Standing still in Sweden

That feeling of being in the middle of nowhere: Sweden

Having spent most of my two years abroad here, I feel it safe to declare that Sweden was one of only a few countries I really feel comfortable in.  By this I mean that rare sense of security and self-assurance that comes from not fearing that danger lurks around the corner (except maybe if you were a cyclist in Toronto - then your just screwed) and not being leered at or bothered (well ok wearing a big mushroom cap hat and childish mittens assured I'd be kept off the radar).

Stockholm. Yep still cold.

Sweden is really much more than IKEA (I like the IKEA man), Swedish meatballs, blonde people, and knackebroed  -but Swedes don't really let you in on the secret until they get to know you a bit better (read: 3< years). No not even after downing a few bottles of local ol (beer) although it does go a long way. No Swedes are just...special...but also the most genuine and independent people I've met.  The country itself makes an example of values that we thought we had pegged like equality, appreciation for nature (thats right I had to google the Canadian national anthem to compare - there's no shame in that), walking in heels and tights in the dead of winter, and hell they even speak our own language pretty decently.

What I DON'T miss about Sweden:
1) The 7 months of darkness during the long winter season. And I still resent having to winter pant suit up just to go hiking in the woods.  But if anything, atleast the snow stays white and clean for much longer than it does on a typical Toronto street.

Uppsala (close to the Economikum)

Welcome here. Welcome home. Uppsala

2) I don't enjoy not fitting into any pants I buy there (bizarre freak mutation in Swedes - what's the advantage? getting further away from the warmth of the floor?).

Uppsala

Lining up for fika brunch

3) Pancake and pea soup Thursdays (serious? they've take a novelty cafeteria idea and unilaterally decided that institutionalising it was a good thing. I beg to differ. Cream on pancakes is not an afternoon meal).
4) I don't like how the supermarkets never have much more than root vegetables and pasta.
5) I don't like how the currency just doesn't make sense (why can't they be the same size?? and eliminate the 50 ore? really? makes it easier to count change).
6) I call it super equality. The Swedes call it Jantelagen. Does it hinder the learning process? Yes, I believe it does.
7) The word 'Lagom'. It has no meaning! Do you want more or less or not at all?
8) I don't like the vanity (cough cough Stockholmers cough cough. Men are not exempted).
9) Living in the middle of nowhere (serious did YOU know where Sweden was before I mentioned it? no not Switzerland)
10) Paying to use the toilets. Even in the malls.


What I DO miss about Sweden:
1) How I can wear a slouchy sweater, leggings and boots and call that an outfit without even trying.
2) Dinsko.
3) Daim chocolate (hurrah I've found that IKEA stores here sell it).
4) The coffee. 
5) Systembolaget is evil but such a necessary evil.
6) The lipbalm (the nice green bottle where you can just slide the balm up). 
7) The nice Swedish summer (when its usual that the entire day be sunny).
8) Nature.
9) The Swedish language. Listen to IKEA man. How can you not love it (this is just funny)? 
10) The individual washrooms. And the little indicators to say its occupied. Yah no more having to surreptitiously check for feet poking out.
11) Fika. No not the Italian meaning. I would not encourage you to use that word whilst in Italy. The Swedes have taken the coffee break to a higher level.
12) That no one begrudges the grocery bag fee. Why are we such stuck-up prisses and why not fork over the 5 cents?