Sweden doesn’t have the American thanksgiving celebration nor the late November reason to hold off on putting up Christmas decorations. And with other obligations coming up, this was the weekend for a friends’ gathering. Friends here, with an American wife and Swedish husband, have started a tradition of having a party with some friends to put up Christmas lights. There are some modest Christmas lights around Sweden, where the culture does not really encourage sticking out. But these two are lighting up their neighborhood.
An easy-going group somehow made organized chaos into not only a fun time but a beautifully lit night. I was dressed warmly enough, and there was no rain!
I met people who used to live in Bellevue. We chatted while we put up icicle lights on the garage and garland lights on the porch railings. Cool connections!
Then there was an amazing fika!
Later there was dinner and watching the slide show of the lights.
There were great conversations, especially with a German woman who teaches engineering at the university. We both are advocates of active and collaborative pedagogy. Her family has been here for 2.5 years, so she gave me some insights as to how Swedish organizations work from an outsider’s point of view. We also discussed life journeys and how we ended up in Uppsala.
I didn’t know it would be over 6 hours of fun and food, but it was good for the soul. I was the first to leave, as I still need to get some things done. I apologized, because in Sweden, often the first one to leave is a sign that the others are supposed to go to. But the American influence and the hospitality of the hosts dismisses some of the traditions.
Now, time for more preparation for Monday morning.
With blessings,
Beth
We rejoice with you in the occasion. Just sounds like needed ‘fun medicine’ which we all need during these days!