Location: Having travelled on what I vow to be the last 7:30am departure from
Midsummer's Eve is the big celebration before the summer solstice throughout Europe. With such anticipation, it was only typical for the day to be sprinkled with sporadic moments of rain throughout the day. It was only perfect timing for clouds to start appearing as we watched the maypole being erected in the local park for the flower-garlanded Swedish kids and their parents to dance around in celebration.
Refreshingly, with key thanks to Phil – who’s been seconded to the city for six months - I had the opportunity to immerse a little in the Viking culture.
Anders, Phil’s manager, generously invited the expats in his team along to his home for a traditional Midsummer's Eve meal. The celebration is said to be as big as Christmas, and arguably more so due to the more hospitable Summer weather.
One of the Spanish colleagues, Eduardo, got me all psyched up as the food was set up.
“Are you ready for some baby seal?”
Presented on the kitchen table was our meal of seal and new potatoes. No, it couldn’t have been. They couldn’t possibly be eating seals!
As I hesitantly dished up my plate with the potatoes, I had to confirm with the chef.
“Seal? No. Sill,” said Anders.
A quick conversation between the two Spaniards, Eduardo and Manuel.
“Ah, arenque”. (Translated from Spanish to English ‘herring’).
My stomach began to settle as I chose from the selection of pickled herring.
Obviously for a country that has restrictions on alcohol, for a celebration, our meal was accompanied by a selection of high percentage Swedish schnapps and assorted beer.
And, with more sunlight in which to play, we were introduced to the old Viking game of Kubb. Played in the park, in good weather, very simply the game consisted of two teams taking turns at throwing sticks to knock down the opponents kubbs(small wooden towers), that were set up on the base lines. The King in the centre of the grounds is knocked down at the finale. Think dodge-ball, with wooden sticks and without the people as obstacles.
We called it a draw at one game all and made way for me beer, wine and snacks inside Anders' Swedish home for the rest of the evening.
Item 27: Göteborg? CHECK!
* Many thanks to Anders for his generous hospitality
* Thanks Phil, for watching sun rise at 3:30am with me on mid-summers day :)
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