So here I am, a couple of hundreds of kilometers away from home...in Örebro more precisely...200km west from Stockholm.
My new chapter of life started on 12 august this year when I stepped for the first time on swedish soil.
My first impression then? A clean country, too much lakes, many many trees and forests.
My impression now, after three weeks of living among the natives? A clean country, many lakes, many forests, high prices, good bus system, great roads, weird language, beer too light and, above all, the thing that is killing me sofly: the slow slow slow swedish society.
Let's talk about that a little. For instance right now I am waiting for everything: I am waiting for my personal number for almost 2 weeks, I am waiting for my Nordea bank card for more than 2 weeks, I am waiting for my Student Union Card for 2 weeks, I am waiting for a post package that should have been here last week, and I am waiting for my second apartment key for more than one week now.
I have to mention that here everything is done by post. All this things most arrive at my home by post. I am starting to be annoyed by this very slowly system.
For everything here you have to wait at least 2 weeks. Even for a fucking little door key.
Aaaa and one more thing. 2 weeks ago (the magic number here) my home internet connection died suddenly. My apartment colleagues called the service provider to resolve the problem but not even now, after to damn weeks, the internet connection isn't working.
Herregud they have pre paid internet usb sticks. Otherwiseeee...:D
This afternoon I am having my first job interview...I hope everything will be fine...Keep the fingers crossed...
But I will write more about this new experience in a post tomorrow...
Hej då, for now.:)
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.
