The first month!

I cannot believe we have been in Sweden for one month.  Sometimes it feels like we just arrived and other days it feels like we have been here for a lot longer than a month.  Here is a short list of the most important things that Ray and I have learned in our first month in Sweden.

1. Reliable and safe public transportation is awesome but takes patience.
2. Never leave home without a rain jacket and the rain cover for the stroller.
3. Despite the worrying Annalise and Lucas love sharing a room and both of them are sleeping well.
4. If it is sunny get outside and enjoy it.
5. You cannot do squat without a personal number.
6. When you are a foreigner it is easiest to meet other foreigners.
7. A steady diet of coffee, pastries, and cheese makes for beautiful people.
8. No matter where we live we will always fika.
9. Road bikes and cobblestone streets do not go together.
10. Always keep potty money on hand, usually you need 5 kroner to go.
11. Swedes like to use the phrase, "no problem" but I'm not sure they know what it means.
12. I will get back to you in 5 minutes could actually mean five hours or five days.
13. Bicyclists rule!
14. Foggy days can be warm and pleasant.
15. Everybody speaks beautiful fluent English even if they say they say they only speak a little bit. Although all adults speak English kids who speak English are rare.
16. Swedes separate their recycling into multiple categories.
17. The washing machines aren't broken; no laundry after 8 pm.
18. Despite hearing that Swedes are reserved there are a few outgoing ones!
19. We will meet wonderful, friendly people wherever we go.
20. The Swedes know how to celebrate the successful defense of a dissertation.
21. Don't worry about customs.
22. Traveling by train is really fun.
23. Lund is an awesome city and that will be so fun to explore.
24. Spend good money on waterproof shoes and outerwear, it is worth it.
25. Things will go wrong (stroller breaks, computer charger doesn't work, sweater and sweatshirt rip, breast pump charger gets fried when it is needed) but it all works out somehow.
26. Ryan Air is so cheap!
27. Life without a car is a big adjustment.
28. "Slut" has a very different meaning in Sweden.

Here is a compilation of photos from our first month.



Sending hugs from Sweden!