Goteborg Part Fyra

Monday 4/20/15

Many of us took the morning easy, recovering from our field trip. In the afternoon and evening we planned a birthday scavenger hunt for Becca (turned 20), Hannah (turned 20), Amelia (turned 21), and Signe (turned 16). They all had birthdays within a week of each other. We paired Amelia and Becca against Signe and Hannah. They were given a list of things to take pictures of in the park near our hostel. One item was find Laura who had a special gift for them all. Amelia received wine, Signe-a bird sketch pad, Hannah-a tea cup and Becca-a pug with a crown we found at the royal armory in Stockholm.  It ended with sushi for dinner. Here are some pictures from Signe and Hannah….

#3 Jump on the little trampolines

#8 Take a selfie with a Swede 

#2 A bunny or something with a bunny on it

#5 fungi or fun guy

#9 imitate a sculpture 

#11 Where's Wally? Find Wally (Sidney) in the park and get bonus points for tackling her. Signe distracted Wally by chasing her allowing Hannah to sneak attack her a tackle her down. 

Tuesday 4/21/15

Maria, my professor's wife, met an old lady named Gunnel at a church in Kullavik where they lived while in Sweden for a year on sabbatical. Gunnel's granddaughter is Julia Fors, a health expert who has written two books, the most recent being Superlicious. Julia invited us into her home for a little health workshop.

First we went on a little run on the shore and then back to her house for a cooking lesson. She explained that there is a major health craze in Sweden right now. This same craze is happening in the US and actually started in the States a decade or so ago. Julia explained that fitness is 30% exercise and 70% food. She suggested little solutions such as eaten lemon to balance lots of coffee.

Julia showed us how to make healthy juice and smoothies. Hannah and I tried juicing 2 appeals, lemon and pear. Then blended it with berries, half an avocado and spinach. You can also do 2 apples and a lemon for lemonade. Before Hannah and I went up to attempt a smoothie, we were laughing about what a mess we are in general. So of course we forgot to put the pitcher under the juicer and spilled liquid apple all over the counter…of Julia's white house. Luckily Hannah caught most of it with her hands and I grabbed a rag but Julia didn't find it as humorous as we did.

Laura eating a health warp. Julia's book in the foreground. 

Julia demonstrating who to a make a smoothie.

Paget making her smoothie.

Me licking my fingers after eating a delicious healthy desert Julia made. 

Hannah and I with our creation!

artsy photo of my smoothie and healthy chocolate ball

Erin with the plate of chocolate balls.

Recipe: mix in food processor…4 scoops dry coconut flakes, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 3 tablespoons agave or honey, 2 teaspoons vanilla powder, pinch of salt, 6 dates, hazelnuts, coconut oil (instead of butter).

Paget enjoying her smoothie in the sun 

Fika by the sea near Julia's house. 

Wednesday 4/22/15

This morning was dedicated to environmental work at the two universities in Gothenburg. First we met with students who are part of Students for Sustainability Alliance from Chalmers University and the University of Gothenburg. They work on projects to promote a healthier world such as divesting from fossil fuels. We attended their Re:Cycle event which gave out 230 rescued bicycles to students. They also helped them fix the bikes up.

After that we met with masters students at the Challenge Lab. It is a place for Masters students from all over to create solutions for sustainability as part of their thesis. This year they have students from India, Spain, Mexico, Iran, Thailand, Columbia, Sweden and Lithuania. One stated "Diversity is the power here" both in reference to the people and the projects. One project is the living lab where students will live and research who to live sustainably.

The bikes 

Repair stations

A trick biker at the ReCycle event

The eco friendly building that holds the Challenge Lab. 

Thursday 4/23/15

On Thursday we trekked out to Kullavik, a small town near Gothenburg. This is where The Jeremiasons lived during their year in Sweden six or so years ago. Through much work, because Swedes are shy, Maria made some friends at the local Church of Sweden. This is how we got connected with Gunnel and Julia Fors. Maria also became good fiends with Magdalena, who works with the youth and music. Magdalena gave us a tour of the church and then the priest explained a little about the history of the church in Sweden. The Lutheran Church of Sweden was officially separated from the state in 2000 and now a wider range of denominations and religions are found in Sweden. However, churches now have less funding and must adjust to a more meager lifestyle. Churches in the US are used to relying on volunteers and donations. This is the future of churches in Sweden.

We also discussed the current Roma population that has begun to beg in Sweden and all over Europe. Many are organized and go out from Romania to collect stronger currencies through begging and then return home to exchange it. Some however do need assistance and it is hard to tell the difference. Sweden has such a strong welfare system that they have never really had to deal with a destitute population and consequential aid. It is something that is developing and churches are helping with food and clothing, as is common in America. Some feel that the United Nations should talk to the Romanian government about providing a better life for their people and not marginalizing them, forcing them to find refuge or income in the rest of Europe.

There is a carved cross in the chapel that was made by a woman who, born in 1923, wanted to be a nurse but her hand was crippled from polio. She began to carve and preached with what she made. The cross shows Jesus rising rather than being crucified. Also this woman took care of her mother who was stricken with Alzheimers. At night she would tie their toes together so that she would know if her mother moved at night. When she went to the grocery store she would leave her mother in the car and people would let her out not knowing the story. So this woman would put signs on her car asking people to not let her mother out. Eventually this woman realized she needed help so she hired bums down on their luck to help for room and board. Many felt that for once they received love.

There were also ships decorating the church since it was close to the water. Traditionally when fishermen were saved from storms at sea they donated models of their ships to the churches. This tradition is remembered through these decorations.

Hannah and Laura in The Attic, a lounge where the youths in the church can hang out and do homework. 

Magdalena sang Amazing Grace in Swedish for us.

They fed us delicious fish soup while we chatted with the pensioners who gather every Thursday for lunch. 

They made me a yummy lactose free desert, topped with a Swedish flag.

Anna and Amelia presented our group to the pensioners in Swedish. We all introduced ourselves and I managed to do it in Swedish too! The old folks enjoyed learning about our trip and our studies in Sweden. They asked us to tell a funny experiences so we explained how hard the doors were to open in Sweden.

We finished the day with cliff jumping by Gunnel's house! It was about a 15 foot fall. Many of us got cut up climbing up the rocks. There was a ladder but Pat didn't realize it was not attached so it slid down into the water when he tried to climb up it…oops. 

Friday 4/24/15

Today was spent at the Emergency Room in Gothenburg…all day. I mentioned earlier that Jorgen, my professor's son, broke his wrist on our field trip. He needed a check up. On the island Britta rolled her ankle so everyone felt she needed it to be looked at also. The last few days my left foot has been hurting when I put pressure on the ball of my foot. It makes for a bad limp, which looks worse than it is. My professor insisted I go to the doctor too. I really aggravated it cliff jumping so I acquiesced.

We left the hostel at 9:30AM and didn't return until after 4:30pm. Thats seven hours….Luckily Britta nor I left with crutches. She slightly tore ligaments and merely needed to rest it. My pain is due to overuse and if I don't rest it might lead to a stress fracture. The easy access to health care in Sweden is so nice but the long lines are a major downside as we experienced today. It was sad to waste the sunny day in a waiting room but what can ya do. Now I can check off visiting a hospital in a foreign country off my list. I'm bummed however that I won't be able to run an upcoming 5K or practice rugby in the near future.

Me in one of the many waiting rooms I got comfortable in.