Archive by Author
The Swedish Mile Posted by Marcus Cederström on Jan 12, 2010
Sweden is on the metric system. Actually most of the world is on the metric system, but, having spent the majority of my life in the US, the metric system can sometimes feel a bit foreign. I know it makes sense logically. I know that by studying a few prefixes, anyone can learn the metric…
Biking in the Dark in Sweden Posted by Marcus Cederström on Dec 17, 2009
December 21st is the shortest day of the year. The winter solstice (vintersolståndet). In Stockholm, the sun is supposed to rise at 8:44 am and set at 2:49 pm. In Umeå, way up north, the sun is supposed to rise at 9:21 am and set at 1:46 pm. I say supposed to because the 21st is still…
Sankta Lucia and Fire Hazards Posted by Marcus Cederström on Dec 10, 2009
On December 13th, Swedes will celebrate Saint Lucia, an Italian saint and martyr from the fourth century. Santa Lucia, as both the Saint and the day are known here in Sweden, will be venerated by a stereotypically blonde Swedish girl walking around with live candles on her head. She will be followed by girls in…
Julbocken – Sweden’s Christmas Goat Posted by Marcus Cederström on Dec 3, 2009
I have lived in Sweden for over two years now as an adult. I speak the language fluently. I work here. I even have Swedish citizenship. That doesn’t help; I am still not used to the idea of Julbocken. The Christmas Goat. Julbocken is known in two forms. The first being the large straw version…