A lot of people told me about the difference between the Swedish summers and winters but I did not try to listen. Now this was my first summer’s day ever in Sweden (I have only ever travelled in the winter and spring before) and I could not tell the difference.
The days were much like a UK summer, people were out in summer clothes having fun, families were having picnics and all seemed to be as it should be. Yet people were still saying “Be prepared for the Swedish summer”. Nothing seemed out of place at all until that was the following morning.
Looking out of the window I began to wonder how long I had slept in for, the sun was bright the people were out embracing the warmth of this beautiful summers day. Dogs were being walked; the birds were singing and all seemed well with the world. My girlfriend was still asleep so I made my way to the kitchen and poured myself some cold juice. Casually looking up to the clock I took in the time, 7am then went back to my poor translation of the local Swedish paper.
I then looked back at the clock? 7am! What the hell was I doing up at this hour and why was so many people out at this unearthly hour? Were they insane? Anyway as the day went on I forgot all about this and just enjoyed a very peaceful day in Sweden. This morning I awoke and knew I had slept in, the sun was out and that many people were out having fun. I looked at the clock and knew that I would not be caught out by another early morning. Alas I was wrong it was 5AM!
Why is the sun so bright in Sweden at this time? Does it ever get dark in these mornings? People are now saying that daylight begins around 3am in Sweden. So does that mean I will have to sleep with eye masks on in order to have a decent nights sleep, or do Ikea sell black curtains?
All in all I am finding it very hard to sleep on these balmy Swedish summer days so thank god for Swedish strong coffee (Love it!) Yet one question still baffles me. Why do you Swedes roll up two duvets in one bed? Is it so that nobody steals the blankets? At first I thought it was something personal but from conversations with my Swedish friends it appears that this is the norm? Answers to all these questions would be gratefully received!
