Archive for 'Culture'
European Capital of Culture 2014 Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 9, 2009
I really don’t know what to say. Much to my disappointment, it was Umeå, not Lund that became selected as the Swedish candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2014. The jury made its decision yesterday and when the results were announced during a press conference, I know that the good people of Lund…
Buying a Car in Sweden Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 31, 2009
A few days ago one of the readers of this blog asked a question about car dealers in Sweden. He wanted to know whether they are as pushy and obnoxious as their American counterparts. That’s a very good question, but I am not sure whether I am the right person to answer it. Why? I’m…
The End of Apoteket (well, almost) Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 24, 2009
If all goes well, very soon you’ll be able to buy over the counter and prescription medications at your local ICA supermarket! Yay! I’d say it’s about time! You see, until July 1st of this year, Sweden was one of the very few countries left in the world with a state-controlled pharmacy monopoly. That has…
Fun Places in Sweden – Öland Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 21, 2009
If you read with some regularity what I write here on this blog, you might have gotten the impression my most favorite places in Sweden are all in the north. True, many of them are, but not all. Take Öland, for example. Definitely not in the north. In fact, as far as Sweden goes, it’s…
Driving and Driver’s Licenses in Sweden, part 1 Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 11, 2009
So, let’s say you’ve been living in Stockholm, or in another big city for a while. You don’t own a car, because a) public transport is excellent, and b) you ride your bicycle pretty much everywhere pretty much year round. But then your sambo announces that he/she got a job in the sticks. And so…
The Rotting Month Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 4, 2009
So… Another rotting month is upon us. Yes, it’s “rötmånad” time again – from either the 22nd, or 23rd or 24th of July until either the 22nd or 23rd or 24th of August. And to be honest, I really don’t understand why in this day and age we still have to put up with this…
Ticks and Lyme Disease Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 31, 2009
It’s summer in Sweden. And that means, among many other, much more pleasant things, also this – ticks. Yes, ticks. Fästingar, as they’re called in Swedish. Those nasty little creatures and the diseases they cause are no laughing matter. And if you are spending your summers in Sweden, sooner or later you, or your pets…