dream the living: Observations of an Outsider

Observations (mainly extracted from notes I put on my phone when catching the bus)

# public transport is used by a cross section of society. Hence you see a lot more about how people live their lives than you would in Australia where buses are restricted to students, the poor, elderly and people stripped of their license due to drink driving.

# even though the time the Swedes spend outdoor is restricted due to weather, they still make lots of provisions for nice outdoor spaces and parklands. The city is well integrated with the environment, and the movement of people seems well planned.

# spitting on street is common

# some people feel that Sweden is a safe place, but in a short space of time there has been many examples of petty, mid-level and serious crime.

# street shopping as opposed to shopping centres is more common, with the biggest mall in Scandanavia (located in Göteborg), being smaller than the three biggest shopping Centres back in Newy.
# living in an apartment is strange as there are no bugs. The only living creatures I have seen is a rabbit in a nature reserve and a tiny spider. NO MOSQUITOS...Even they are smart enough to stay away from the cold.

# everyone here seems to be so tolerant of temperature changes. I am constantly taking layers on and off, as I can't wear a winter jacket on a heated bus, whereas everyone else seems to handle it....

Activities/Events

# International Dinner- was the conclusion of the month of events held by the awe-worthy volunteer International Reception Committee. Only a small portion of the international cohort attended (the rest took a free ferry ride to Denmark). 50people all brought a tradditional dish from there own country. Being Aussie, there wasn't much to chose from, and was too lazy to make lamingtons and pavlova. So I brought vegemite+cheese scrolls, fairy bread and a pear, feta and pine nut sallad (explaining that sallad and steak is basically a staple). I really enjoyed everyone elses food!

# The local climbing wall is pretty big, but also VERY popular, that usually there are more people than ropes available. Managed to get a cheap year pass for about $180AUD. But as a warning, climbing gear (and pretty much everything except cheap fruit and veg.) is the same price as in Aus.

# Every Friday many pubs put on event called 'Afterwork'. You buy an alchoholic drink similar to Australian prices $4-7 ~ €2.50-4.50, and with that you get a plate for all you can eat buffet, for example nachos and salad.