Winter Wonderland

I woke up this morning to big flakes of white descending slowly towards the already coated ground… and I thought… “well it’s about time!”

I took my walk through the winter wonderland with my employer, Greta; about a good two hour hike through the woods was just what I needed! With the fresh coat of snow, everything was bright and happy, a nice change from the gloom and muck of the rain we’ve been getting!

One thing that I notice is how many Swedes were out walking in the weather, especially whole family of Swedes, with baby carriages and grandmas in tow! I don’t know how many American families go out for a walk in the wilderness on a regular basis together but from what I have experienced, it’s not many. That’s one thing I have to comment on- in a way Swedes enjoy the outdoors much more than we Americans do in general. You can imagine for yourself the typical Swedish mother- packing a snack of coffee and cinnamon buns and pushing her kids out on skis for a wonderful cross country skiing adventure.  

On my walk Greta and I were talking about all sorts of things, but one of the first points she made to me was that I have reached my half-way point. That shocked me! So much has happened in the last six months and it has simply flown by. We started talking about what I’m going to do with the rest of my time here, what I’m going to do when I get home, if I wanted to come back and work and go to school here… lots of things discussed! Honestly I’m not 100% sure what my plans are but it is certainly time for me to start deciding these things.

As we strolled through the forest, we came along the sea shore. Once again I was mesmerized by the magical appearance of the water- when I saw the haze made by the snow and the grey of the sea and Denmark looming on the other side- I saw a true winter wonderland.  

This week I’m going to the dentist! It’s amazing, I got a letter from the local dentist saying that I needed to come in, so I called them up and made sure that they knew I wasn’t Swedish and that I wished to cancel my appointment, (I didn’t want to pay for it). The lady on the other end asked me if I had a personal number (which I do) and she told me that since I am 18, and have a person number, I benefit from the medical system Sweden has; therefore I get to go to the dentist for free! Of course I couldn’t refuse that so I’m going! It’ll be interesting to compare if this tax-sponsored Swedish dentist is as good as the well-paid American dentists.

This country just gets more and more interesting!