Vecka fyra

 This week my sister was over visiting. We went to Stockholm where we did some sightseeing. We went to the Royal Palace which was exciting as I’ve never seen one before. We also saw the changing of the guards where there was a short parade. We also saw some beautiful sights of Sweden during our travels around. We also went skiing for a day which was unbelievable, and we survived with no injuries! During the ski trip I noticed the tiny children, some no more than 4 years old skiing down the mountain with absolutely no fear. I was amazed as children of this age at home can’t even tie their shoes and here are children putting on their own skis, getting the chairlift up the mountain, and skiing down successfully all by themselves. It’s amazing to see the difference in cultures, even for little things such as this.

In front of the Royal Palace in Stockholm

We also went to an ice-hockey match with some friends which was exciting as I’ve never seen one before. We were standing in a perfect spot for the game as we were beside all the real fans, chanting and playing drums. As all the chants were in Swedish they were quite difficult so we will have to get practising for the next time we go to one.

My sister and I also went to Goteborg this week. I absolutely loved it. It is a fantastic city. W e went to a huge park which had a small zoo in it and I got to see an elk! We also went to an aquarium where we saw some sharks and some really beautiful fish.

During my travels throughout Sweden I noticed that there are not very many people suffering from poverty or homelessness. Compared to Ireland where one could note poorer people/homeless on almost every street, I think on my trip here and after visiting the different cities I noticed three in total. Presumably this is due to the high tax rates and the benefits which people can avail from due to these. It’s seems that most Swedish people are of the one class whereas in Ireland one can clearly notice the differences in people from different areas.  I think Ireland could learn a trick or two from the Swedish system!

I met up with my buddy again this week. She was helping me to practise my Swedish. I’m still working on it, it’s very difficult, but I’m getting there, hopefully by the end of the semester I will be able to have a full conversation!

Until next time.....