rose's random rambly writings

According to Swedish calendars, today is Midsummer Eve. In most other countries, this day has a specific date (June 24th) but in Sweden it's always the Friday before the actual day itself. Why? Because it's a day of festivity and we can't have that on any weekday, can we...
Midsummer is traditionally the celebration of summer solstice, but many places it has been Christianised to be the nativity of St. John the Baptist instead. Not in Sweden. Think pagan, and you'll get what this eve is about.

Midsummer Eve is, perhaps together with New Year's Eve, the number one party day in Sweden. If people work this day, they leave early to get ready to the night's big shinding. If you're really traditional, you will start with raising the maypole - a giant phallus in the form of a wooden pole, dressed with leaves and flowers. Once risen, the pole is used to dance around. Kids and adults form a ring around the maypole and sing and dance various songs. Most notable perhaps, is "Little frogs" where they imitate the behaviour of frogs .

Food is very important on this eve. Pickled herring is the number one dish this day. New potatoes is a must, together with sour cream and, hopefully, the year's first batch of fresh, sweet strawberries. And to wash it all down - a shot of aquavit or ten...

Back in the days, Midsummer was considered to be a night of magic. People were afraid to go for a bathe this night because of the Neck, but at the same time it was a perfect night for perfoming rituals to predict the future.
Some old traditions are still preserved, like picking seven different kinds of wild flowers and putting them under the pillow. This would supposedly make you dream of your future spouse. In other words, not a good night for a nightmare...

Have a great Midsummer Eve! And let me know who you dreamt of .

Don't believe me, do you? Well, I have the pictures to prove it...

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I have hardly unpacked my suitcase from this weekend's little trip when it's time to pack again.
I was supposed to go in February, but French airport strikes got in the way. I re-booked to March, but that time work stuff got in the way. This time, so far (*knocks on wood*), everything seems to work out just fine which means I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow after work .
Yes, I think May probably is more enjoyable than February too.

It will be a great opportunity for me to practise my French (which probably is much worse than I want to admit )... But hey - I think I'll manage ordering a drink on an open-air café so I'll be fine .

I'll miss you, and before you ask - yes, I have packed my camera!

Even though I personally think Oslo is far enough north for a poor frozen soul like myself, I'm setting sail - ok, plane - for a city that's just as far north as my Swedish hometown is south from Oslo. That's about 600 kilometers. And less than half the celcius this weekend...

Trondheim is Norway's third largest city, and a pretty cool one to be honest. It hosts the Norwegian University of Science and Technology so there are lots of students around. Actually, almost a fifth of the city's population (which is aound 165 000 in total) are students!
Maybe that's why the atmoshpere is so... laid back. I've been there several times, and really like it there. The city centre mostly consists of cosy, old wooden houses. Well, at least those that didn't get eaten by the many fires that have roared the city...
If it wasn't for the cold climate, I could almost consider moving there.

Trondheim has been inhabited for thousands of years, but was first founded in the year 997 by the king Olav Tryggvason. Back then, it was named Kaupang. Later it changed to Nidaros, but in the Middle Ages, they decided that Trondheim was a much cooler name. Trond is the tribal name of the people (trøndere) who live in the area (Trøndelag) and heim means home in Norwegian. Makes the title a little clearer, huh?
I'm leaving tomorrow after work, and will be back late-ish on Monday evening.

Until then, take care!