Sweden 2013 - Back to my Roots in the Land of Liberal Utopia

Sweden 2013 - Back to my Roots in the Land of Liberal Utopia

 

Back to Sweden! This was a special, emotional trip for me. I lived in the north of Sweden in a city called Umeå as a 16 year old exchange student. The year forever changed my life. I was due for a return journey.

In case you didn't know...Sweden is a peaceful country in Scandinavia (northern Europe). The country is neutral and has admirably not been in a war since 1814. The size of the land is slightly larger than California and there are about 9.5 million inhabitants. The capital city of Stockholm has about 2 million people in the metro area. Sweden is renowned for having a very well balanced, equal society while still remaining economically competitive globally. The country has the 8^th highest per capita income in the world and has a very low Gini coefficient (meaning it has high income equality). Swedes pay high taxes but receive excellent benefits including highly subsidized healthcare and university education. Swedes speak their own language of Swedish and use the Swedish Krona. The cost of goods and services is much higher than in the US.  

Map of Sweden

Commentary: Sweden has built a prosperous and relatively egalitarian society but it faces challenges. The cold, dark climate drives many Swedes to other countries and results in a low population growth rate. Sweden has counter balanced this by allowing a significant number of immigrants and political refugees, which make up about 15% of the population. Immigration comes with side effects such as racism, a lack of upward mobility for non-natives, and a higher crime rate. This was evident in the Stockholm riots in 2013 that shocked the country. The world is changing fast and this will undoubtedly have an impact on the Swedish way of life. Can the Swedes maintain their high wages and generous social benefits when populations in the developing world are willing to work harder and longer for less pay? How will Sweden deal with an increasingly ageing, dysfunctional and debt ridden European Union? Albeit difficult, these are questions that Sweden is well positioned to answer going forward.

Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden

Ok, back to the trip. This trip started in Stockholm where I met up with my American relatives from Colorado. They were coincidentally traveling to Sweden at the same exact time so we traveled together for 3 days! We toured Stockholm for a day. We went to the Vasa Museum, a must see! The Vasa is one of my favorite museums. The ship sunk quickly in 1628 and was resurrected in 1961. The wood ship is spectacular and the museum brings the time period to life with vivid descriptions and exhibits. The Vasa was a 64 gun war ship put together with the lower sections of all three masts and a new bowsprit. 30 bodies were found during the excavation. Intricate artistry was evident all over the ship.

Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden

Then we drove down south to the city of Kalmar and saw Kalmar Castle (Slott). We had a fun time exploring the castle. It was built in the 12 century and experienced many wars between Sweden and Denmark. In 1397, when the Kalmar Union was formed - a union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden was organized by Queen Margaret I of Denmark.

Kalmar Castle in Kalmar, Sweden

The third day we were lucky to meet up with our Swedish relatives in rural Småland where my grandmother Marie Peterson MacDonald lived. Back to the roots! We found our way to Gullabo and Öjebamåla villages in Småland, Sweden!  We received a great tour. It was hard to believe that our roots went back so many generations to the 1300s. Our Swedish relatives were such nice hosts too! 

Meeting with Swedish Relatives

I went to Malmö and Helsingborg to visit friends and see the Skåne region of southern Sweden. Both cities were very nice and a day trip to Denmark happened spontaneously! We checked out the museum of modern art. There was a trippy Yoko Ono exhibit. The exhibit was interesting and far out. We also swung by Kronborg castle in Denmark, built in the 1420s. It is known as Elsinore in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. 

In Denmark at the Museum of Modern Art

I spent a weekend in Stockholm and reconnected with my long lost host brother and his girl. They took me all over Stockholm including a boat tour of the scenic city which is scattered on islands and surrounded by water. We also cruised Gamla Stan (old town), and went to some cool restaurants, bars and clubs with friends. We went to Trägarden - a cool indoor/ outdoor club under a bridge in Stockholm with DJs in multiple rooms playing different electronic music. I was also fortunate to link up with old friends living in the area. They went well out of their way to meet up and reconnect. We also went to the posh area of Stockholm and the Swedes were as fashionable and attractive as their reputation.

Stockhom, Sweden - A City on Islands

The final leg of the trip put me on a short flight up north to Umeå (population 100,000 metro) in the Västerbotten region, not far from the Arctic Circle. My host family picked me up. They are like family to me and I am very grateful for the year that they put up with me when I was a 16 teenager! The experience of reconnecting with the family was surreal, like a dream...The parents and the three guys (who were 8, 6 and 4 and now in their 20s) hosted me for a fantastic week. We caught up, ate and drank Swedish style, and got reacquainted. 

Reunited with my Swedish Host Family from when I was an Exchange Student

I enjoyed seeing the city from my memories - downtown, the museum, birch trees, endless forests, bike paths, and red and yellow painted houses. The regional museum houses some of the oldest skis in the world, dating back thousands of years! I was very happy to see the Näslunds’ extended family and close friends that I knew as a youth. 

In Downtown Umeå, Sweden

I also got a cool brewery tour from a neighbor. He taught us a lot and we tasted some excellent U&Me beer. Speaking of beer, I had a blast hanging with some of my best buds from the exchange year. We played on a traveling basketball team but we really went through so many intense life experiences together. Great to see those guys! 

U&Me Beer at the Brewery in Umeå, Sweden

Finally the trip culminated with the life celebration that is Midsommer in Sweden! We lucked out with sunny weather. What a day! Eating, drinking (lots), singing, music, soccer, golf, going to the beach, talking, laughing, reuniting with friends, drinking, games, campfire sessions, and a plunge into the ocean at 3am! It was difficult to sleet with 24 hour daylight! Yes, no darkness for a week! Thank you so much for your hospitality Sweden! 

Midsommar near Umeå, Sweden

Tack så mycket Sverige! Det var mycket spännande och emotionell för mig att kom tillbaka och helsa på landet, språket, och mest viktigaste - vänner och familj. Du är ett generöst folk och jag är lyckligt att känna igen dig. Jag kommer tillbaka, självklart. Ja ja men!