Herring, Donald Duck & Porridge

I told you that Sweden was a country of traditions didn't i? Its not like you'd ever hear the three words Herring, Donald Duck & Porridge said on the same day if it wasnt for traditions.

I was lucky enough to get invited to spend Christmas, celebrated on the 24th here, with a Swedish family. Swedes you see are pretty private people and to be asked anywhere by them, unless you are their best friend, is quite a feat. SO on the 24th, after missing the train and having to wait another 2 hours for the next, Brendan, his brother Jason and I made it to Markus' house. We ate a delicious meal or in other words had a selection of food from the JulBord.  This included copious amounts of meats of all kind especially herring (fish) which smells AWFUL. It is fermented for months beforehand and you cant stand in the room when it is opened on Christmas day!


Since Sweden has a peasant history, a lot of the food is relatively simple. Traditionally on Christmas Day porridge is served after the main savoury meal, as well as some sweets & peppercorn (gingerbread). They dont have all the yum Sweet dishes like cakes or Pavlova here - such a shame!!


However, glögg, Sweden's version of mulled wine, definitely makes up for the lack of sweet dishes! A LOT of this is consumed prior to Christmas too and I'm not complaining! I've still got a bottle of Chilli glögg on my dressing table! Julmust is another drink consumed around this time. It is literally Christmas drink - basically coke, but with various spices. In the month of December, Coca-Cola ups their TV advertising significantly in Sweden, although with no luck as any Swedes are very loyal when it comes to the JulMust. Our recycling bin was FULL of these bottles after about a week. Total addiction.

On Christmas Day its not just all about the food and drinks though. At 3pm on the 24th, you can be guaranteed that most Swedes will have switched on the TV to watch Donald Duck, Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul (from all of us to all of you). It is basically re-runs of the best Disney clips over an hour or so. If you ask any Swede they'd know the exact order of the clips and be able to quote every line! That's what happens after 20-odd years of watching the same thing over and over again.


Presents are important too, just like any other western country. Lucky for Swedes, because they get the REAL santa deliver them their presents while the dad is out "getting the newspaper". In Christian families, like Markus' the Christmas story is read out too which is really neat. That's what its all about after all!

The Christmas decorations are gorgeous also with Advent stars hung in every Swedes window as well as the Advent Candleholders with 7 candles that are based off the "Menorah", the candle holder in the Bible. "Tomte", a dwarf guardian that represents Santa Claus is everywhere too as well as the JulBock or in other words Christmas Goat. This is made out of straw and put under the Christmas tree, of which they buy just before Christmas and kept until the 20th day after Christmas known as the Knuts day in the Swedish calendar.

Following Christmas on the 24th at Markus' about 10 other exchangers and I celebrated Christmas on 25th at Bredans. Basically cooked/baked/ate alllll day whilst listening to corny Christmas songs. Plus Tez and I did the haka, just for kicks.


I got my university work done and Krystal, my friend from NZ who is currently living in Stockholm came to visit me in Lund. Was lovely to spend a day with her catching up and speaking "kiwi" again.


By Christmas time, the demographic in Lund changed completely. Apart from myself and a select few, students were non-existent. So after Christmas I took advantage of the situation, doing tonnes of baking in my kitchen, being able to do my washing whenever i wanted, going on maaaassive walks for hours in the countryside and hanging out with Brendan and Jason at their place. Was nice and relaxing. Was MINT talking to you TL & BB back home on the 30th - STOKED you have all been having an incredible summer time together!! My hearts with you all!


In amongst the long walks, book reading and movie-watching I went to Copenhagen for New Years with few others. Certainly strange being in a place that was at least thirty degrees colder than im used to! I was supposed to go up to Stockholm with my corridor mate to celebrate with the rich&famous at the Opera House but decided they werent rich and famous enough for me (including the owner of the Turkish bank that was there). In Copenhagen we managed to fit in a wee look around the city on the ferries, having some Chinese & waffles, crashing a private party and being scared to death from the fireworks being let off around town in an uncontrolled manner. Whenever I hear a noise like a gunshot or a bomb, it will always make me remember Copenhagen (not that i hear those noises outside of Copenhagen ever...).

I have no idea what the next few weeks will bring aside from a trip somewhere with Brendan and more R& R before uni starts again on the 19th!

Thinking of you all back home in the summery sunshine! Thanks for all your emails and I'll reply to them as soon as poss!


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