Archive for 'Culture'
When Your Tooth Hurts Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 8, 2008
Today is our Queen’s name day (Silvia) and also the first day of the Olympic Games, but I’m not really that fond of either one. The Queen has always struck me as creepily Stepfordish. I mean, is that woman even real or is she just a life-size paper cut-out? You know, like those of Star…
Sami Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 6, 2008
I said last time that I would tell you about the Sami. In fact, I’ve been thinking about a Sami-themed post for quite a while now, or at least every time I listen to Transjoik. Though Transjoik is technically a Norwegian band, we’ll let them in here on an honorary membership. Sami, the people formerly…
World Class Swedish Cuisine Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 3, 2008
Last week when I read about the Swedish agriculture minister Eskil Erlandsson‘s statement that he hopes to establish Sweden as haute cuisine leader of the world, I naturally assumed it was a joke. Or maybe that the venerable government official had one too many shots of Absolut. Because c’mon now, “Sweden” and “world-class” cuisine in…
Blueberry Forecast 2008 Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 23, 2008
Come July and August Swedes change, and quite visibly even. One look at their hands and fingers and you begin to seriously ponder whether or not you are among madmen. Why? Their fingers are red and purple. Sometimes, their mouths are too. Yes, it’s blueberry season! Actually, no. Wait! Technically, it’s “bilberry” in English, Vaccinium…
Sommarstängt Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 18, 2008
The bus strike ended very quietly last Tuesday night, or Wednesday morning, depending on when you go to bed. Our dull and mundane reality has returned even duller and more mundane, if that’s at all possible. And why is that so? It’s July and that means that everything is closed. You think I’m exaggerating when…
Bus Strike Spreads to Västerbotten Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 11, 2008
Yesterday I wanted to see how the bus drivers strike looked like in Västerbotten, which is a province in Norrland where I live. So I borrowed a friend’s car (no buses running, duh!) and drove downtown. Why did I have to borrow a car if my own was sitting safely in its assigned space in…
A Little Bit About Skåne Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 8, 2008
I promised you that we would talk about Skåne today. And depending on how we do, we may have to spread it over several posts. Why? There’s much to talk about! Skåne is a very odd part of Sweden. And some may argue that it’s not even Sweden at all. Well, once upon a time…