day 159 of 318 - HALFWAY

Yes, you understod right: I really counted the days of my exchange year. And when I finished counting, I found out that the 22nd of january (today) is the exact middle of my time in Sweden. I can hardly believe it! I experienced so much in this five months, but it still feels as if they were maximal three. I really hope the second half takes a little more time and doesn't past by like a flash... There was one important thing I had to do today: asking about my accent. My friends in school said I sound kind of Norwegian, my hostfamily said I sound German. It would be so cool to speak accentfree Swedish, but I'm already very glad that I manage to speak without thinking about every singel word and grammar form. To begin the second half is so much easier than the first. I'm used to the area, the school, the language, my friends and my lovely family. Even if I miss all these wonderful people at home in Switzerland, I could never go back already at this point. I'm having a really good time at the moment, now when the grey moths are defenetly over and the brighter ones come soon. Just for feeling cool: at this point I'm finish with my 6th book in Swedish; I'm proud of myself. Reading is absolutely my favorite way to learn foreign languages. For the spring half I can promise you one thing: there will be no less blogging than before. I'm looking forward to the many new adventures, which are waiting for me to explore! I am very pleased to stay and enjoy this country and culture one more 159 days.

Christmas / New Years Eve

The day after my last post we travelled about four hours (not including the lunch-stop at Jonas' parents house) to Gopshus - a little village near Mora in Dalarna. Karin found a very cozy cabine on the internet and hired it for the first week of Christmas holidays. Beside the fact that snow is a rarity even in the north this winter, the vacation was absolutely super! We played boardgames, watched many films, read great books, ate the most delicious food and sweets and didn't spend one single thought with school or work.

 As you see, there was not that much snow, but it was very icey...

David and Jonas fixing the Christmastree's crowne

Inspite we actually already knew that there won't be that much snow, we took the cross-country skis with us anyway. And we got our chance on monday the 23rd. After a short ride with the car, we finally found a cross-country ski run with enough snow. I fell about 12 times and even managed to sprain my thumb, but it was funny to test cross-country skiing for the first time in my life. When we were back in the cabine again, we all had very healthy red cheeks from the fresh, cold air outside. :-)

 Me, trying to look like a professional...

Then the Christmas Eve came. Well, when I can tell one thing, then that Swedes really do know how to celebrate Christmas. We went up in the morning and already got a first present (for me the swedish book "Cirkeln" - very gripping). There was also a present for the whole family: a boardgame. After eating breakfast and getting dressed, we played "Ticket to ride" until it was time for lunch. The Lunch: YUMMY! Sill, sausage, ham, potatoes, pie, meatballs, ect. It was simply delicious! At precisely 3 o'clock, it was time for an old swedish tradition: watching Kalle Anka & CO (Donald Duck and company) on TV. Whole Sweden is watching exactly the same Disney films every year without exception. The only thing that changes are the two shortfilms at the end, which are new ones every year. Then after this Must, we got our presents from Santa (I don't know why, but it almost seemed like Santa is similar to David and Ylva... what a funny happenstance). I got so many very very lovely presents and I want to thank everyone who made such an effort for me. Thank you!
Because of the very big lunch, we only ate julgröt (eng. Christmas porridge) for dinner. It was such a cozy day and I really enjoyed to spend it with my wonderful hostfamily.

 The Christmas lunch. It's important to eat slowly and taking breaks in-between, otherwise it would be impossible to taste everything on the table.
Please take a short momtent to admire this cool candlestick above the table. Blacksmith is still my favorite handcraft.

Our cute little Christmastree standing under the moose horn

The next day, when we took a little walk to Gopshus (our cabine was a bit outside), we saw on a letter, that there would be a dancing around the Christmastree on thursday (which was the next day). To dance around the tree is typically Swedish, so I wanted to experience it and that's why we all turned back to Gopshus the next evening. We didn't know anybody there of course, but they were pleased to welcome us. In one small and one large circle we danced singing around the tree and had a good time. I didn't know the songs of course, but I tried to catch up and did my best in dancing. Then Santa came, again. This time he was not rerecognisable (Santa's changing face...?) but we "kids" got a bag with apples, raisins and candies anyway. It was really funny to get so close to the Swedish tradition, I will never forget this.

This is the tree we were dancing around.

On friday, the last day, we drove to Nusnäs, where the Dala horse factory is, and then to the city in Mora. The factory was great. You could go around and watch people manufacture Dala horses. Every horse is handmade down to the smallest detail. It's absolutely worth a visit!

 This is the first step: after painting the basic form onto wood, you have to cut it out.

 The manufacturers carve the Dala horses to their plastic form with special knives.

 An extraordinary, paraglide jumping Dala horse... why always graving the same boring form? ;-)

 After painting the horses in their basic coulour, you can see small faults better and correct them before you paint them again.

I could have beed staying there for hours, watching this highly talanted woman painting the design. All by hand and without any picture for help. She must have been doing this for a really long time.

On saturday it was time to travel home to Huddinge again, because we were expecting guests on sunday. A chummy family of the Lindmarks was coming for celebrating New Years Eve. It was wonderful to start the new year at this place that became my second home. Definetly an unforgetable moment.

 We youngsters were performing the song "Tänd ett ljus" (eng. light a candle) for the adults

 At midnight everyone was standing outside and watching the fireworks all around. We decided to take it easily and let lanterns raise into the sky (don't tell anybody that we almost burned down a tree...).

To all of you: HAPPY NEW YEAR!