This is what we talk about in Sweden today:

The volcano on Iceland that causes chaos –  but not on Iceland
A volcano in the Eyjafjallajoekull area on Iceland has erupted for the second time in a month and this time, almost all of Northern Europe is hit in a rather unexpected way, I’m sure you have all heard about this by now. But anyway, over 4000 flights are cancelled in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain and The Netherlands because of the big cloud of ashes above us. This is the biggest flight stop ever in history and no one really knows when it will be lifted (just heard someone on the news talking about a volcano eruption that lasted for about a year… ) and all airports in Sweden are filled with disappointed travellers that are missing out on weddings, honeymoons, long awaited holidays etc. I can probably think about at least ten good reasons to why a plane can’t take off as scheduled (fog, ice, storm, threats…) but I would never considered that a volcano – on Iceland! – would spoil my week in the sun.

A useful talk of the town-phrase:
Har du några flygresor planerade inom den närmaste framtiden?
Do you have any flights scheduled in the nearest future?

Vulkan = Volcano
Aska = Ashes
Flygplan = Aeroplane
Flygplats = Airport

The new budget for the election year 2010
Every spring and every autumn, Sweden’s finance minister Anders Borg presents the new budget for the year and since 2010 is an election year, this is important stuff fot the government and for the Swedes. The budget was presented at the finance department earlier today and contained – amongst many other propositions – a big investment to create jobs for young people and new ways for unemployed people over the age of 55 to get back to work. The unemployment rate in Sweden is steadily going down and is calculated to peak at 9.2% this year, which is better than expected. But and it will take at least three more years until it’s back to a more normal pre-crisis rate at 6.7%. But at least it’s looking brighter!

A useful talk of the town-phrase:
Gynnas du av den nya vårbudgeten?
Will the new spring budget benefit you?

Budgetförslag = Budget proposition
Finansminister = Finance minister
Valår = Election year
Arbetslös = Unemployed

The wedding that won’t happen
Sweden is – or was I should say – gearing up for not only one but two royal weddings this year. First, our crown princess Victoria is marrying her Daniel on the 19th of June. And then, two month later, her younger sister Madeleine were supposed to marry her Jonas… until yesterday, when our queen announced that Madeleine’s wedding will have to wait. The official reason: There’s not enough time to prepare for two weddings. The talk of the town: Madeleine and Jonas are breaking up but they can’t make it official until after Victoria’s wedding, because a break up would cast a shadow and steal to much of the limelight…

A useful phrase if you talk to a Swede:
Tror du att det är slut mellan Madeleine och Jonas?
Do you think it’s over between Madeleine and Jonas?

Kungligt bröllop = Royal wedding
Prinsessa = Princess
Drottning = Queen
Förlovning = Engagement

What do you talk about today?