Swedish winter

Well, the Spanish road trip is behind us now and we've been back in Gothenburg for a week. The weather here has turned chilly, windy and wet - exactly what you would expect for the west coast of Sweden in December. It is dark too! I'd forgotten what it is like to live in the north. Gothenburg is at about latitude 57 N. Edmonton is at about 53 N. Toronto on the other hand lies at about the same latitude as Monaco, where the temperature yesterday was a sunny 14 degrees. (Monaco not Toronto). All this is to say that even on a sunny day in Gothenburg in December it is getting dark by about 4:30 in the afternoon and at 7:30 in the morning as I have my morning coffee and watch the folk head out to their jobs - it is as dark as if it were the middle of the night.

I remember the winter darkness from my childhood, and in a somewhat strange way it feels kind of comforting. It is kind of cozy to be all warm and toasty inside with the dark wind howling outside. Makes me yearn for a fireplace though!

I went out to the bar last night. Those of you who know me won't be surprised to hear that I already have a 'regular' bar. It is, of course, a friendly place that is quite crowded and busy by about 9pm on most evenings. It was 'hopping' last night. One thing I will not miss about Sweden is being constantly asked about hockey. Once they find out you are from Canada, almost all Swedes (or at least Swedish men) immediately start talking about hockey players. I suppose it may be the one thing our two countries have most in common. I will however, miss the happy friendly partying people.