Late winter sunshine

Since the last post, temperatures have risen in general, sunlight now lasts longer than 3 minutes a day, one university course has come to and end and a few thousand miles have been travelled in between.
So its time for a few winter pictures till the next post of what updates there are:

Thanks friend Kai for this great ski pic

Östersund in the late afternoon in winter

Nice view of a piste for skiing

Standing under a frozen waterfall...those things freeze here

Friends in a Sunny day ( - 5 ) having a grill in the Vinterpark

Östersund, vinterstaden...

Welcome to Östersund, the vinterstaden (Winter City)...a place where the wind is so cold it gives you brain freeze...

New year, new experiences

An so February dawns and yet time for another update from the land of the nordic sunshine, which co-incidently shines for more than 2 minutes a day here this time of year.
Its been a while since the last update on every day life, to which the cliche' can be thrown about; that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
So bearing that in mind, there are new experiences that one needs to constantly seek out to keep the mind and body sharp and eager.
January 2011's second week started with and exam back at university and a new module of work, Research Methods. The exam was passed and the new module, research methods is in full swing trying to come to grapple vague understandings of epsilons and standardised F-tests, taught by a genius Austrian lecturer, but one who I cant help stifle a laugh every time he talks about the "Thrid (pronounced: turd) variable".
In the midst of the standard academia, I have had some changes to the way of living, with my apartment having a few nips and tucks, in the process becoming more of a place to really enjoy staying in, additions including a microwave (thanks folks for the great Christmas present), a Persian knock of carpet, new bedding and additional mattress that can in a jiffy look like a couch and a few pictures put up. I am now proud to call it a place to rest my head. It has though in the last two or so weeks, also been residence to a mysterious few creatures that think my blood tastes great. After exterminators have been in, declared that they cant find or have no idea what it is, its still a mysterious new addition to the home, I think I need to give it a name...like Abadddon or something.
On that note, please dont ever think that by moving to a first world country, that you escape the "roughness" of Africa. One still cant drink the tap water without boiling it due to a parasite in the water, mysterious bugs in the entire apartment block and healthcare system thats up to bollocks. Sweden can always provide some sort of entertainment.

Escapes from this town are always a highlight; and one highlight of every students calendar in this part of the world is Skiweek. Four days, supposedly sometime in the coldest weeks of the year, of an escape to a skiresort, by a few thousand students, for skiing and all other fun and games that students get up to. Now, students in South Africa and students in Sweden are exactly the same, the only differences being the language spoken and the beer way more expensive.

Friend Kai and I enjoying a snowbeer

My experience was a great one though, we rented a cosy cottage approximately 2 kms from where the main parties are at and created a "safehouse" for ourselves and anyone else wanting to escape the debauchery of Skiweek...and a safehouse it was. Log cabin, fireplace, sauna, huge flat screen tv, surround sound and an xbox. The best idea of skiweek was this safe house, frequented by a few souls who needed to escape. Fond memories were formed there.

Its the best pic I could find of skiclothes and helmet

But enough of the house, the main purpose, contrary to what some may argue being beer, woman or parties, was actually skiing, and what a great sport it is! Its not a cheap activity but hells bells its worth every penny! Gliding down mountain, faintly in control overlooking magical scenery wind rushing past your ears is an experience that every person needs to try experience. Even Africans can learn to ski, granted many tumbles, snow in the face and facing-near-death moments later, but it can happen, it did happen and oh my greatness its great fun when it does happen.

Super good
looking car

"My" Honda, in the snow!!

Ski pic..."yust like Sveden"

So, with January out the way, February half way done and the year slipping by, things tick along nicely, cross country skiing still goes on well, the "vinterparken" has opened up, with beach chairs in the snow and crazy swedes to go sunbathing in -14, academia continues, as does life back home.

From a city of ever increasing hours of sunlight, farewell.

A glimpse into a year...

A Years Weather pictures

2010 weather in 2 minutes

(Click the link titles)

Kul Jul

Christmas signals the time for families to come together, and this Christmas should be no different I thought. All it takes is someone who loves family and Christmas, to have 1 bad experience apart from family, to really realise how valuable Christmas with family should be,

I had agreed with my relatives to spend Christmas with them, and I am so grateful that they allowed me stay and share Christmas with them.

Spending 25 years celebrating Christmas the Swedish way in a hot South Africa, lends itself to certain expectations, habits and experiences. To spend Christmas, the Swedish way, in Sweden; well now, things make a lot more sense with food, traditions, and a whole new experience.

The build up to Christmas goes like this: Sun setting at 14h30, its dark most of the day, its cold, some parts of Sweden doesn’t snow (Not traditionally) People come home to families, Santa Lucia allows for starting to eat Lussekatte (Saffron buns) for fika, cookies, cakes, saffron and spices become the order of the day, advent lights in every window, decorations, music, decorations and a whole lot more.

Christmas tree’s that are plastic are not acceptable, here things are different. A trudge into the forest, snow depth up to our waist in places, minus 20degree’s and we found our perfect tree for the house. The smell of a real tree while decorating it is fantastic; I will gladly “shop” for tree’s like that every single time!

And then there is food

Sweden was a starving nation 100 years ago and allowed themselves to eat well on Julafton: Christmas Eve. This is still remembered to this day, and it was no different. We spent the afternoon at Madsie and Andreas house. 5 Grandchildren, 7 Adults and a million things to eat. After afternoon fika, the Christmas Smorgasbord begins. Meatballs yes, potatoes, yes. Then there is far more. Ribs, pickled fish (8 types, including one backed in potatoes), salads (more potatoes), breads (old and new), cheeses, brussel sprouts, mustards, hams, sausages…the list goes on.

And once you have eaten so much that you think you cant eat any more, there is deserts…cake, cream, ice cream, sweets, sugar, oh my greatness so much of eating.

And Julmust, Svargdryck, Jul öl, and cider to drink.

3pm during the time adults fika, is the time for kalleanke, Donald duck and really old cartoons on telly, strange tradition. By this time, the children cant hold themselves from excitement of seeing all the presents. This, combined with sweets and cakes makes their blood sugars rush…and the rest is history as a mad flurry of ripping, screaming, tearing…of wrapping paper and gifts produces euphoria amongst children, that I am sure is hard to measure and even harder to experience as adults. Watching the children with presents. I have always remembered being the hyperactive one handing out presents, but from a different side, this was a joy to watch.

And like that, the excitement dips. The 25^th of December is normally spent recovering, going to Julotton (Morning church), more fika, more food, went for a ski and just enjoying the time as a family.

26 December: Mellandags. The day after: and the end of the world in shopping. Mellandags Rea its called, where everyone goes, in no other word, befok in shopping. Thankfully I escaped it and went ice skating on a frozen lake instead; skidskor, Blades about 45cm long strapped to your feet, on a lake that’s frozen over. As Monica said: “Like Bambi on ice”. Its not easy, but it is fun.

So, that’s that, 20-26 December wrapped up in a nice little story, may it answer any questions and spark up any emotions of nostalgia…

Gud Jul och Got Nytt År.

London-ious

Ok here is the run down of the trip, you all been waiting for for.
There can be only one word to describe London: BEDLAM. (Scene of uproar and confusion, originally from the term, asylum)
True story, no wonder Samuel Johnson said: "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life..." It really is a great happening town, and the time we chose to visit just co-incided with a whole different level of experiences.
We landed on Saturday evening, a good night to experience the night-life. After checking into a hostel (which every young person HAS to stay in when travelling the world) we decided to check out the night life in nearby Greenwich.

Stumbling into a crowded pub, there is a band playing, about 7 members, blasting jazz/classical/instrumental versions of pop songs. Tell you what it was a great vibe. The lead triangle player seemed to have the greatest time showing off and playing like no one was watching.

Sunday was spent stumbling around the public transport. In my honest opinion, its a crap system they have. How are they ever going to simplify things for the Olympics in 2012. Here are two masters students in Tourism, blindly looking like tourists trying to find our ways around. Either we are bad students or the tube and train system is a pig trying to figure out in one day.

Besides from the transport, the Sunday was the 13th of November, the day of Remembrance(Poppy day). For a change, London was actually British for the day. a touching and heartfelt day whereby every recognised armed force personal has a right to march past the Cenotaph and everyone has a moment of silence. Highlights of the day; Seeing all the old timers in uniform, adorned in medals, all receiving a thankful nod from passer by's, random "thank you sir's" and general respect in the streets.

Oh, and I got to see the queen and some royalty...

One thing everyone needs to do in their life is make a trip to Cardiff, Wales, especially if you are a rugby fan. Small capital city (350 000 residents). Bug rugby focus. Old city with a HUGE modern rugby stadium at the centre. Its a hallowed experience to do the stadium tour. One day I vow to watch a  game there live.

Cardiff also has this mystical vibe to it. Maybe its the dragon all over on their flag, or the fact that it was a really misty day. But besides from the crazy language that looks like a bad hand in scrabble, it really is a fantastic city that one needs to visit in their life time.
BTW, a had a beer at the Yu Mochan Du ( Pronounced Yee Mo-ckan Zee), called a Cwrw Cymru...jawellnofine.

From Wales two days were spent with family, Si, Ally and their new offspring, Angus Erskin Sutherland Rankin. What a man he is. Always smiling, always happy and the absolute joy of his parents. Spending time with family is always a joy.

One of the main attractions of the trip was a little thing of watching a live game of Footy, at Wembly Stadium! Englad France, what-a-game! Cant ever support the english, frogs are not that much better, but because they are not the english I had to support them. Not too loudly mind you, England is known for hooliganism. Although, a very strange phenomena at English footy games, is that there is absolutely no alcohol allowed to be bought, consumed or spilled while watching the game. No food, no sweets, no chips, no drinks of any sort. Its get in, sit down, cheer and watch the footy. Strange but true.

And thats about all I have to say about that...

Borders mean bugger all

Dont think because you are in Africa and that I am in a first world developed country that things are always better.
Just a few things of the weeks thats been
There's been an outbreak of bacteria in the water in Östersund, thousands (read 20) of people have had been stricken with stomach ailments this last week. There is a plea to boil all our water, even for brushing teeth. Ja ok thanks.

The train service has been given a dunce award this week, after refusing to assist a disabled man off at his stop, so he had to travel to the last stop in the train line. This comes one week after I had a lovely 12 hour ride with the train service, which actually was a bus ride, not a train.

Temperatures have not risen about -7. This means that everything is frozen outside. It also means that bikes dont work to well. My bike for one disintegrated, it fell apart. Other peoples bikes have snapped chains, brakes fail due to being iced up. And most people have at least one story of falling off on ice.

On the other hand, things still work, Christmas comes early, its the first advent so there are lights, candles and decorations everywhere. The smell of glögg and spices fills most peoples places you visit and everywhere people are getting more cheery and actually respond to a friendly hello.

So just signing off from another average week...