There are things that are quite different here - compared to Slovenia.
- They don't wear slippers - although it's quite cold out here - especially in the winter!
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| Bare feet |
- You can't buy alcohol in supermarkets in Sweden (or get a bottle of wine after 3 o'clock on Saturdays). Since 1955 alcohol is under govermental control and Systembolaget is the only store allowed to sell alcohol.
Alcohol shop Systembolaget - The Swedish drinking culture is very different from the Mediterranean one. In Sweden they have a long tradition of home-distilling - 'hembränt'. That created a culture of hard drinking. The enormous consumption of strong alcohol caused great health problems in the 19th century in Sweden. That's why goverment opened control of alcohol selling and consumption about 150 years ago. But it didn't reduce usage of alcohol! The existence of Systembolaget is constantly a subject of debate in Sweden. They plan their day in such way that they still have time to visit Systembolaget before it closes. It's not opened on sundays; 5 years ago it wasn't even opened on saturdays. You have to be 20 or older to buy alcoholic beverages in Systembolaget, but in restaurants and bars the legal age to buy alcoholic beverages is 18.
- Everybody speaks English! At least everybody I've met! No matter how old they were, they spoke English and were really pleased to help (I got lost couple of times in Gothenburg because I didn't bother to look on map). All of the people I met here were really nice and I've had some great end interesting conversations (so I don't really believe when people say that Scandinavians are 'cold'. I've met some Norwegians and Finns too and I got good impression - so far so good). Also at the University (all faculties) you can take English courses if you want (or better courses in English).
- Prices in supermarkets are comparable to ours -in Slovenia. Of course prices are quite different from place to place - from shop to shop. Difference is, that all of the children under 7 can get bananas for free in all markets I've been to. In fruit and vagetable section there is always a sign that tells that children can take free banana if they are sad and tired.
Sign - picture taken form: http://odd-little-things.blogspot.se - On the other hand, prices in restaurants and bars are quite high! For example - we went to karaoke night in 'low budget' bar and I payed 49 SEK for 3dl beer (5,5 €). Cocktails - small ones; were 100 SEK (11 €) and Pulled pork warp was 39 SEK - 4 €. I mainly eat at home so about other costs I'll write some other time.
- Weather: I'm located near sea side. Air here is really dry compared to what I'm used to. It's not so cold since we're living on the seaside but it is windy so sometimes it fells much cooler than it actually is. I guess my skin is sensitive because in few days my skin was so dry that it started bleeding. Nevertheless I started using lots of moisturizing cream and vaseline, so it's getting better.
Dry skin - Food: I like food here in Sweden. We cook alone at house of course so I'm not sure if this stands for all Swedes in general. First of all - they eat salad like that - so they don't put in salt, oil or vinegar. I'm slowly getting used to it. The tastes here are mixed - for example you will always find some gingerbread (swe: 'pepparkakor')in their house, but they put on different cheeses or garlic spread on it. A 'must' in the fridge is also Kalles kaviar- like kaviar in a paste that they put in different places - for example on cooked egg. I've had lots of great meals here thou! They have moose meat too so the other day it was the first time I made something with moose meat and it was great (I'm just showing off). I make moose meat balls with mozzarella and spices and smashed broccoli with garlic and cream.
Moose meat balls and smashed broccoli
Everyday I try something new and mainly all of it is good - and almost no sweets and sweet drinks (mainly I drink water or mineral water). Great prescription for losing weight - to cut off sweets! I lost two kg in 3 weeks and I eat more - just no sweets and sweet drinks. And I feel better without them. More focused and clear.
- They celebrate advent but they don't celebrate Saint Nicholas on 6.december as we do - but Saint Lucy's day on 13. december - mostly children participate. I'll have to wait for it and than write more about it... But they have their own advent calendar that we made and they get their treats after lunch every day. Children don't eat that much sweets either. Their treats are mainly dry fruit as raisins, dry apple, nuts (different type), papperkakor or ice cream (swe: 'glass') and kids love it!
Advent calendar
