Girl In Stockholm

Välkommen till Sverige! Almost.

2011-06-29T15:51:00.000+02:00

It's here. It's time! 2 more days and I will be on my way to Stockholm. And lucky for me, my friends are picking me up from Arlanda Airport so I won't have to deal with paying $80 for a taxi or taking the Arlanda Express after hours and hours of traveling. Plans are well under way as I have a pool party to go to Saturday night (Hawaiian themed so had to bring an outfit. And I had to check if the pool was heated. Otherwise, I'm not getting in. Luckily, it is.) and a girls night out on 4th of July to see Alice Cooper at Tivoli Gröna Lund amusement park. That's right. I said Alice Cooper. Those Swedes love their heavy metal.

Tivoli Grona Lund

Finnish Fashion Shows

2011-06-20T20:21:00.003+02:00

During my first visit to Scandinavia in summer of 2008, one of the stops in Finland was a town called Jyväskylä, where my friend had gone to University. One evening we met up with some Finnish friends at a bar, had drinks and then ate dinner at a restaurant called the American Kitchen. Everyone knows the stereotype of American food portion sizes, which are mostly true at quite a few restaurants in the states. Well, one of the guys ordered a burrito. There were 2 very interesting things about this. One, the burrito was served on top of waffle fries. And, it was the biggest burrito I have ever seen in my life. Keep in mind I have eaten a lot of Mexican food. In a lot of different places. The guy that ordered this was tall but a very slender build. I wondered how he would even eat half of it. Shockingly he ate every single bit of it. Not because he was that hungry. Because people do not waste food in Scandinavian countries. They eat everything on their plate. It is considered rude and wasteful not to. Still, an impressive feat regardless of the cultural expectations.

So, at some point later in the night there were 3 of us left. We decide to go to a large nightclub with several floors and different rooms. One interesting thing about many European men compared to American ones is that if they drink enough, they will dance all night long. It is fantastic. And entertaining. As we sat in one of the dance rooms people watching, I quickly noticed a group of guys dancing. They were totally committed to their cause and nothing was going to stop them. Think Night at The Roxbury on SNL, but way funnier. I have never laughed so hard in my entire life than I did during this moment. I couldn't stop laughing. I usually worry about being to obvious and loud and obnoxious as an American abroad but I couldn't help myself. Soon, the bartenders all noticed me hysterically laughing at the dancers and actually started laughing with me. Which is something if you have ever met a sober Finnish man (I am partly kidding my lovely Finnish friends, but you get it).

We later moved to another floor where a "Fashion Show" would be starting shortly. I was thinking, cool! A fashion show! Turns out it was just 4 beautiful girls doing dance routines and then changing into less and less clothes between each song until they were down to swimwear. Interesting. Despite the cultural differences between Finland and the U.S., some things are universal. Like the men flocking around the stage with their tongues hanging out at even the hint of a naked woman.

Here are some pictures from that Fashion Show, in order of appearance:

Reading Hamlet For Fun: It's Harder Than You Think

2011-06-08T16:29:00.001+02:00

In preparation of my visit to Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Denmark this summer, I thought I would re-read Hamlet. This is, after all, the castle where the famous Shakespeare tragedy takes place so it seemed like a great idea at the time. So far I have read about 20 pages but since I have started I intend to finish it! Guess there is a reason they make you read this stuff in high school. I figure it is a great sleep aid on those nights when you need a little extra help.

Photo: Lookon.net

Photo: cphlimo.com

There and Back Again

2011-05-11T17:36:00.000+02:00

I haven't posted anything in a while, but I have been busy and a lot has happened since my last entry. I have been back in the U.S. for a bit, which has pros and cons, one of the pros being the gorgeous summer weather here in South Florida. The good news is I will be back in Stockholm on July 1st!!! I can't wait to get back and am counting down the days. I miss my friends, the magical summer weather and the city. Trips are also planned to Copenhagen, Helsinki, maybe Gothenburg and who knows where else.....

Fall in Stockholm & Searching for the Sun

2010-09-20T23:31:00.005+02:00

Fall has been here in Stockholm for about a month now, but the past week has been especially grey and dreary with temps in the low 50's and cloud cover so heavy that you can barely guess where the sun might be. For the 1st few weeks I was thrilled to be wearing my fall clothes, that as a Floridian, I normally get to wear only a few weeks per year. But with this chilly & gloomy week I have found myself thinking of sun, sand and minimal clothing! In honor of this nostalgia I thought I would post a few photos of the beach from my home in the U.S.

Makes me realize why people in Sweden worship the sun. Because it is short-lived and they must get it while they can. I went to IKEA with my friends this weekend and they bought ice cream. We headed back to the car and they stood outside to eat it in the sun. In jackets and scarves.

May 2010 - Anna Maria Island

Sunset

St. Pete Beach

You Know You Are in Sweden When....

2010-09-17T08:35:00.005+02:00

1. You see groups of men EVERYWHERE with strollers having lunch, at the park or at the mall while on their government subsidized parental leave.

2. You see women driving bulldozers, working on road crews or landscaping.

3. People are only standing on the RIGHT side of the escalator. The left side is for those in a hurry. If you do stand on the left side, people get pissed and will likely ask you to move.

4. Everyone you see looks to be at least middle class. Class differences are almost non-existent at first glance.

5. You are unsure of people's ages because many people look so young.

5. Pre-teen girls dress like grown women. (It is quite alarming actually. Most people I know wouldn't let their daughters leave the house looking this way)

6. If it is Friday after work, almost everyone will be carrying a purple Systembolaget bag on the way home. (Because the weekends are for drinking, of course)

7. Baby girls don't usually wear pink. Gender neutral colors for babies are more preferred here and are even debated in terms of equality of the sexes.

8. The majority of people are agnostic or atheist.

9. Wherever you came from seems dirty in comparison. Streets, water, parks, you name it - all perfectly clean even though this is a city of 2 million people. Pretty amazing.

10. Caesar salad comes with bacon.

11. There are no fans. Anywhere. Get used to it.

12. There are American t.v. shows on that you didn't even know existed until now.

13. Toilets have buttons, not handles to flush.

14. People on bikes are everywhere. Many of these people have stylish outfits on and maybe even a suit.

15. Many Swedes that you meet will apologize to you for their English, in advance. And in perfect English. So perfect that you are not sure if they are even Swedish.

16. You wonder if there is a big funeral going on that no one told you about because everyone is wearing all black.

17. People will be swimming in water that a Floridian would need a wetsuit for. And they will tell you it is warm.

18. Baby strollers face the opposite direction & are parallel to the ground.

19. You can buy sex toys at the pharmacy.

20. You see or meet men and their mouths look funny. Specifically, their upper lip. Then you realize that they use Snus (smokeless tobacco in a pouch that is put under the upper lip, no spitting required). Their hotness goes down slightly in your estimation. You wonder if you can put aside your rule of not dating tobacco users since snus is a cultural thing here and a SHOCKING number of people use it. Even some women.

21. You go buy lunch, and an immigrant takes your order. Their English is good, but not great, since they likely arrived here later in life and were not privy to the English education of most Swedes. You realize not only do they speak at least their Native language, Swedish and good English but that now you feel stupid because you only speak 1 language. You wonder why a 2nd language is not mandated to be taught at American public schools.

Eating Out in Sweden: You never know what you're going to get

2010-09-14T10:29:00.004+02:00

As a person who loves to cook and visit restaurants, Sweden has many delights as well as some real let downs when it comes to dining out. And since it is relatively expensive to eat out here, it is best to know what you are getting.

From fast food to fine dining, there is something for everyone here in Stockholm. If you want hot food on the quick and cheap your options are places such as IKEA, food stands (quite good late night), McDonald's or a place called the Taco Bar. Most of these are exactly as you think they would be but I have found that any quick type of "Tex-Mex" as they call it here just gets it wrong, wrong, wrong. It is not completely unlike Mexican food but something is just not quite right about it. An extra ingredient here, a spice missing there.....in this case you don't get what you pay for or expect.

In the price range from about $10-15 dollars, I highly recommend the Dagens Lunch (Daily Lunch) special Monday through Friday that is available at almost any cafe' or restaurant. It comes with a very large lunch portion of a wide variety of things: sandwich, soup, meatballs, fish or pasta (I have found that it is best NOT to get the pasta. Could use a lot of improvement at most places). Whatever you choose, salad, bread, coffee & water come with.

Classic Swedish foods that I highly recommend:

1. Swedish meatballs, potatoes and lingonberry sauce - I can't stress how great this dish is, no matter where you order it.

2. Salmon with dill sauce & potatoes

3. Toast Skagen - Probably my favorite Swedish dish, newly discovered. I have already made it here and plan on bringing it back with me when I return to the U.S. It is delightful in its simplicity: shrimp, mayo/creme fraiche, lemon and dill. Served on bread sauteed in butter.

4. Crepes/Pancakes - Can be served with anything. Jam and whipped cream are my favorite.

5. Cakes/pies/cinnamon buns - All good. All the time.

Other types of food that will be good at most places you choose at random:

1. Thai

2. Chinese/Asian/Fusion

3. Sushi

4. French Fries (or Pommes Frittes as they are called here)

5. Caesar Salad - Good at most places. The difference is, in Sweden they add bacon. And who doesn't like bacon?
6. Turkish

Foods that leave much to be desired almost anywhere besides very expensive or specialty restaurants:

1. Hamburgers - They put something on the burgers here called "American Hamburger Dressing". I am from America and we don't have this anywhere. It looks like a mixture of ketchup, mayo and pickles with a hint of sugar. Not good.

2. Mexican, Tex-Mex or similar - As I said above, they get it wrong.

3. Pizza - Have had decent pizza here from one place. Otherwise, not good and not very Italian. It comes with Bearnaise sauce as well. Because cheese and meat apparently need a butter sauce to make them more filling.

4. Steak - Unless you are at a Michelin rated restaurant, don't order steak. You will be very disappointed.

5. Nachos - I used to think the phrase "bad nachos" was an oxymoron. Have had nachos at Hard Rock Cafe and nice Swedish restaurants. Probably the biggest food disappointment of all for me. Bad chips, minimal and poor quality toppings.
6. Sandwiches - You can literally buy a sandwich anywhere and everywhere in Stockholm. Maybe I am a bit prejudiced here since I don't really like sandwiches anyway, but even as sandwiches go, they are mediocre at best.

And the most confusing part about eating out here is that, much of the time, you are not sure what you are going to get. The menus, whether in Swedish or English, are extremely lacking in the descriptions of the food and its preparation. A lot of questions to your server are necessary!

Reflections On Life As A Stockholmer: Pros & Cons

2010-09-12T15:07:00.017+02:00

I am quickly approaching the 2 month mark here in Stockholm and after having settled in a bit more, there are definite positives and negatives beginning to stand out:

PROS

1. Public Transportation - This is my first time living somewhere with great public transport and I love it. For about $85.00 per month you can get an unlimited card that is good for for subways, trams, buses and trains. Wanna go out and have drinks? Do it up, because you won't have to drive home later. Plus, you can sit and read or listen to music rather than focusing on the road.

2. Candy & cinnamon buns - I have easily eaten more of these in 2 months than in the past 2 years. Seriously.

3. Exercise - Like it or not, you are walking all the time. To and from public transport, the grocery store, the gym, etc. And if you are job searching, you have lots of time to focus on your body at the gym. People in Stockholm take very good care of themselves & it is quite the motivator to exercise and look good.

4. Hot men with hot accents - They are everywhere. Africans, Australians, English, Scots, Serbians, Swedes, you name it. Like an around the world smorgasbord. And everyone knows American girls are suckers for a man with an accent!

5. People are really nice & polite - I know this goes against many stereotypes of the cold Swede, but that is not my experience in this country. Reserved? Sometimes. But just ask for help or start talking to people and they are nice as can be.

6. Such a beautiful city - Most days you feel that despite any downsides to living here, that you are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. It can't properly be described. You have to see it in person.

7. Shopping - There are lots of Scandinavian companies here selling great clothes, shoes and home goods. Some of my favorites are Vero Moda, Lindex, KappAhl & Scorett.

8. Social benefits & structure - This deserves its own post and I won't go into detail, but if you are going to enjoy life, have kids, go to college or have a serious illness this is the place to be. A short, quick look at some of these benefits:

480 days of parental leave per child with pay & without career suicide
FREE college, grad school, medical school, etc.
Government subsidized daycare
5 weeks minimum paid vacation (this does NOT include sick days)
FREE medical care

Yes, the taxes are much higher to pay for these things, but people do well financially despite this.

9. Less materialism - 4 cars, 3 houses, all name brand clothes....most people here don't care about acquiring more things, keeping up with the Jones', or working until they have a heart attack so they can buy more stuff. They care about family, travel and enjoyment of life.

10. Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right of way - If you are crossing the street cars stop for you, if you are riding a bike, you have your own lane on the road and can ride just about anywhere.

CONS

1. Candy & Cinnamon buns - I can't resist them when they are available at every grocery store, convenience store or shopping center. Good thing I am forced to exercise a lot!

2. Bathrooms that you have to pay for - Yes it is less than $1 U.S. dollar but if you don't have change you have to get it, and IT IS A HASSLE. If I am a paying customer, I should not have to pay to use the restroom. Period.

3. Having to go to special stores for basic cooking items - Chicken stock, beef stock, vegetable stock. These are basics in almost every type of cooking in the U.S. OR Europe but you can't find them at most places here. They have bouillon cubes as a "substitute". SO not the same thing.

4. Lack of shopping variety - What they do have is fantastic, they just don't have a wide variety of everything. Which means there is less competition and higher prices.

5. Eating out Roulette - There is some really great food here in Sweden. The problem is, sometimes you order things and the menu description is so lacking that you get something completely different. You have to ask how the food is prepared and what type of sauce/spices are used.

6. Tunnel vision on the subway/train/bus - Don't smile at anyone, don't speak to anyone, don't look at anyone. If you do, they will think you are crazy.

* However, this is nice when you have no desire to small talk with people and want some quiet *

7. Carrying stuff - Shopping, groceries, books, laptop, umbrella, gym clothes, jacket, etc. Unless you have a car, get used to packing for the day and carrying all of it. Going to the grocery store? Well, hopefully it is close to your house because you are carrying it all the way home rain or shine! (This is where a hot man with a hot accent comes in handy)

8. Shoe Etiquette - If you go to a person's home in Sweden, take your shoes off at the door or you will be considered extremely rude. Going to the gym? Take your shoes off at the entrance, put them in kindergarten cubbies, then put your gym shoes on.

I understand the though process behind this so as not to scratch the floors or track dirt or water in. Unfortunately as a person who is 1) A shoe addict and 2) Short, shoes are not only part of my outfit, they make me taller! And in a country where the average person is very tall, it puts me at a disadvantage in many situations.

9. The cost of Jeans - I don't have the slightest idea why, but jeans here are EXTREMELY overpriced even at the same stores! H&M is considered to be a budget fashion retailer in the U.S. but a pair of jeans will cost you $60 - $80 U.S. Dollars at H&M in Sweden. Those same exact jeans will be $20 - $40 in Miami, Florida for example.

Dating & Mating in Sweden: A discussion group with Swedish Women

2010-08-31T10:13:00.008+02:00

Dating and mating rules in Sweden are very confusing for an American. The longer you are here, the more confusing it gets. So yesterday I hosted a baby shower for my friend Kristiina, and had a discussion with the Swedish girls present about this topic. Honestly it was more like a class for me since I was the only girl not from Scandinavia at the party!

So, here is what you notice about men, women, dating & sex in Sweden pretty quickly as an American:

1. Swedish beauty is NOT a myth and you will continually be surprised by how attractive and fashionable people are. Every. Single. Day.

2. Men do not bother you or approach you randomly or at all, even at bars (usually). Things are more equal here and men are brought up to respect women. Give them a sign of your interest (or 2) and they will take it from there. Otherwise, enjoy the evening with your friends, because you won't be harrassed (this is easily mistaken for lack of interest if you don't know the rules).

3. Even if a guy does approach you, with or without encouragement, there is a 95% chance that he is not buying you a drink. If he does, he is probably not Swedish or has lived in another country fairly recently.

4. Attitudes toward sex are very, very relaxed for men and women. There is no double standard that men are "just being men" but women are "easy" if they do the same. It is more equal than the U.S., do what you want. People often have sex first, then decide if they want to see each other.

The main questions I had for the girls were the following:

1. If you don't have the official "talk" here about being exclusive, how do you know that you are only seeing each other?

2. How do you know if you are "dating" someone?

3. Is it okay to date/see more than 1 person at a time?

4. Do you wait for the man to make all the moves and set up getting together after you meet like in the United States?

Answer summary (PG-13 version):

1. On rare occasions you would have the talk about the status of your relationship. Normally, if you see someone on a regular basis when sober (this is an important distinction here), even only once a week, it is assumed that you only see each other. You are simply just together.

2. Sweden doesn't really have a dating culture like the U.S. A man is not going to take you out to multiple dinners & movies for several weeks. Maybe you go for fika (coffee) or dinner a few times, but it is not the norm. To Swedes this feels very formal and more like an interrogation. Likely you would meet out at bars/clubs with friends, then start hanging out at home having dinner, watching movies, etc. *Note: It is also not assumed here that the man will pay for these things. It is equal here and women like to pay their own way*

3. It is not okay to date more than one person at a time usually, even at the beginning. See # 1. Which is why the "talk" is unnecessary. If you are just "friends with benefits" it is quite obvious and would be discussed early on. If you only see someone once, it is just a one-night thing and this is made known by 1 or both parties (These last 2 things are also quite acceptable here for men & women)

4. This is a firm NO. It is of course very possible that the man will text or call you first but do not make this assumption. If you like a guy, ask for his number because he may be too shy to ask for yours. Text him first to set up a meeting. If you don't, it is possible that he may never get up the courage to do the same. If you are too shy as a woman to make the first moves, you could be single for quite some time!

*Please note: SMS (texting) is necessary at this point. Don't call because it could be too much for the guy to handle. Seriously.*

The main things I got from all this is that 1) Everything is honest and up-front from the beginning and 2) More Equal. Men do not try to avoid the "talk" or commitment and women don't have to wonder about the status of the relationship. Both parties communicate right away and do as they want. It is not expected that the man makes all the moves but it is expected that a woman put forth effort if she is interested in a man. The only real rules are about not seeing more than one person at a time. Which is pretty mind-boggling for an American to say the least!

Thanks ladies. Makes a bit more sense now.

For a more information on this topic, check out this article by American blogger Kommissarie F. Curiosa on her view of Swedish dating after 7 years in the country: Dating in Sweden: Sex, Booze & Mobile Phones. Hilarious!

Spotting American Men in Stockholm is Easier Than You Think

2010-08-22T13:54:00.008+02:00

Last night I was out a popular bar in Stureplan called Hotellet. We stopped for some food and drinks at the restaurant and then headed downstairs to the bar area. Our table was sort of at the back, so we had a pretty good view of everyone and soon noticed 2 guys that were directly across from us.

I leaned over and told my friend M that these particular men were definitely Americans. My friend M (born in Finland but has an American father), immediately agreed with me. So how is is that we knew, just from observation from across the room that these men were American? For those of you who do not have experiences with the differences in American & Swedish men, I will tell you how:

Clue # 1 - THEIR CLOTHES

American guy "A" had on a button-up shirt and jeans. American guy "B" had on a button-up long sleeved polo shirt, chinos and brown loafers. They were dressed differently than EVERY other guy in the entire place. The clothes were baggy and not as form-fitting as Swedish men wear, hair was different, less effort overall was put into their ensembles.

Clue # 2 - THE WAY THEY WERE SITTING AT THE BAR

The other men were standing/siting at the bar but speaking to each other or looking straight ahead but the American guys were facing outwards observing the entire bar and were extremely relaxed in manner. They were scoping out their female options for the evening. Swedish men generally do not stare at a particular woman for very long unless she is staring back and clearly hitting on him. They glance and definitely take notice, but are more shy and not very aggressive.

Clue # 3 - THEY APPROACHED WOMEN

You are probably thinking, why is it a big deal that they approached and spoke to women at a bar? Well, this is Sweden, and it is an extremely RARE occasion in which a Swedish man would approach a woman without a serious amount of encouragement from her - smiling, staring, hair flipping, etc. And not only that, the American guys approached different women no less than 3 times, which a Swedish man would probably never do no matter how many drinks had been consumed! Swedish men do show interest but in a very very subtle way. You can read more about the Swedish Male Look on Sapphire's Stockholm blog. It is one of the world's great ironies that there are hordes of men in this country that look like Alexander Skarsgard (also known as Vampire Eric from True Blood on HBO), or better, and they are too shy to approach women!

After all this, it turns out that while standing next to the "American" guys at the bar, they spoke perfect American English.

Damn we're good.

Saturday Night out in Stockholm & Midnattsloppet

2010-08-15T10:56:00.003+02:00

I went out to one of my favorite areas of Stockholm last night, Södermalm, with friends and enjoyed the weather and the large crowds for the Midnattsloppet. Basically it is a night time 10K run with music, events and a party atmosphere all along the race route. Good times!

People keep telling me that this could be the last warm weekend of the year before fall begins.......

Swedes love sugar, and so do I

2010-08-09T11:17:00.003+02:00

I have always been a lover of candy and delicious baked goods and living here only enables my obsession to continue. There are vendors on the street that sell candy and candy bins can be found at ANY convenience store, grocery or movie rental place. Cinnamon rolls, croissants and chocolate cake are available at 711, coffee shops, or pretty much any place that sells snacks and drinks.

In order to keep children from eating so much candy, they have what is called "Candy Saturday". On Saturdays parents take their kids to get candy at the store as a weekly treat to keep the sugar intake down as much as possible.

This fact delights me to no end. It is like living in Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory just without the Oompa Loompas. Although one would think with all of this sugar that more people would be overweight!

That's me on the right at the movie rental store (like Blockbuster). There was actually a larger selection of candy than actual movies. We couldn't even fit all of the bins of candy into the photo!

Shopping and the Swedish Man

2010-08-09T10:29:00.001+02:00

While getting to know and becoming acquainted with Swedish men, do not be surprised to hear them say things like, "I love clothes" or "I love shopping" or to have them take just as long in the stores as you would as a female. You can be sure that whatever their style - rocker, preppy or trendy - time and effort is put into every aspect of their appearance. Hair, clothes, shoes, belts, sunglasses or whatever. You will rarely see old baggy jeans, a dirty baseball cap or a t-shirt with holes in it on a Swedish man. THANKFULLY. I am SO over the Florida fisherman and Abercrombie & Fitch look.

It's like an alternate universe with tall, gorgeous, fashionable, masculine men who will go shopping with you and actually enjoy it!

Fun in the Swedish Countryside

2010-08-03T08:56:00.002+02:00

This weekend we headed to the Swedish countryside for some outdoor fun. Turned out the weather wasn't very nice so we mostly just went shopping. I do have to give myself props for making multiple trips to the sauna and being able to stay for longer each time. Steam rooms, saunas and other small, hot boxes of torture are not something I normally do very well with!

Some of my finds during antique shopping. It's a small world.

A playing with his new dirt bike

A's parents' Summer cottage

The lake next to the sauna. I dipped my feet in for 5 seconds. The warm water of the Gulf of Mexico is a distant memory...

We stopped at the Gris Cafe (Pig Cafe) for what we though was just coffee and cinnamon buns. Turned out to be a pig farm with brand new pink babies. Their cuteness made the disgusting, dirty, 800 pound mother pigs bearable. Makes you want to stop eating pork all together. Too bad my last dinner request on Earth includes BBQ Pork Ribs with sauce.

Feminine Hygiene Products in Sweden

2010-07-29T20:47:00.002+02:00

Remember o.b. tampons, the ones without applicators, that were heavily advertised in the 90's? Well, they are alive, well and the norm here in Sweden. I knew about this in advance and prepared for it by stocking up on Playtex. K informs me that Tampax can be found here, but it is a rarity. And knowing Sweden, probably quite expensive as well. But some things are worth the extra cost, don't you think?

On a trip to Apotek yesterday (the pharmacy that is like CVS or Walgreen's - sort of), I decided to take a photo of the selection for your viewing pleasure.

If you are asking why I would do a post about tampons, then you are probably a man. Because a woman knows how much this matters!

A Perfect Day

2010-07-29T16:06:00.013+02:00

You know those days where you want to laugh and cry at the same time because the day is beautiful and perfect in every way and you feel lucky to be alive? Call it a glimpse of utopia, euphoria or Shangri-la. Well, Tuesday in Stockholm was one of those days for me. I woke up and went for a run/hike and then went out on my own to explore the island of Djurgården and area of Östermalm.

I took the ferry to Djurgården and thought I would see the Vasamuseet (Ship Museum) and maybe Nordiska Museet (Nordic Museum). The line for the Ship Museum turned out to be too long for me to wait so I went to the Nordic Museum instead.

My view from the ferry.

(On the left (red building) is the Ship Museum. On the right above the tree line is the Nordic Museum.)

I then headed across the bridge to Strandvägen (Beach Road) in Östermalm. I walked along the water and stopped at a cafe' for sushi and a glass of rose'. It was delightful just sitting there watching the sun glinting off the water and the beautiful people strolling by.

Strandvägen

View from my cafe' lunch.

The perfect day in a perfect place.

Today's "Swedish" Breakfast

2010-07-26T10:11:00.001+02:00

My breakfast today consisting of Kellogg's Rice Krispies Cereal and milk. A little taste of home right here in Sweden.

First Week as a Stockholmer

2010-07-25T16:45:00.007+02:00

I have been busy since Tuesday hanging out with friends, interviewing, sightseeing, walking and getting used to the time difference. It has been a pretty great week and I am settling into it a bit more. The first few days felt very bizarre knowing that I now live here and have a whole lot of new things to learn!

I think as a tourist in a country where most people speak great English, it doesn't really bother you that you can't read most things and don't know what people around you are saying. You can just ask because everybody understands you. Well, it bothers me now that I live here. I want to know what people on the subway are saying to each other, I want to understand what the t.v. newscaster is saying, I want to be able to go to the grocery store and know where in the hell the sour cream is so I can make tacos for my friends. Goal #1: J-O-B. Goal #2: Learn to read, understand and eventually speak decent Swedish. I have never wanted to learn something so badly in my life!

The good news is at least I can get around on the tram and subway without getting lost. At least I can enjoy the beautiful people while I fumble and bumble my way around this fantastic place I have dreamt about being a part of for 2 years. At least I have local friends to help me figure things out. It's the little things.

My sad looking boxes that I shipped from the U.S. I am sure it is because I did a crap packing job.

The view walking around after my interview near the Swedish Parliament building.

The view walking around K & A's place where I am staying.

These photos are of Gamla Stan or "Old Town" area which dates back to the 13th Century. This is the most famous and heavily visited tourist area in Stockholm. I had coffee at one of the outdoor cafes today and there were tourists from every country imaginable.

T-Centralen or "Central Station" area where I did some shopping and sightseeing today. The number of shops and cafes is fantstic. There is an H&M literally on almost every corner. I'm not complaining though! I love living in a place where I can explore a different area of town every day and find something new each time.

Culture Shock: Swedish Public Bathrooms

2010-07-21T19:02:00.001+02:00

Usually they say culture shock really begins for a person 3-6 months after moving to their new country. Today, while at the mall I was so shocked I wasn't sure how to act or what to do and my Swedish friends were not with me.

I have visited Stockholm before and am aware of many cultural differences from experience as well as from talking to other Americans in Sweden. No one ever told me about the situation I experienced today!

In public places in Stockholm like shopping centers, you have to pay 5 Swedish Krowns (or $.67 cents) to use the bathroom. For me, this is not shocking because I already knew.

So here's what happened. My friends went to the coffee shop and I went to the bathroom, which I was prepared to pay for. It was unisex but there was a wall separating with 2 bathrooms and sinks on each side and some family bathrooms as well. The bathrooms were like stalls where the doors are not floor to ceiling. Typical, right?

I walk through the till after paying and there is a man cleaning the bathroom floors. I assumed that I either was on the wrong side or I just had to wait until he was finished. In the U.S. if the cleaner was a man, a sign would be up during cleaning and then he would leave. Well, the man STAYED. I was thinking that this is crazy that a man is in the bathroom while women are in the stalls. I MUST be confused. But women kept going in to use the bathroom like he was not even there. Like this was normal.

So I used the restroom while the man stood on the other side of the stalls cleaning. Really really weird and uncomfortable. I have never even used the restroom in front of an ex-boyfriend, so "uncomfortable" is an understatement.

I went back to the coffee shop where my girlfriends K & M were. I sat down and told them about this "crazy" experience that I had. They told me that men being in public unisex bathrooms cleaning is NORMAL and in fact, in women's gym locker rooms and showers there are male cleaners there most of the time as well! "WHAT!? So women change clothes and take showers at the gym with strange men in the room cleaning!?" Yep. And the women here don't think twice about it.

This taught me two important things: 1) Looks like I will never be changing clothes or showering at a gym in Stockholm and 2) if most American guys had the chance to have a job where they see naked women showering and changing, they would apply in droves and clean until the skin rubbed off their hands!

How's that for culture shock?

Shock & Awe

2010-07-21T01:18:00.000+02:00

So, I arrived in Stockholm today after MANY hours of travel quite well rested thanks to the Melatonin sleep I had from Boston to Iceland. There were also quite a few Americans headed to Stockholm along the way.

In Iceland I headed to the shopping terminal to get coffee and thought only in Europe would you see people having beer at 6 a.m.! Gotta love it.

So happy to see my friends K & A and lovely Stockholm. I am thrilled to be here but at the same time, it doesn't feel like a vacation to me and I thought it would at first. It's more like, OH SHIT I LIVE HERE NOW and WHAT HAVE I DONE? It could also be the jet lag. Or a panic attack.

I think these feelings are normal when you change your whole life in one day and a few airplane rides. Such an emotional roller coaster.

I miss all of you already! ;(

Packing Sucks - Part 2

2010-07-17T14:59:00.002+02:00

As I pack and look at the ridiculous amount of clothes and shoes I have (even after getting rid of half), I wonder what a "normal" amount of stuff is to ship and how much this is going to cost me. Will my Swedish friends see my stuff arrive and remark at how much I have? Most definitely.

Because one thing I did learn during my European travels is that Americans tend to have too much of everything. We are materialistic and like to "collect" things. Clothes, shoes, purses, electronics, cars, figurines - whatever. The American dream is about spend, spend, spend AND keeping up with the Joneses.

I of course say this as a generality because all Americans are not materialistic and all Europeans are not minimalists. But by packing and moving all my stuff I realize that MY American materialism is much less like a dream and more like a huge burden at this point in life. I will strive to be more minimalist and fall in line with the Swedish way of thinking. Because after all, you can't take it with you in the end can you?

Packing Sucks

2010-07-14T12:36:00.001+02:00

Everyone knows that packing is a bad experience. Well, packing for an overseas move is even worse. Not only do I have to go through things and get rid of lots due to the shipping costs, I have to make an itemized list with a $ value given to every single item! These are the international customs rules. You try deciding how much you paid for a t-shirt 5 years ago and see how easy it is. Geez.

As my sister pointed out to me last night, packing is not one of my strong points. I get overwhelmed and lose focus. As long as I have it done by Monday.

Among the things that I hear are expensive or difficult to get in Sweden (I will do a post on this topic), I also have a list of things that my Swedish friends want me to bring them. One of those things is cold medicine. You must have a prescription from a doctor to buy things like Sudafed, Tylenol Cold, Claritin, etc. Seems like a lot of work for a runny nose. So yesterday I went to Target to stock up on meds and beauty products that I can't live without. With all the rules about amounts of cold medicine you can buy at one time in the U.S., I was worried I might be questioned and apprehended by the police for trying to start a meth lab! It went smoothly at checkout but they did have to swipe my driver's license for tracking purposes.

Mission accomplished.

The Countdown Begins...

2010-07-11T18:28:00.002+02:00

I am one week away from being a Stockholmer! I can't believe it. Now it is just a matter of packing my things for shipment, my last week of work in the U.S. and getting rid of a few things on Craigslist.

My friend Shana is having an all girls going away party for me on Thursday night and I can't wait. It is nice to know that I will be missed.

On another note, I was watching The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo last night and it reminded me how hard it is going to be for me to speak Swedish fluently. I can barely tell where one word stops and the other begins. Hopefully with some hard work I will be understanding and speaking it in the near future.

Swedish Crush - Alexander Skarsgård

2010-07-09T22:00:00.004+02:00

During my trip to visit family before I head to Stockholm, I have been watching Season 2 of True Blood and am now obsessed with Alexander Skarsgard, who plays the vampire Eric Northman. He definitely lives up to the picture of the character in my mind from the Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris. And who better to play a vampire Viking than a beautiful Swede? Every now and then he even speaks some Swedish on the show.

4th of July Goodbyes

2010-07-03T14:14:00.001+02:00

I suppose it is quite fitting that my family and friends visits to Pensacola and Mississippi this week fall on a truly American holiday - Independence Day. Happy Birthday USA!

My life is so busy and non-stop in Tampa that I sometimes forget how slowly life moves on vacation and in smaller towns. My only "scheduled" activities are to hang out, talk, drink coffee, exercise and wrap up details for my move. This also makes me realize that is difficult for me to do what some people call "relaxing" because I prefer action and excitement. Which is why I am moving to a big, European city.

Anyhow, I plan on enjoying this week of visits and relaxation before everything gets CRA-ZY during my last week in the U.S. I can't believe it is coming upon me so quickly.