The cold weather woke me up one rainy morning and as I looked on my schedule for the day, I realized that it’s been a month since I stepped in this land where the Vikings originated.  It was in high school when I first heard about the Vikings through my World History class. They were known to be fierce and they traveled through ships and gained an identity as one of the first to conquer territories.

But I never expected that once in my life, I could live where they came from and this called for some adjustments to the culture and the life of the Swedes.

Just within a month’s time, I have learned to live the Swedish way like dealing with the unpredictable weather in this time of year, eating the kind of cuisine which not any Filipino could easily adjust, using the fast transportation system trough the subway and buses, wearing at least two jackets and other warmers if I’m going outdoors and most of all, appreciating the discipline of the Swedish time.

Like the Swedes, talking about the weather would be the first topic that comes out of my mouth when I get up from sleep everyday. When it’s cold, I’d love to be at home but at part of the program, I should cope with the weather, go out and experience life in Sweden.

The first snow experience was awesome but later; it was more of a hassle on my part, like the native folks also feel. All the more, it would be colder when snow is melting. Just in one day, I get to experience two seasons like winter and sunny weather but as I gaze outside the window, I admire the kids in the preparatory school nearby. Whether it was snowy, rainy or sunny, they are to go out and play. This speaks of how Swedes educate their kids for them to go on with life not thinking about the weather.

Clothing here would be far different in a way that I can’t go out of my foster home not wearing at least two jackets as the temperature may reach the negative at times. It means, I can’t go out without a scarf, a pair hand gloves or perhaps, not wearing a warmer.

On the other hand, food is the lightest feather among the challenges I get to meet in this foreign country. Thanks to my father who taught me to eat salad and sandwiches. Swedish food is simple and nothing much complicated in terms of preparation. In the absence of rice, I learned to love potatoes, bread, couscous and beans.

During my first dinner, I was welcomed by a steamed salmon. It was a sign that I’m in a cold country, the only place where such fishes thrive. Within this time I could point some favorites like Swedish meatballs, beef stew, wok (Swedish version of the Filipino “pancit”) sausages, apple pie, blueberry pie and raspberry pie.

Of course, I learned to love Fika and the Swedish eating schedules. In fact, I wrote about Fika during my previous article weeks ago.

On the other hand, I am amazed by the public transport system which makes the travels very convenient and the places, easy to access. It also shows how organized and time conscious are the Swedes. When the prompter says the bus will arrive at exactly 8:29, it will really arrive on the dot and this is also the same with the train. There are slim possibilities that I’ll be lost in the big city or in any place because there are maps and signs everywhere showing the directions.

Most of all, the most beneficial of all experiences is the Swedish time itself. Getting to the place on the dot, is somewhat hard for me all these years, but here, I need to come on time or else, I’ll be missing the trip on the bus or on the train. Missing the trip would mean, I may forfeit an opportunity and experience which is part of the program.

Discipline can be seen in most Swedes as they really follow time especially when it comes to appointments. This shows that they value time so much and a minute of waste is like a mortal sin.

Living in this land of the Vikings makes me more realize why these people have become so progressive especially in their economy. The big reason behind such development is their attitude towards life. Despite any weather within the day, they still go out to work, school or play. They really don’t mind so much about the factors that surround. After all, as they say, “There’s no bad weather in Sweden but only bad clothes.”

Their food and cuisine also symbolizes their simplicity towards life. Making all things simple and not so complicated would really make life easier, literally.

But most of all, what I appreciate most with the country and its people is on how they value time. Here I can see the Vikings in them, being quite fierce with time. And that’s something worth emulating.

//Klein F. Emperado is one of the exchange students in the exchange programme ”Young in the World Wide Chuch” 2014. During three months he will be spending time in Sweden, sharing life, faith and every day life. Klein is a Mass Communications graduate from Silliman University, Dumaguete, Philippines and also he works as Editorial Assistant for the said university. In the exchange he represents the Philippine Independent Church/Iglesia Filipina Independiente. His line of ministry is focused mainly on Liturgy and Music for the Diocese of Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

// Klein F. Emperado är en av deltagarna i utbytesprogrammet Ung i den världsvida kyrkan 2014. Under tre månader delar han vardag, tro och liv med människor här i Sverige. Under sin första månad spenderar han tid i St Mikaels församling i Stockholms stift. Klein har tagit examen i masskommunikation vid Silliman University, Dumaguete, Filippinerna och han jobbar idag som redaktörsassistent för nämnda universitet. I utbytesprogrammet representerar han den Filippinska oberoende kyrkan (Iglesia Filipina Independiente). Hans stora intresse och inriktning innom kyrkan är främst liturgi och musik för stiftet i Negros Oriental och Siquijor.