Djurgården Day Trip
The first day trip we had with my program was going to Djurgården. Djurgården is an area of Stockholm with tons of museums and beautiful parks. Truly some of the most beautiful parks, scenery, and architecture I have ever seen. We had a choice to go to either an art museum or the Vasa museum. I had chosen the Vasa museum, as if I am honest I thought it was the viking museum. However, it was not and it was actually a museum about a 1600s ship that sunk. It was truly a detailed and artistic ship. The detail on every inch of the ship was insane to see in person. I was also reminded how political leaders constantly show off their wealth and success, in similar, but different ways modernly.
The museum tour lasted about 35 minutes. I know riveting, it truly was just the ship. After the tour, I had gone with friends to explore and get a treat! We had about an hour break before our designated lunch break. It was such a nice and warm day, which, warm here is about 70 Fahrenheit (not that hot), so we got gelato! I got a vanilla gelato, my friends got a variation of lemon, mango, vanilla, and biscoff affogatto. We sat at the marina dock, enjoyed the sun, and finished our gelatos!
Finally, it was lunch time and we were able to eat… for me this was a FIASCO! I have both celiac and a nut allergy, which is always hard. There was so much back and forth with the manager. I had a sneaking suspicion that my food wasn’t gluten free, but he was insistent it was. I had asked a different server who then checked with the manager; it in fact was NOT gluten free. They then offered me gnocchi (which often is not gluten free) but it was a pesto sauce. I am allergic to pine nuts so I couldn’t eat it, they then gave me the fish dish. However, the menu said the fish dish had hazelnuts, but the manager once again insisted it didn’t. Let’s just say I ended up not eating the fish, however, the crème brûlée, was AMAZING.
I was obviously still hungry so I got MAX, which is Swedish McDonald’s. They have gluten free buns there and the fries are made in their own oil. Side note, McDonald’s here is also gluten free. The burger meal I got was truly amazing, it is like healthy fast food, and very affordable!
Work Balance
Time management with a startup in the United States is hard, and in Sweden it is very similar. While sometimes you are super busy helping your bosses with small tasks, other times you are sitting and doing nothing. There is a natural ebb and flow with these types of work places.
I have not entirely struggled with time management as I was busy working on completing my main task. However, as I am currently waiting on responses and data to input into the report, there is more waiting. I would say I definitely do not struggle with not having too much time, but doing too much too fast. I am starting to learn to pace myself with the work environment. I have also learned that while this task is important for me to do it is not a priority for others. For example, one coworker is always traveling for meeting clients and manage product production. I have learned that he will get back to me when he can, and that sending follow up emails is enough. In the meantime, I try and help out those around me.
Honestly, there is not much time management issues I struggle with it the Swedish workplace. I think this is partially because your work is based on your pace. However, this might change in the future.
Vaxholm: Midsummer
Now, this is one of the things I was most excited for with this trip, Midsommar!! My roommate, myself, and some friends, planned to celebrate in Vaxholm. There were many options given to us by our program coordinators. However, we chose Vaxholm as it was in the countryside, and it was free entry. However first we needed flower crowns! My roommate and I stopped at the city center to get some flower crowns. Although, you have to haggle for the best prices.
After we bought our crowns, we had to get to Vaxholm! We had gotten on the metro and made it to the bus stop around 1:15. We thought we planned enough time, but when we got to the stop the line was incredibly long. We ended up having to stand in the double decker bus (we don’t think we were allowed but oh well). We got snacks once we were there and we played card games while they set up the maypole.
Once the maypole went up, they had a procession towards the pole. Then there were dancers, we got to see them! The dancers were wearing traditional Swedish clothing, which was so pretty. After the dancers were finished, we started to form rings around the pole. My friends and I danced around the maypole wearing our flower crowns. This was truly such an amazing experience, especially doing the frog dance! In keeping with the tradition with Midsommar, we ate MAX after. As a group we went to Östermalm that night and Gamla Stan the next night.
This week was so fun, and truly an unforgettable experience!