8 octombrie 2010

Seven things about Sweden

1. Big country, low density of population on square meter (population of 9 million in a 450,000 km2 land area). Just to make an idea, Mumbai(Bombay), a city from India has a population of 14.000.000 people hard pressed in just 22.000 km2. Insane, just insane. Here Sweden has a biig plus from me.2. No alcohol in stores. The only place you can buy normal beer, wine or spirits is a place called System Bolaget. The place is managed by the government. You can not find alcohol in supermarkets or grocery stores. The prices in this kind of stores are normal for Europe. In return, the alcohol can be pretty expensive in local places like pubs, bars, clubs or restaurants. Expect to pay around 5 euros for a glass of beer.3. Lots of cats in the streets. I think they are obsessed with cats. You see them everywhere. Next to a tree, in balconies, over the cars, everywhere. To balance out, the vast majority of the swedes have also small dogs. (Chihuahua and little terriers in special).4. Civility. I think this is the best word to describe Sweden. Not all the swedes of course, but the big part of them are defined by this word. I never felt as safety as I am feeling here, in Sweden.5. Language. Almost everyone here speaks english language. But to adapt, to get a job and to have an active role in swedish society you need to learn their native language.6. Post. I am still shocked to see that everything here is done by post. You get letters for everything. And if you don't write on your mailbox "ingen recklam" (no ads), in 2 days you will be covered with brochures.7. Fast food. I think Sweden has the biggest number of McDonalds restaurants/capita than any other european country. They eat a lot of hamburgers. Sweden also have it's own fast food brand: Max.