My initial reactions to SWEDEN!!

So I have been in Sweden since January 6, 2011.  That makes today almost 2 weeks, it's 2 am Tuesday here right now as I write this.  It's 5 pm Monday in San Diego and 8 pm Monday in DC.

I am in Stockholm and will be here for another 4 days.  Then I'm off to London.

My initial reactions to the country are this:
1. Temperature- It's frickin cold!  Daily temp hovers between -5 and 3 (celcius, so around the upper 20s/lower 30s F).  Some days it's snowing, some days it's not.  Yesterday, it rained.  But above all else, COLD!  But of course, it's winter.  I hear summer is just divine, so most of this won't apply then (I hope)
2. Road Conditions - As a part of the constant coldness, ice is also everywhere.  And I mean everywhere.  It's on the roads, on the sidewalks, hanging from the tops of the buildings... teams of government employees actually go around all day knocking snow and ice from the roofs so that it doesn't unexpectedly fall on somebody and kill them.
3. Daylight - The sun appears for approximately six hours a day.  That's between 9 am-ish and 3 pm.  So it's basically dark all day.

My initial reactions to the way things are run out here:
1. Public Transportation - You can get ANYWHERE using public transportation.  You people from San Diego know that this is something we are used to going without.  I have survived on the tube, tram, bus, and now ferry (all using the same pass - it's a lot like an unlimited metro smart card).  This is an incredibly easy city to navigate.
2. Housing/Cost of Living - This seems to be consistent with what people pay in any expensive city in the U.S. to include San Diego, Washington D.C. (basically, anywhere I have lived already), New York, LA, etc. It's expensive here, but it's just as expensive as it is in any other expensive place.
3. Boots - I have never understood the need to have shoes that cover your ankles to be so vital as I have here.  I came prepared, but wow from high top sneakers to booties to full on tundra gear, if you come to Sweden you better come with boots.

My initial reactions to dance here:
1. FRIENDLY!!! - I wonder if when people come to D.C. and San Diego, if they think we're as kind as I've come to find that the Salseros/West Coasters here are.  I truly feel like, after only a few days, I have already become a welcomed part of the scene here.  These dancers are some of the nicest you could meet, you guys are awesome!!  Special shout out especially to Aram!  My salsa ambassador who has lead the way in introducing me to everybody, your help has been invaluable!  Come back to San Diego, asap!!
2. Salsa On1 or On2? - most the dancers here that I have seen dance On1, with a handful of really awesome On2 dancers.  But all in all, the scene is a lot of fun.  The groups seem really dedicated to helping make the scene grow.
3. WCS - there is a little scene here, maybe two dozen people?  They are all from salsa (right?) so I met the WCS people at salsa (thanks Jose!!).  Again, super friendly and awesome dancers.  You guys especially should come to San Diego... it's the WCS mecca!

My initial reactions to the people in general are this:
1. Everyone speaks English.  And speaks it with an American accent.  It's actually sorta trippy.  Every single person I have encountered who didn't know me automatically began the conversation in Swedish, I would tell them I only speak English, and then BAM it would be like I was suddenly speaking to an American.  And these accents are not Swedish-American.  These are American accents, spoken like anybody from the east or west coast.  This is weird for me, but comforting especially when I need something.  But still weird, I totally want to learn Swedish now so I can do the awesome switch too.  I'm doing well though lol I had my first conversation entirely in Swedish the other day that consisted of using only the words "Hej" and "Tack" lol
2. Sweden must think it's in competition for being the nicest country in the world.  I have had such an amazing time here so far, I actually am a little disappointed that I will be leaving.  Everyone here has been incredibly kind and generous.  And I mean everybody.
3. Swedish people have a definite "look."  I notice it more when I mention someone and try to describe them... blonde hair, blue eyes, Swedish... oh wait.  That's basically everybody lol.  But what a beautiful people, truly.

Other things I have come to learn/realize:
- If you use it in the states, bring it with you.  Bring travel sizes, but don't assume your destination sells it.
- Pack light.  There are washers and dryers (or sunlight) in the world.  One week's worth of clothing should be fine.
- In Sweden, you need chapstick!  It's hella dry here!
- Wear layers.  Assume you should dress as if you will be skiing at all times.  But in a very fashionable way.
- "Tack" means thank you.  "Varsagod" pronounced like "Varshagood" means you're welcome.
- "Hej" means hello, but it's pronounced like "Hey."  So people are just saying hello, they're not really saying "what's up" or anything when they say it.
- Things that need "adapters" and not "converters" - basically anything that's a charger will work on a 110 to 240V system.  This includes laptops, phone chargers, camera battery chargers, etc.  But anything that powers directly from the power source and not a battery (like blow dryers/flat irons/etc.) need a voltage adapter.  Otherwise, it will explode.
- Everything here looks like it was designed at IKEA and a lot of it is
- Where is the Swedish food?  A lot of ethnic restaurants here, so expect to eat plenty of greek, thai, lebanese, McDonalds, etc. if you go out to eat.  But no Swedish food.
- And in case you were wondering, there are no black people here.  Only me.  And Amber.  lol

As my trip in Sweden comes to an end and my excursion in London approaches, I MUST say THANK YOU'S to...
- My FAMILY for being super supportive.  Mom, Dad, Zeke, Granny... you guys are my life.  Thank you for understanding everything and for always being there.  I can't express enough how much I love each of you.
- Amber and Erik - I have taken over your living room and am eating up your yummy food (Amber - hot damn, I never knew you could cook like that! Awesome!!) and really "living" with you.  Thank you SO MUCH for giving me a home away from home, being with you two has truly made this trip even more memorable.  Incredible, I don't know what I would have done without you two.
-My Salsa (and WCS) Friends! - Aram, Christian, Jose, Malin, Patrik, Yordanka (and Mattias!!)... thank you soooo much for helping me get around and for introducing me to other people (and for speaking English around me lol).  You guys have been a godsend, I wouldn't have had nearly as much fun as I have had without you.  The salsa clubs, house parties, chats over coffee, late night eating, Swedish nightclub... all have been amazing!
- My Couchsurfing buddies!  Karim and Martin... thank you both for being such amazing tour guides and for the "fika," dinners, conversations, etc.  And I give you both big props for giving salsa a try!!  I hope that when I come back, you both are expert dancers and we can all dance the night away.

In case you're wondering, I'm having the time of my life.  I am definitely coming back to Sweden.  I miss you all already :(  But I'll be back to Sweden soon! :)