone, you can do whatever you like. The street art is absolutely amazing. We took a tour which included climbing on top of an abandoned prison, and a visit to a bombe dout nazi train station which has been turned into an art gallery. It kinda of exeplifies the city in that it takes something horrible, and instead of tearing it down and pretending it never happened, they turn it into something positive. We also went to a socialist wine bar where you pay 1 euro for your glass, drink all the wine you want, and tip at the end for how much you think its worth. Beer is cheaper than water in germany because it is considered to be an essential like bread. AND ITS GOOOOD. The next morning we went to the german history museum where we spent the better part of 5 hours (lots of history). You would be amazed at how open they are about the blunder that was wwII. They don't try to cover it up. They talk about it openly, and with an heir of shame, even though they had nothing to do with it. Probably yet another reason why they will never let something like that happen again. Oh yeah, and we climbed the wall.
From Berlin we got on a nightrain to Brussels where we awoke at 600. Quite an amusing anecdote, Hostels world screwed up and never sent emily confirmation of the hostel... so we couldn't find it. We walked into the first hostel we found, asked if they had any vacancies, they said not withou a reservation, and we said well, we might have one, and they did...so yay. Brussels is a city for eating. The waffles are all you ever dreamed they can be and more. The beer just feels good. The french resteraun owners are still assholes, but the italian place you go instead will surely be really nice and delicious. The next day we went to Brugge which kinda seemed like the gatlinburg of europe to me, but was actually pretty cool. Its an old medeival town with a really pretty castle and The Salvador Dali Museum. AMAZING FOOD!!! The real adventure in Bruge though came from the trip to our hotel. Our hotel was actually in aalter, one town away. i.e. we carried our stuff around all day, and walked all day in the cold and some snow. Sow e get on the train and 15 minutes later arrive at a stop called maria aalter. THIS IS NOT THE SAME THING AS AALTER, as we would later find out. We get off at the stop and there is a street light and that is it. To our right is a field followed by a forest. To our left is a field followed by a forest. In fron of us are train tracks and hopefully the city of aalter, but visibly, only a field and traintracks as far as we can see. Its 9 o clock in the belgiun winter. ITS DARK!!! So we walk for about 2 hours, probably a good 5 miles, when we arrive at an appeared to be aBANdoned town complete with pony chewing ominously. So we walk somemore. Finally we find the station, which is closed, and then a resteraunt where some nice people directd us towards our hotel which was a km down the road and CLOSED with a sign that said sign in a the best western by big parking" WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN? OH, THE BIG PARKING LOT OF BRUGGE, I'VE READ ALL ABOUT THAT ONE GAAAAAAAAHHH!!! Any way, long story short, we finally get in our room and colapse. We wake up the next morning bound for Amsterdam. On the train this crazy women tries to sit in this seat with this guys stuff in it who had gotten up to go to the bathroom. We told her he was sitting there and she left. I then picked his stuff up and set it in his seat so no on eelse would make the same mistake. The women across the isle who probably kn ew 4 words of english starts calling us liars and says that no one is sitting there. I assure her that someone is and that it is not my stuff when the crazy women come back, moves the stuff and sits in the seat, then procedes to yell at us. A guy who was sitting near us comes to our rescue and tells her that we are not lying. She just goes on in french. THEN THE GUY COMES BACK. She stats yelling at him for I guess having the nerve to go to the bathroom. It was utterly ridiculous. Then the rest of the trip the two women would bitch in french acroos the isle. I love europe, but boy does it have its share of absolutely shameless assholes. So amsterdam was great, we stayed in a botel. Thats a boat hotel, whcih was...no complaints i guess. We went to the Anne Frank house, the Van goh museum, and did a canal cruise. We don't have a lot of pictures because most of the attractions were no cameras allowed. The entire city smells like weed. I always expect to turn a corner and see like Ben Harper on stage or something...but no luck. All the resteraunts cater to the munchies, and I've never seen so many stoner americans an an obvious get stoned in europe field trip. Oh and Heineken is really good in Amsterdam. Its crap from a can or bottle, but good fresh. Then we went to Hamburg...a city for germans as we have dubbed it, as the tourist attractions are not as plentiful as berlin. We were tired anyway, adn were happy to just go see a movie and sit. No country for old men is really good by the way. We did happen by st. pauli which is what hamburg is known for, which is like 40 strip clubs on one street. We didn't go. Such was an amazing trip not just for what I saw, but for the fact that I spent two solid weeks with the same person and didn't want to strangle them once.
Life back in Stockholm
So after the unhappy task of taking emily back to the bus station I commenced my usual saturday routine of playing at stampen where this time I met a bunch of old guys that I will probably be playing with for the duration of my time here. They're awesome and they're get this, a southern rock blues band. The singer is actually from NC, but he's lived in Sweden for 28 years. I'm excited about playing with them. We started having a potluck every sunday with our building in hopes to get to know the swedes. Its to no avail, but it has brough ricca, camilo, martin beatrice, matt and i closer together. We are starting to eat together every night and just kinda hang around each other. Most of the other students live in the other two buldings, so while I'm friends with a lot of them, I'm not really in their little clicks, so I've found my own amongst the people who live here. YAY!!! They're like my A-team away from home.
London and Scotland
Let me just start by saying the trip was already began with a bit of sourness, as someone who will go nameless purchased two tickets to sicily with only one day of prep, which I hastily got moved to london for a minimal 7 pounds. This added a lot of inconvienience and money. We flew into London, then from london to Glasgow (scotland) where we stayed. People in Glasgow are nice. Its a nice place. The next morning we went to edinburgh and the castle and met william wallace and to stirling to see his monumnet. The castle is absolutely amazing and gorgeous. You wouldn't believe the view of just right outside the city. Breathtaking. I eve ate hagas which contrary to popular belief is not so bad.
LONDON
I HATE LONDON. From the time we got ther we started getting ripped off until the time we left. Cool things in London: Tower of London very cool 14 pounds...not that cool, but ultimately woth it. Horror museum, Olympic processional, chinatown, buckingham palace, westminister abbey, big ben, parliament, picadilly circus. All cool. Rip off number 1 and the only one I will share since, well the only one i feel like sharing. We go to the trainstation at the airport of the first country I've been to since arriving in europe where the official language is english i.e. ther was no confusion as to what we were saying. We asked for a bus ticket to london, a three day transportation pass, and a return ticket back to the airport. All together 30 pounds. Thats a lot of money for 3 days, but suck it up. So the second day we are there, our cards won't let us on the tube to which we are told we are out of money on our cards. Apparently the guy didn't sell us the tourist passes which exist, and which we paid for, but gave us an oyster card with ten pounds on it. The went 25 pounds on remaining transportation and the other 6 pound which were unaccounted for in the initial transaction. Later it occurs to me that we weren't issued a ticket for our return journey, just sold one. So there goes 16 pounds for the new ticket and 6 we spent on the initial. All and all the bastard at the train station cost me over 100 unaccounted for dollars. Legitimate businesses cheated me. I went to london, didn't spend money on souveniers or nice food, or a nice place to stay, did it as cheaply as possible and got taken for every dime i had. It was like a tax for being alive. I HATE LONDON and will never return unless I'm being paid. On a lighter not, we went to a buffet in china town that threatend to charge if we wasted food. Now I'm back in Stockholm and couldn't be happier.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Swedish Food
So where was I last night?
I was at the Stockholm city hall.
Isn't that where they award the Nobel prize?
Well, actually it is.
And why was I there last night?
Every year the Stockholm city hall holds a big dinner for all the exchange students in Stockholm...there are a bunch of us because Stockholm is a popular place because school is free. Anyway, the building is beautiful brick both inside and out, and it sits right on the baltic sea, whioch had a rather ominous haze over it, creating a beautiful yet haunting scene of the Stockholm night sky and cityscape. ANyway, all the myths about Swedish food being disgusting are simply untrue. There was salmon, roast beef, some kinda potato stuff, pasta salad, cheese, bread, mini bratwursts, and lots of other delicious foods. But the most amazing part of the entire night was the little plastic things in a basket on the table. I kid you not, you might want to sit down for this, it was a wine holder that clipped to your plate so you could stand and eat and not have to worry about holding your wine (which according to the french was crap) I am inclined to agree, because it was very, very dry, but no matter, it was free, so indulge. Needless to say, we stuffed ourselves. And then we went to the University of Stockholm for a party. On the way there, about a hundred of us walked past a parked VW jetta I think (perhaps all jetta drivers are jerks) anyway, we had all been drinking, and long story short, I touched the car kinda like a rail to kinda gather my balance, and whatever else. The important part is, I didn't kick it, I didn't punch it, I simply rested my hand on it as we walked past, its a bad habit I guess. So the car honks, and this punky looking guy gets out of it, runs up to me, and starts yelling at me about his car, and how if it was damaged I was going to pay for it. I threw my hands up and said whoa man, I don't wanna fight, I'm sorry I touched your car, I assure you it was not damaged. So finally this kid retreats back into his car. A couple of people assured me that everyone is not like that, he was just being "cool." But I learned that perhaps I shouldn't touch cars at all costs. So that was the closest I have come to getting into a fight. But there is no need to worry about fighting here, becuase number one, Swedes are kinda wimps, maybe not the ones who work up north, or down south, but the punk teenagers in the city are wimps...if its a fin, give em what they want because they'll kick your butt, but Swedes talk a big game, but are not so tough (I get this information on high authority from a Swedish friend of mine). Plus they are really skinny, and dress like the goth kids in teenage sex comedies. But most importantly, you're not allowed to have weapons in Sweden, so you won't get stabbed or shot, just maybe a black eye. Punk kids!!! This documents the second night where some punk Swedish kid has tried to ruin a night of fun by starting a fight. Anyway, after kinda talkin' for a while, I figured I better get home and finish my paper. So I did. And here I am....YAY!!!
I was at the Stockholm city hall.
Isn't that where they award the Nobel prize?
Well, actually it is.
And why was I there last night?
Every year the Stockholm city hall holds a big dinner for all the exchange students in Stockholm...there are a bunch of us because Stockholm is a popular place because school is free. Anyway, the building is beautiful brick both inside and out, and it sits right on the baltic sea, whioch had a rather ominous haze over it, creating a beautiful yet haunting scene of the Stockholm night sky and cityscape. ANyway, all the myths about Swedish food being disgusting are simply untrue. There was salmon, roast beef, some kinda potato stuff, pasta salad, cheese, bread, mini bratwursts, and lots of other delicious foods. But the most amazing part of the entire night was the little plastic things in a basket on the table. I kid you not, you might want to sit down for this, it was a wine holder that clipped to your plate so you could stand and eat and not have to worry about holding your wine (which according to the french was crap) I am inclined to agree, because it was very, very dry, but no matter, it was free, so indulge. Needless to say, we stuffed ourselves. And then we went to the University of Stockholm for a party. On the way there, about a hundred of us walked past a parked VW jetta I think (perhaps all jetta drivers are jerks) anyway, we had all been drinking, and long story short, I touched the car kinda like a rail to kinda gather my balance, and whatever else. The important part is, I didn't kick it, I didn't punch it, I simply rested my hand on it as we walked past, its a bad habit I guess. So the car honks, and this punky looking guy gets out of it, runs up to me, and starts yelling at me about his car, and how if it was damaged I was going to pay for it. I threw my hands up and said whoa man, I don't wanna fight, I'm sorry I touched your car, I assure you it was not damaged. So finally this kid retreats back into his car. A couple of people assured me that everyone is not like that, he was just being "cool." But I learned that perhaps I shouldn't touch cars at all costs. So that was the closest I have come to getting into a fight. But there is no need to worry about fighting here, becuase number one, Swedes are kinda wimps, maybe not the ones who work up north, or down south, but the punk teenagers in the city are wimps...if its a fin, give em what they want because they'll kick your butt, but Swedes talk a big game, but are not so tough (I get this information on high authority from a Swedish friend of mine). Plus they are really skinny, and dress like the goth kids in teenage sex comedies. But most importantly, you're not allowed to have weapons in Sweden, so you won't get stabbed or shot, just maybe a black eye. Punk kids!!! This documents the second night where some punk Swedish kid has tried to ruin a night of fun by starting a fight. Anyway, after kinda talkin' for a while, I figured I better get home and finish my paper. So I did. And here I am....YAY!!!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Finally a new post
Sorry for the delay on the new post, but I'm busy, unmotivated, and scatterbrained so remembering to update a blog is not one of my many talents. Anyway...
Since last we left off I had just played at a club in Stockholm city. That night I went to a party which was fun, but on the way back on the bus was the real fun. Picture this: 50 drunk europeans on a crowded bus, me sitting on the floor becasue if I stand for too long I'll be sick...and given the circumstances, that would be a bad thing. Anyway one of them says "come on tennesse man (this is my new nickname which I am very fond of, too bad I can't keep it when I go home) play us something. So they start chanting, so I oblige. I played the whole way home, and they sang along, and it was freakin' awesome. My ego went up like 10 points. It would cap one of the greatest all around days ever!!!
On the subject of me rocking in stockholm (a subject I like) I played again at the club in Gamla Stan, but this time for two sets. I met about a bzillion people, alot of them musicians who are interested in playing with me more. But the coolest part by far was when I got off the stage the second time a guy comes over to me, gives me his card, tells me his name, that he ws just in memphis (to which I replied me too), that he works for the Swedish blues magazine, and that he'd like my email so he can ask me some questions...as in interview me. He's going to help me find places to play, people to play with, and places to hear music. It was pretty cool.
But, Stockholm specific stuff...I SAW THE SUN!!! It was glorious. All bright and in the sky. Anyway...still not much snow to speak of, but I leave for lapland which is the north on feb. 28th where I have a good chance of seeing the northern lights, and an almost certain chance of seeing snow. Speaking of upcoming trips, I booked my easter vacation with emily to Berlin, Brussels, AMsterdam, and Hamburg which I am really excited about. And, I almost wound up in Sicily this weekend. The story goes like this: My pal jen and I are looking for a place to go real cheap with ryan air. We find a cheap ticket to Sardinia (near sicily, islands off the southern coast of Italy) at first I'm real excited, but then I check the weather, and it turns out its not a real good time to go there becuase its a beach resort, and the weather is cold and rainy. Anyway, long story short, I look up and see the screen loading, and then jen says YES!! we're going to sicily. So I go home and think about it, and after doing some reading on it determine that it is a BAD idea, taking into account the weather, the price of hostels, the lack of prep time for a country where no one I MEAN NO ONE speaks english, the warnings that everyone tries to take advantage of non-italian speakers there, and about nine million other reasons. Anyway, ryan air doesn't give refunds, so I'm in this for 120 bucks one way or another. So in the morning I call customer support who were absolute a-holes, but I got the flight moved to London on April 3rd for only 7 pounds, so problem solved.
I have been cooking lots of pasta since I got here because pasta and dairy are the cheap things here. I've made some pretty awesome creations. We are having an international dinner tonight where everyone is supposed to bring a dish from their country, I'm bringing beer battered chicken and pickles with homemade ranch...its really good. Speaking of food, there is an International students dinner at the place where they give out the nebel prize on wednesday. It is a really big deal and its supposed to be a huge honor to go, plus the food is supposed to be the best in Sweden and the wine is supposed to be amazing too.
The swedish people, while they take a while to warm up to you, are not as rude as I once thought. Apparently I just had a couple of bad experiences. I've actually met a good deal of swedish people, some in my building, and a bunch at the club. They are very nice and hospitable once youget to know them.
Class is...well, class actually wasn't this past week. My professor cancels class alot because he is sick, but he usually wants to make them up. We're all probably going to bail on the makeup, cause this week was supposed to be the last class for the term, and we all planned trips and stuff. I have to write a term paper though which is due on friday where I will basically try to convince myself that the swedish system isn't too big brother for me, or essentially that the amount of Big Brotherness is infact a good thing the way it is executed. We'll see how that goes.
I will hopefully be going to coppenhagen in the next few days, so I will have more to share after that, but for now, love from Sweden,
ME
Since last we left off I had just played at a club in Stockholm city. That night I went to a party which was fun, but on the way back on the bus was the real fun. Picture this: 50 drunk europeans on a crowded bus, me sitting on the floor becasue if I stand for too long I'll be sick...and given the circumstances, that would be a bad thing. Anyway one of them says "come on tennesse man (this is my new nickname which I am very fond of, too bad I can't keep it when I go home) play us something. So they start chanting, so I oblige. I played the whole way home, and they sang along, and it was freakin' awesome. My ego went up like 10 points. It would cap one of the greatest all around days ever!!!
On the subject of me rocking in stockholm (a subject I like) I played again at the club in Gamla Stan, but this time for two sets. I met about a bzillion people, alot of them musicians who are interested in playing with me more. But the coolest part by far was when I got off the stage the second time a guy comes over to me, gives me his card, tells me his name, that he ws just in memphis (to which I replied me too), that he works for the Swedish blues magazine, and that he'd like my email so he can ask me some questions...as in interview me. He's going to help me find places to play, people to play with, and places to hear music. It was pretty cool.
But, Stockholm specific stuff...I SAW THE SUN!!! It was glorious. All bright and in the sky. Anyway...still not much snow to speak of, but I leave for lapland which is the north on feb. 28th where I have a good chance of seeing the northern lights, and an almost certain chance of seeing snow. Speaking of upcoming trips, I booked my easter vacation with emily to Berlin, Brussels, AMsterdam, and Hamburg which I am really excited about. And, I almost wound up in Sicily this weekend. The story goes like this: My pal jen and I are looking for a place to go real cheap with ryan air. We find a cheap ticket to Sardinia (near sicily, islands off the southern coast of Italy) at first I'm real excited, but then I check the weather, and it turns out its not a real good time to go there becuase its a beach resort, and the weather is cold and rainy. Anyway, long story short, I look up and see the screen loading, and then jen says YES!! we're going to sicily. So I go home and think about it, and after doing some reading on it determine that it is a BAD idea, taking into account the weather, the price of hostels, the lack of prep time for a country where no one I MEAN NO ONE speaks english, the warnings that everyone tries to take advantage of non-italian speakers there, and about nine million other reasons. Anyway, ryan air doesn't give refunds, so I'm in this for 120 bucks one way or another. So in the morning I call customer support who were absolute a-holes, but I got the flight moved to London on April 3rd for only 7 pounds, so problem solved.
I have been cooking lots of pasta since I got here because pasta and dairy are the cheap things here. I've made some pretty awesome creations. We are having an international dinner tonight where everyone is supposed to bring a dish from their country, I'm bringing beer battered chicken and pickles with homemade ranch...its really good. Speaking of food, there is an International students dinner at the place where they give out the nebel prize on wednesday. It is a really big deal and its supposed to be a huge honor to go, plus the food is supposed to be the best in Sweden and the wine is supposed to be amazing too.
The swedish people, while they take a while to warm up to you, are not as rude as I once thought. Apparently I just had a couple of bad experiences. I've actually met a good deal of swedish people, some in my building, and a bunch at the club. They are very nice and hospitable once youget to know them.
Class is...well, class actually wasn't this past week. My professor cancels class alot because he is sick, but he usually wants to make them up. We're all probably going to bail on the makeup, cause this week was supposed to be the last class for the term, and we all planned trips and stuff. I have to write a term paper though which is due on friday where I will basically try to convince myself that the swedish system isn't too big brother for me, or essentially that the amount of Big Brotherness is infact a good thing the way it is executed. We'll see how that goes.
I will hopefully be going to coppenhagen in the next few days, so I will have more to share after that, but for now, love from Sweden,
ME
Saturday, February 2, 2008
THANKYOU STOCKHOLM
Alright, I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I must share, then I will talk about more Stockholm specific experiences. But-- so my new friend Aguida tells me of this blues club called Stampen in Stockholm city, and that there is an open Jam on Saturday from 2-6. Its like playing at night cause its always freaking dark in Stockholm. We get there, and it is like walking into a bar in the states...except in Swedish, but people were singing in English...its the blues. Anyway, its packed, I mean jam packed, standing room only, and not much to speak of, as in you have to push to make it anywhere. All I brought was my acoustic for obvious reasons, but the owner of the bar let me use his stratocaster which was very nice other than the really low action (sorry guitar nerd). Anyway I talked with a lot of the musicians before hand--we were all taking turns, and then I finally got to go up. Luckily I had my Jack Daniels in my guitar case, so nerves were not an issue. Anyway, I got up there, and the first two were just someone singing and me doing some soloing...which I did like a beast if you will. Everyone was so friendly. I tried to get some of the guys to do some call and response with me, but they didn't seem comfortable doing it I guess. Anyway, the guy asked me if I wanted to sing one, so of course, I did. I ripped of a tasty lick in E and kinda just went with the flow into my own version of Eric Clapton's Before you accused me. The monitors were really crappy so I couldn't hear myself sing very well, but if they didn't like it, they are really good liars. Then I took over the jam in that song, mixing it up, bringing the volue down and back up, and kinda ridin' the rythym section more. When we finally ended it people clapped and cheered and I smiled real big and waved, but I didn't say THANKYOU STOCKHOLM which I kinda regret, but I guess it is for the best. But it was absolutely amazing, Swedes were getting my attention and shaking my hand and congratulating me the entire way out. It was absolutely amazing. I haven't felt that much immortality since the second night at beale street, but I'm pretty sure this was better. I don't think I know anyone who has played in Stockholm, so take that snooty guys at the acoustic. Aguida is like my new best friend. My first experience with live music in Stockholm included me!!!
More Observations:
1.) Musicians are pretty much the greatest people in the world(with lots of exceptions of course). Sweden--a country of predominantly rude people, and I go into a music club, knowing nothing about the people I am playing with, and like so many musicians that I have played with anywhere, its like "you are a good musician" and you are friends.
2.) Swedes other than the people who want to meet foreigners, are rude...atleast by my SOuthern Amerocentric standards.
3.) Swedish food, not so good. Food that is available in Sweden from other countries, very good. Desserts in Sweden pretty dern good. Beer from Sweeden, piss water with a hint of hot dogs i.e. as the french would say"it is crap"
4.) Global warming-an inconvienent yet undeniable fact (more on this to come.)
5.) The sun-I think it still exists, but I'm not sure
And for all my friends in JC who will enjoy this one the most, my first experience with culture shock: Take into mind that I would've experienced the same thing had I been in NY or any other Northern city. So I was putzing around Stockholm with my good buddy Jen from PA near the NY border i.e. she's most definately a Yankee. So we are catching the subway to get back to central station. We see the train and run to it when a guy jumps in front of us, prys open the doors and squeezes on. Jen, being the rude yankee she is does the same thing. In awe at the audacity of such a feat I am not yet on the train when the conductor comes down, jumps in front of me, and in Swedish curses out Jen and the guy scolding them for squeezing on to the train or something. All the while I am standing there thinking," I'll be patient and she'll let me on when she gets out of the way, after all I am standing right behind her, it is obvious I want to get on the train." I am SO wrong. She pulls the doors shut, pushes me out of the way, and loads up and drives off. As I am standing there looking at Jen through the window mouthing WHAT THE i won't say the word in case my mother is reading, she looks at me laughing. Long story short SWEDES AND YANKEES GET ALONG WELL CAUSE THEY ARE BOTH RUDE. So for all of you back home in JC I will concede that with many exceptions that the percieved standards that we equate to rudeness in the South most certainly caught me off guard. While I maintain that I would rather get used to that than continue to deal with a lot of the things I hate about the south, ultimately, I am glad I am from the south, especially when I am around people who aren't. I feel so superiorly cultured and NOT RUDE. There is a Texan who is obsessed with texas, but I am the only southerner here...and you can tell. Matt's a good guy, but there ain't a southern bone in his body.
P.S. ever wonder why midwesterners are so cold and weird and rude...they are swedish immigrants.
I love this city though. The city itself would be breathtaking if the sun were ever out and you could see it. And the people once you get used to them, especially the ones who are dealing with you because they want to and not because they have to are awesome. Oh yeah, and I found a music store where I spent a few hours the other day, and I made a friend named Floran(I'm surely spelling this wrong my appologies) who is from France, and guess what...SLash is his idle and he plays guitar. We are going to go into the city and rock one of the music stores util they kick us out. Then we will find another one.
Observations about other countries based on my Amerocentric view of the world, and the few people I have met from those countries.
France: The french have the best taste in music of anyone ever. They all teach me many things which I would be lost without knowing like:
1.) German futbol is crap
2.) The wine in Sweden is crap
3.) The beer in Sweden is crap (I agree)
4.) Many cities in France are crap
5.) The cider at dinner last night is Shit(a more extreme version of crap) (also agreed)
6.) Italian futbol players are crybaby's which is crap
7.) English Futbol players get red cards a lot...not crap
8.) The French only like sports that France sucks at...which is crap
Italians...think Elliott meets drunk Nathan combining all the really friendly qualities to form one super friendly, really loud, loveable fella.
Germans...they come in many sizes, some adorable and small, some tall, but one thing in common. If you don't know where you are, follow a familiar looking German, cause they don't mess.
Spanish...they like to party!!! Also very friendly.
Mexicans...very pretty, very small (guys too), also like to party, and very friendly.
Brits...my teacher is the only British guy, and I'm pretty sure that he doesn't know what to do with me cause I'm so loud and so animated, but I can tell he enjoys having me in the class, which is what is important. He says RIGHT alot. It makes me happy.
Americans...We are a country of very big people. I am around average size for an AMerican male, where I am from, I am short. Here in the land of the European giants I am actually taller comparatively than I am in JC. Many americans are very silly because when they talk to people from another country about something really basic, they'll try to explain it like they don't have it in Europe or something. Like High school or something. I'm like "they're europeans, not space aliens" WHich usually makes them smile and the Americans look at me like WTF.
Love from Sweden. Ending Transmission.
More Observations:
1.) Musicians are pretty much the greatest people in the world(with lots of exceptions of course). Sweden--a country of predominantly rude people, and I go into a music club, knowing nothing about the people I am playing with, and like so many musicians that I have played with anywhere, its like "you are a good musician" and you are friends.
2.) Swedes other than the people who want to meet foreigners, are rude...atleast by my SOuthern Amerocentric standards.
3.) Swedish food, not so good. Food that is available in Sweden from other countries, very good. Desserts in Sweden pretty dern good. Beer from Sweeden, piss water with a hint of hot dogs i.e. as the french would say"it is crap"
4.) Global warming-an inconvienent yet undeniable fact (more on this to come.)
5.) The sun-I think it still exists, but I'm not sure
And for all my friends in JC who will enjoy this one the most, my first experience with culture shock: Take into mind that I would've experienced the same thing had I been in NY or any other Northern city. So I was putzing around Stockholm with my good buddy Jen from PA near the NY border i.e. she's most definately a Yankee. So we are catching the subway to get back to central station. We see the train and run to it when a guy jumps in front of us, prys open the doors and squeezes on. Jen, being the rude yankee she is does the same thing. In awe at the audacity of such a feat I am not yet on the train when the conductor comes down, jumps in front of me, and in Swedish curses out Jen and the guy scolding them for squeezing on to the train or something. All the while I am standing there thinking," I'll be patient and she'll let me on when she gets out of the way, after all I am standing right behind her, it is obvious I want to get on the train." I am SO wrong. She pulls the doors shut, pushes me out of the way, and loads up and drives off. As I am standing there looking at Jen through the window mouthing WHAT THE i won't say the word in case my mother is reading, she looks at me laughing. Long story short SWEDES AND YANKEES GET ALONG WELL CAUSE THEY ARE BOTH RUDE. So for all of you back home in JC I will concede that with many exceptions that the percieved standards that we equate to rudeness in the South most certainly caught me off guard. While I maintain that I would rather get used to that than continue to deal with a lot of the things I hate about the south, ultimately, I am glad I am from the south, especially when I am around people who aren't. I feel so superiorly cultured and NOT RUDE. There is a Texan who is obsessed with texas, but I am the only southerner here...and you can tell. Matt's a good guy, but there ain't a southern bone in his body.
P.S. ever wonder why midwesterners are so cold and weird and rude...they are swedish immigrants.
I love this city though. The city itself would be breathtaking if the sun were ever out and you could see it. And the people once you get used to them, especially the ones who are dealing with you because they want to and not because they have to are awesome. Oh yeah, and I found a music store where I spent a few hours the other day, and I made a friend named Floran(I'm surely spelling this wrong my appologies) who is from France, and guess what...SLash is his idle and he plays guitar. We are going to go into the city and rock one of the music stores util they kick us out. Then we will find another one.
Observations about other countries based on my Amerocentric view of the world, and the few people I have met from those countries.
France: The french have the best taste in music of anyone ever. They all teach me many things which I would be lost without knowing like:
1.) German futbol is crap
2.) The wine in Sweden is crap
3.) The beer in Sweden is crap (I agree)
4.) Many cities in France are crap
5.) The cider at dinner last night is Shit(a more extreme version of crap) (also agreed)
6.) Italian futbol players are crybaby's which is crap
7.) English Futbol players get red cards a lot...not crap
8.) The French only like sports that France sucks at...which is crap
Italians...think Elliott meets drunk Nathan combining all the really friendly qualities to form one super friendly, really loud, loveable fella.
Germans...they come in many sizes, some adorable and small, some tall, but one thing in common. If you don't know where you are, follow a familiar looking German, cause they don't mess.
Spanish...they like to party!!! Also very friendly.
Mexicans...very pretty, very small (guys too), also like to party, and very friendly.
Brits...my teacher is the only British guy, and I'm pretty sure that he doesn't know what to do with me cause I'm so loud and so animated, but I can tell he enjoys having me in the class, which is what is important. He says RIGHT alot. It makes me happy.
Americans...We are a country of very big people. I am around average size for an AMerican male, where I am from, I am short. Here in the land of the European giants I am actually taller comparatively than I am in JC. Many americans are very silly because when they talk to people from another country about something really basic, they'll try to explain it like they don't have it in Europe or something. Like High school or something. I'm like "they're europeans, not space aliens" WHich usually makes them smile and the Americans look at me like WTF.
Love from Sweden. Ending Transmission.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Well, it's been a while since my last post, so I guess its high time I do some updatin'. I'm officially really glad I came. Everything about this place is amazing. But as usual, I have stuff to complain about, which is what makes for the best stories; and then I'll share all the amazing stuff.
First though, Swedish bus drivers are assholes. Two separte stories prove that it is not just a fluke.
1.) 20 of us exchange students are standing at the bus stop in the bitter Swedish night time cold (i.e. -5C). The bus driver drives by, we are all standing at the bus stop, not near it, by it. We all have our bus passes out and are ready. We have even started to que for the bus line. The asshole keeps on driving, doesn't stop so we have to wait thirty minutes for the next one which to avoid the same fiasco we form a blockade in the middle of the road to make sure the asshole stops.
2.) Today we took a tour of Stockholm. Anyway, a friend and I were on a bus heading back from the Vasser museum to central Stockholm, but we got on the bus going the wrong direction. After realizing this we figured we would just ride it until it turned around. So the bus gets to the outskirts of bumblefuck stockholm, stops, and the busdriver opens the doors and says "get out." Dumbfounded we get off and start headin back the other direction to find a bus stop going the right direction. During our walk, a bus that we need is approaching before we get to the bus stop. I kid you not, I run out in front of the bus, wave my bus pass, expecting him to stop. The asshole keeps driving. I'm pretty sure if I hadn't have moved, he would've hit me.
Anyway, those are my fuck Swedish bus drivers stories. But as I said, this place is amazing. I went to a party on thursday and one on friday with all the international students (the swedes kinda keep to themselves). Long story short it took 5 beers and a good amount of whiskey for me to be as openly affectionate as the Italinas at the second one, but they were both a lot of fun, and I met a lot of really cool people. I even played some guitar and we all sang, and then I sang, and there was yelling and laughing and mor esinging. A fun time was had indeed.
Today, as I said , was the bus and walking tour through stockholm which is an amazingly beautiful city. There are pictures coming on facebook as soon as I file through the crap and the good stuff. We also went to the Vasser museum. The Vasser is a big Swedish navy ship that sunk 1.2 km into its maiden voyage because it was built poorly. Infact the entire Swedish Naval history appears to be one embarrasment after another. But we learned alot about Swedish history on the tour, in specific that any statue where a night is fighting a dragon, the dragon represents evil which is Denmark. The Danes apparently did terrible horrible no good things to the Swedes a long time ago, and the Swedes hold a serious grudge. I'm running out of things to say because I am so tired I am falling asleep while I am typing, but I absolutely love it here. Truth be told, its not so much Sweden that's so amazing. I could feasibly be anywhere with all these international students, and the best parts would still be loads of fun. I haven't experienced the nightclubs yet. Those are yet to come, and I look forward to them a lot. Until next time. Transmission out.
First though, Swedish bus drivers are assholes. Two separte stories prove that it is not just a fluke.
1.) 20 of us exchange students are standing at the bus stop in the bitter Swedish night time cold (i.e. -5C). The bus driver drives by, we are all standing at the bus stop, not near it, by it. We all have our bus passes out and are ready. We have even started to que for the bus line. The asshole keeps on driving, doesn't stop so we have to wait thirty minutes for the next one which to avoid the same fiasco we form a blockade in the middle of the road to make sure the asshole stops.
2.) Today we took a tour of Stockholm. Anyway, a friend and I were on a bus heading back from the Vasser museum to central Stockholm, but we got on the bus going the wrong direction. After realizing this we figured we would just ride it until it turned around. So the bus gets to the outskirts of bumblefuck stockholm, stops, and the busdriver opens the doors and says "get out." Dumbfounded we get off and start headin back the other direction to find a bus stop going the right direction. During our walk, a bus that we need is approaching before we get to the bus stop. I kid you not, I run out in front of the bus, wave my bus pass, expecting him to stop. The asshole keeps driving. I'm pretty sure if I hadn't have moved, he would've hit me.
Anyway, those are my fuck Swedish bus drivers stories. But as I said, this place is amazing. I went to a party on thursday and one on friday with all the international students (the swedes kinda keep to themselves). Long story short it took 5 beers and a good amount of whiskey for me to be as openly affectionate as the Italinas at the second one, but they were both a lot of fun, and I met a lot of really cool people. I even played some guitar and we all sang, and then I sang, and there was yelling and laughing and mor esinging. A fun time was had indeed.
Today, as I said , was the bus and walking tour through stockholm which is an amazingly beautiful city. There are pictures coming on facebook as soon as I file through the crap and the good stuff. We also went to the Vasser museum. The Vasser is a big Swedish navy ship that sunk 1.2 km into its maiden voyage because it was built poorly. Infact the entire Swedish Naval history appears to be one embarrasment after another. But we learned alot about Swedish history on the tour, in specific that any statue where a night is fighting a dragon, the dragon represents evil which is Denmark. The Danes apparently did terrible horrible no good things to the Swedes a long time ago, and the Swedes hold a serious grudge. I'm running out of things to say because I am so tired I am falling asleep while I am typing, but I absolutely love it here. Truth be told, its not so much Sweden that's so amazing. I could feasibly be anywhere with all these international students, and the best parts would still be loads of fun. I haven't experienced the nightclubs yet. Those are yet to come, and I look forward to them a lot. Until next time. Transmission out.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Getting better everyday
Today was the first day of classes. I went to my first class, Nordic Politics, which seems to be very interesting. The teacher is really nice and encourages student participation which is nice because the last thing I want to do is listen to some pretentious academic ramble on for 2 hrs everyday. The class is only 7 people with three from france, 2 from the U.S. 1 from nepal and 1 from sierra leone. I learned today the difference between a parlimentary and a presidential system (good stuff to know). We hit the ground running tomorrow. Best part is that all the reading assignments are real vague. They say to read the introductory article to a series, and read further if we are interested, and then we discuss in class. Its both exciting and nerve racking because most of the articles are online meaning I have to navigate a swedish website.
I am excited because I am actually meeting people. I'm doing my best to be as social as possible, but I am very shy, so it is difficult. I did manage to make a friend. He is from texas, and despite that fact seems like a pretty good guy. Its nice to have someone to talk to...even if he is a texan who thinks that beef barbeque is not only acceptable, which it is not, but that texas is the world capital of barbecue...he's crazy. But I dye grass. This place is slowly growing on me, although if there were more than 20 minutes of daylight a day, I might like it a little better. It snowed a little bit today, but not enough to play in. I'm sure I'll get my snow soon enough.
New thing learned:
Swedes speaking English, particularly the international students woman (maria costa of Sodertorns Hogskola) is positively adorable. I want a little swedish woman plushy.
Swedes still love hairgel...alot...and tight pants...but hairgel more.
I am excited because I am actually meeting people. I'm doing my best to be as social as possible, but I am very shy, so it is difficult. I did manage to make a friend. He is from texas, and despite that fact seems like a pretty good guy. Its nice to have someone to talk to...even if he is a texan who thinks that beef barbeque is not only acceptable, which it is not, but that texas is the world capital of barbecue...he's crazy. But I dye grass. This place is slowly growing on me, although if there were more than 20 minutes of daylight a day, I might like it a little better. It snowed a little bit today, but not enough to play in. I'm sure I'll get my snow soon enough.
New thing learned:
Swedes speaking English, particularly the international students woman (maria costa of Sodertorns Hogskola) is positively adorable. I want a little swedish woman plushy.
Swedes still love hairgel...alot...and tight pants...but hairgel more.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Stockholm day 2
These posts will grow far less frequent as I hope to meet people and have a little less time to myself in the near future. But for now I have nothing better to do than to update, or in this case, begin, my blog.
So, after waking up at midnight from my 8 hour jetlag recovery nap, I putzed around for a few hours and then fell back asleep until, get this, 2:00p.m. Bringing my grand sleep total to nearly 24 hours. Booyah. Anyway, today I decided to take the train into Stockholm, wander around the city without the burden of two fifty pound bags, get some stuff I needed, and acclamate myself with my surroundings. So I felt like a total bad ass navigating the rail system in Stockholm by myself, as none of it was in english, and I'm new to the whole train thing (but I'm not afraid of them). I got off at Stockholm central and wandered around for a while until heading back into Huddinge (a suburb) to buy groceries, and then back to Riksten (another suburb) to my room. The whole adventure took about 6ish hours. The following is a list of stuff I have learned about Sweden:
1) SWEDES DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH!!!
yes, they know english, and when forced to speak it, they usually can; yes most of the pop culture is in English, but they speak Swedish. They write in Swedish. The signs are in Swedish, the train station is in Swedish, Mcdonalds is in Swedish, the grocery store is in Swedish, and yes, the bus stop is in Swedish. Saying the country speaks English is a gross exaggeration. They know it, but they don't want to speak it. That's why they invented Swedish...seriously.
2) It's not that cold.
When you think Sweden you think far North, Baltic Sea, really cold. Truth be told, Stockholm gets the same North Atlantic Current that England gets. It's not really that cold. It rains. It's dark save like 3 hours, but its not the frigid subarctic wasteland you'd expect. Infact, all I've done since I got here is sweat. It's chilly, and certainly not swimmin' weather, but bring a decent overcoat and an umbrella and ur good.
3) It's freakin' expensive
bottled water 20sek=3.25ish
month transportation pass 650sek=120ish
train to destination for unfortunate traveler who didn't know that the word bus pass doesn't translate and bought single tickets as a result
169sek+30ish
making this mistake once more 50sek=8ish
NOTICE I HAVEN'T EATEN YET!!!
4) Swedish showers are weird
there is no end of shower-beginning of rest of bathroom. You shower on the floor. WEIRD
5) Swedes love HAIRGEL
I haven't seen this much product usage since...okay to be fair I did live with Jason, but everyones hair looks like Sid Vicious.
6) If Sweden were highschool the gothy, punky, lipringy kids would be the popular kids.
So I'm learning a lot. Oh, and I saw the scariest man on all of planet earth today. I would have taken a picture, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have shown up. I'm not kidding, I curled up in the train station corner and shivered and cried...well I would have, but every kid within a square mile was doing just that, and all the good corners were taken.
Last but not least, I saw the first use of "taugen" today. Apparently its not as popular a sound as I once thought. My love to everyone. Pictures are soon to come.
So, after waking up at midnight from my 8 hour jetlag recovery nap, I putzed around for a few hours and then fell back asleep until, get this, 2:00p.m. Bringing my grand sleep total to nearly 24 hours. Booyah. Anyway, today I decided to take the train into Stockholm, wander around the city without the burden of two fifty pound bags, get some stuff I needed, and acclamate myself with my surroundings. So I felt like a total bad ass navigating the rail system in Stockholm by myself, as none of it was in english, and I'm new to the whole train thing (but I'm not afraid of them). I got off at Stockholm central and wandered around for a while until heading back into Huddinge (a suburb) to buy groceries, and then back to Riksten (another suburb) to my room. The whole adventure took about 6ish hours. The following is a list of stuff I have learned about Sweden:
1) SWEDES DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH!!!
yes, they know english, and when forced to speak it, they usually can; yes most of the pop culture is in English, but they speak Swedish. They write in Swedish. The signs are in Swedish, the train station is in Swedish, Mcdonalds is in Swedish, the grocery store is in Swedish, and yes, the bus stop is in Swedish. Saying the country speaks English is a gross exaggeration. They know it, but they don't want to speak it. That's why they invented Swedish...seriously.
2) It's not that cold.
When you think Sweden you think far North, Baltic Sea, really cold. Truth be told, Stockholm gets the same North Atlantic Current that England gets. It's not really that cold. It rains. It's dark save like 3 hours, but its not the frigid subarctic wasteland you'd expect. Infact, all I've done since I got here is sweat. It's chilly, and certainly not swimmin' weather, but bring a decent overcoat and an umbrella and ur good.
3) It's freakin' expensive
bottled water 20sek=3.25ish
month transportation pass 650sek=120ish
train to destination for unfortunate traveler who didn't know that the word bus pass doesn't translate and bought single tickets as a result
169sek+30ish
making this mistake once more 50sek=8ish
NOTICE I HAVEN'T EATEN YET!!!
4) Swedish showers are weird
there is no end of shower-beginning of rest of bathroom. You shower on the floor. WEIRD
5) Swedes love HAIRGEL
I haven't seen this much product usage since...okay to be fair I did live with Jason, but everyones hair looks like Sid Vicious.
6) If Sweden were highschool the gothy, punky, lipringy kids would be the popular kids.
So I'm learning a lot. Oh, and I saw the scariest man on all of planet earth today. I would have taken a picture, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have shown up. I'm not kidding, I curled up in the train station corner and shivered and cried...well I would have, but every kid within a square mile was doing just that, and all the good corners were taken.
Last but not least, I saw the first use of "taugen" today. Apparently its not as popular a sound as I once thought. My love to everyone. Pictures are soon to come.
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