Scandinavian Dreams
Before I traveled through Scandinavia I had an idea it would be covered in impassable mountains, inhabited by a people who were completely incomprehensible, born entirely of blonde hair and seven feet tall; while the third point may be partly true, nothing else could be further from reality. Scandinavia is a beautiful country rich in diverse architecture and warm welcomes at every corner. The Dutch may hold the record for most versed country in languages but Scandinavia can’t be far behind. Almost everyone I spoke to in Stockholm spoke perfect English; regionless and clear, it astounded me not only how well they spoke English, but how content they were to speak it—too often before, in other countries, I’d felt that my accidental ignorance was something I should be punished for, as if by turning up in a foreign country without spending years learning the language I’d committed some cardinal sin.
The worst thing about arriving in Sweden is the sudden and horrendous shock of how much everything costs; after you’ve got used to spending five times as much on fast-food—and a total lack of drink culture anywhere, which comes as a strange kind of shock, especially if yóu’ve spent time in England—everything’s fine; Norway is equally expensive, and equally gorgeous. Long straight roads connect the land, making traveling a joyous experience where reading a map is actually a fun thing to do.
Basically it is amazing, I am actually looking at applying for a Secondary education job there I liked it so much!