One Month

I have now been a ‘Swedener’ for a whole month (and 2 days). I feel pretty settled in, I sort of know my way around, I’ve learnt some simple phrases in Swedish and I’ve been warned numerous times about how completely freezing it’s going to be in winter.  The imminent need to wear 3 jumpers and a scarf at all times notwithstanding, I love it here – just look how beautiful it is!

In recognition of me surviving my first month here, I thought I’d compile a list of interesting things I’ve picked up on while being here:

- there are a lot of men with babies

- said babies are all in very fancy clothes and pushchairs (or attached to the front of their parent, mum or dad)

- if it’s sunny weather, what appears to be the whole population of Stockholm will be sunbathing by/swimming in a lake

- dogs are the pet of choice, either MASSIVE dogs or cute, ‘designer’ dogs. The Swedes do not own mutts

- lunch is cheap, dinner is not

- coffee is essential to life (and soya milk is readily available)

- stripes are very in. So in that about 1 in 4 women (and 1 in 3 men) that I see in the street will be wearing stripes at all times

- Thai food is also very in

- everyone speaks English as well as I do but in American accents

- exercise classes are very popular, even for children

- a lot of people really are really blonde…

- …and really tall…

- …and really attractive

- buying wine has to be planned in advance, it’s not possible to decide you fancy some wine for the weekend after 3pm on a Saturday (and before 3pm there will be queues)

- Swedish drivers aren’t out to kill pedestrians like English drivers are (and will look disappointed if you don’t trust that they’ll stop for you and wait on the curb until they’ve come to a complete stop)

- undercuts are cool, for men and women. Is it less edgy when loads of people have it done? I can’t decide

And finally, for today, a very cute shop window I passed in Gamla Stan:

Dag Ett / Day One

So I arrived in Stockholm this morning, or rather I arrived at an airport an hour and a half outside Stockholm this morning and actually arrived in my new home town around lunchtime, but let’s not be too pedantic. The weather is gorgeous, the city is beautiful and I’ve almost forgotten all my stress of being homeless. Almost.

Things I have noticed so far about Stockholm (and I would advise you to bear in mind that I have had less than 3 hours sleep in the last 36ish hours and therefore my judgement may be impaired):

- people like big dogs. And I mean BIG dogs. Bigger than me!

- there are many more handsome men than in the UK (sadly there are also many more attractive women, pft)

- coffee shops are everywhere! I think I have managed to find the Swedish Starbucks (since the actual Starbucks doesn’t exist over here) It’s called Expresso House and it’s rather nice.

I had a soya latte. Good times were had.

Speaking of soya, I also saw a rather impressive range of soya beverages in the supermarket. I am impressed. I also would like to live in a Swedish supermarket, there was so much amazing-looking food and since I’m living in a hostel I had to pass on most of it.

I cannot wait until I have somewhere to live (and eat)!

Countdown to Stockholm

In 8 days I am moving to Stockholm and will officially become an “artificial swedener.” Exciting times ahead!

As a seasoned procrastinator, I’m taking a few moments off from my packing, organising and general stressing to write an obligatory awkward introductory post to my shiny new blog. So, here’s the low-down:

- my name’s Ciara

- this is a photo of me eating a watermelon:

- I’ve just graduated from university with a French degree and thought the obvious next step would be moving to Sweden to wear a lot of cardigans, eat herring and drink out of a horn*

- as of mid-August I’ll be working as a Comenius Assistant in French and English at Internationella Kunskapsgymnasiet, teaching Swedish teenagers how to speak with a Yorkshire accent (even when speaking French!)

- I only speak a little Swedish (jag tola bora lite svenska)

- I do not currently have anywhere to live in Stockholm

I will be using this blog to rant/rave/moan/lament/enthuse about life in Stockholm – fingers crossed there’ll be more enthusing than moaning!

*other stereotypical Swedish pastimes are available