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The Swedish Way of Winter

October to Mars

For more or less six months Sweden has been isolated by cold rain, snow or slush. Some days we’ve woken up just to see that the thermometer shows minus 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit).

Which means that our cars are full of frost, and it might take 15 minutes to get it away so that we can see out the windows. Roads might be slippery so car accidents increase dramatically. Minus 15 is so cold that it feels like what’s inside our nostrils freeze. If you lick your lips when you’re outdoors, a dry and irritated lip is a fact. This was a mistake I did EVERY cold day when I was about 6. But finally I learnt to keep my tongue inside my mouth when it was cold.

These months we’ve worn more clothes than some of you have ever worn in your life. Long underwear, winter jacket, scarf, cap and boots. You name it. When it’s been as coldest we’ve worn everything at the same time.

During winter most Swedes rather stay inside and console themselves by eating (kind of). And that’s why we might gain some weight during the winter. We’re not very keen on going outdoors when the road is covered by 30 cm (1 foot) snow and it takes 10 minutes to dress on.

But things have changed. Our winters aren’t as snowy as they have been. In 1995 we got the worst snow storm that at least me, and I think my parents too, have ever experienced. Swedes woke up that morning, to see the whole neighbourhood covered in snow. Some had a hard time even opening the door. They cancelled school for that day, and many people had to stay home from work. Trams in Gothenburg (a big Swedish city), stood still for about a week.

I was only six at this time, so I only have a brief memory of it. My mom and my brother walked to the store. It took them more than one hour to get back home again. A walk that normally takes 20 minutes.

So far I haven’t mentioned anything good about winter. Yes, I hate winter. Just like many other Swedes do. Some say every year:

“Why do we live in Sweden?”

But some of us like winter. Some of us hurry out when the first snow arrives, to make snow angels and snow men and slide on a sledge down a hill.

The only thing I like about winter is that it leaves traces from animals. You can see where the bird has walked or where the cat has been. Another thing I like is when it is snow on Christmas. It’s supposed to be. With Christmas comes snow. But pretty much every year we have no snow on Christmas, but a lot of snow some days later. Unfortunately.

Coming up: The Swedish Way of Winter Turns Into Spring