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| Enjoying the first snowfall. |
Looking out my bedroom window I can certainly say I am glad to be inside as the cold wind is blowing trees from side to side and snow is ceaselessly falling from the sky without any indication of when it may stop. It is safe to say that winter has definitely arrived in Trollhättan. A snow blizzard started on Saturday morning and continued for most of the day, but being typical students from Northern Ireland we didn’t hesitate to venture outside in such conditions. Maria, Megan and I wrapped up warm from head to toe and bravely stepped out into our first Swedish snowfall (although we are pretty sure that there will be more to come). However, the weather has made some things more difficult such as shopping, as there is a tricky walk back, especially now that there is snow and ice.
Food shopping in Trollhättan is quite simple as there are only two shopping centres, Lidl and Willy’s. After shopping at Lidl in week one, we decided that we needed more variety in our meals and hearing from other Erasmus students that Willy’s had some goods we get in Northern Ireland we headed off on a mission to find them. We were not disappointed as we were able to get ‘Hellman’s’ mayonnaise and ‘Uncle Ben’s’ curry sauce; the only problem with shopping at Willy’s is the journey back with two heavy shopping bags each. This surprisingly requires a lot of skill, you must carry your two bags without hitting or scrapping them along the ground for fear of losing your food as well as remaining perfectly poised in the icy conditions! We are beginning to get stronger as carrying the bags back to our apartment is a lengthy walk. I don’t think I will be subscribing to the gym any time soon as I feel that the amount of walking I do here is enough and carrying the shopping bags is the equivalent of weight training. Numerous bags now have holes in them from being over packed and scrapped along the ground so perhaps next week we will have to buy more. More money spent on ridiculous things. I definitely think that people in Northern Ireland take the free bags for granted.
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| Attempting to speak French with Capucine. |
The Swedish language is very difficult to understand but I have my list of vocabulary from the Swedish classes at Stranmillis which does come in handy. I have learnt how to work the washing machines and tumble driers which are all in Swedish although if I am being truthful I do guess most of the time. If I ever try to use Swedish the local people do not understand my accent and I ask ‘Do you speak English?’ ‘Yes’ is the most common reply and the local people are very happy to help you with whatever you need such as directions or information about the area. Having English as a native language makes it easy to mix with the other Erasmus students as they all speak English as their second or third language! It does make me realise that I would like to be able to speak another language fluently but when I speak to any of the other students I nearly always have to repeat more slowly, so I guess I have a different form of English from what they have learnt! I have also tried to use some of my existing language skills in French and German but to no avail they are useless. None of the students from France or Germany understand a word I say (even when I try with an accent) but perhaps through time I will improve. This Thursday we were all invited for an Italian meal which was cooked by an Italian student. I must admit it was delicious. Real Italian cuisine cooked by a real Italian! It was very different compared to the way in which we eat our meals, usually Megan, Maria and I sit down at dinner time to one plate of food whereas here we had many plates of food, starters, appetizers and a main. The time-scale of the meal probably lasted for three hours or so and the environment was very relaxing and didn’t feel rushed like it does back home.
Being in Sweden is without a doubt a new lifestyle for me as I do not live in Belfast. I am used to driving into the city to get to Stranmillis in the morning in my own car, but here I either catch the bus or walk. I did think that this would be a major adjustment for me but I really enjoy the thirty minute walk in the morning as the fresh air wakes me up. However, coming back is a different story, I am tired and want warmth but as it is Sweden and everything costs money... we walk.
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| The journey we will take next week. |
Now that it is nearing the end of the week the snow is still here but the ‘Hellman’s’ mayonnaise is nearly gone. The temperature is continuing to drop below zero which makes me absolutely glad that I brought my thermal leggings and ski clothes. Next week we are intending on taking a trip to Gothenburg with a few other Erasmus students to do some exploring and sight-seeing.
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