As you probably already know, my wife grew up in a small town called Mariefred. Considering how small is this town, there are many “Polish traces” there. I wrote here about Polish submarines, interned in Sweden during the war, but now we’ll go back in time some 450 years.
Looking at the subject of my daily blog posts on Facebook, it is easy to forget that my blog was supposed to be a travel blog, and the history was only a background. But life turned out differently 😉 It does not change the fact that travelling is still a very important part of my life (temporarily, thanks to my triplets, I only travel on the map), and food is an important part of these travels. In each country, you can find local culinary gems. In Sweden, such a “gem” is Surströmming, fermented herring. The third Thursday of August is traditionally the Day of Fermented Herring (Swedish: Surströmmingspremiären), when the season starts, which lasts roughly till the first half of September. I tried this herring as well.
Surströmming tin and the landscape of the west coast of Sweden.
13 December is a special day in Sweden. On this day Saint Lucy’s Day is celebrated (Sankta Lucia) and is accompanied by specific celebrations.
Saint Lucy’s Day concert
Despite the unexpected attack of winter in Europe it’s impossible to hide the fact that the spring is approaching with big steps. I will end the winter period with blog entry. During the first weekend of March Sweden hosted an annual 90-kilometre Vasa Race (Swedish: Vasaloppet) in Sweden. This race takes place in the Dalarna county which symbol is the so-called Dalarna Horse (Swedish: Dalahäst) and is part of the so-called Winter Week, when different length races take place. Two years ago in February I spent a few days there, let me then describe my experiences.
Dalarna Horse
You will think I’m crazy – two entries in a week?!? But this one will be short and not on the subject (and what is the subject somebody might ask). I do not know if the inspiration came from the Heart of Darkness which I’m reading now again or from Shantaram which I want to read again as the second part is on the shelf getting dusty. Or perhaps I have always had a weakness for anything “exotic”. Continue reading
Flag Day, May 3rd Constitution Day are a very good reason to write something. Today’s topic is not new, a doctoral dissertation has been written on the subject. Let me tell you then a few words about my short but eventful visit to Sweden.
I started my first visit to my girlfriend’s country in her hometown, Mariefred. Seemingly normal, sleepy town on the shores of Lake Mälaren but surprisingly with many Polish traces. Continue reading
Christmas is over… In order to keep the Christmas spirit for a little longer I’ll describe my holidays in Sweden. It was my first non-Polish Christmas and I have to admit I liked it.
Before you ask let me just say that there was no snow. It started to snow on the way to the airport and covered everything very quickly. My girlfriend comes from Mariefred, a small town 30 mins by train from Stockholm so it is in the south and apparently snow does not fall until beginning of year. But I guess it’s time to start the post. Continue reading
I look for Polish traces around the world and present them to readers. I also write about my travels in and outside Europe.
Polish traces around the world 