Reaching Out to the Second Party June 16, 2009

This is aweful to say, but there’s so much to dslike about America. I keep hearing and reading more and more things that strengthens my dislike for that country.

There are two things I like about that country. Obama and that there are so many different cultures and environments. It’s not enough though, I feel like I’m turning into an anti-american bitch… almost in the verge of being rasist. Someone please, tell me something good about America so I don’t turn into a person of hate, because I know everyone isn’t the same and I know my opinions are coloured by the fact that so very many Swedes look at America in disdain. It’s getting a little too one sided for my comfort.

Kisses to all.

London June 9, 2009

I have, without a doubt, had one of the best weekends.

Since Friday, I’ve been in London for the first time. The first day, I was walking around, getting stressed by the rush people were in, worrying about my ignorance, worrying that someone was going to either play me for a fool or steal my wallet. I realized that the two years I’ve spent in the lovely little town of Helsingborg has turned me into quite the small town girl. The next day, the old, big city girl in me started re-emerging and I relaxed, and have since then, been enjoying it to the fullest.

I can see India in London. I can see now where they get the chaos, the strange form of eat or be eaten point of view, the decadence. (We’ve had many conversations about the meaning of that word and I’ve come to the conclusion that the way it’s used is very personal, so it’s up to you how you want to interpretate the former sentence.) I’ve been drinking in all the sounds, the experiences and the people of this place. For all my life I’ve thought that the whole of Europe was just different variations of Scandinavia, and thus never been interested in visiting Europe with the same passion I’ve been interested in travelling around Asia, South America and Africa. Ah, the naiveté.

It’s the strangest city, in the sense that people look great and the fashion is wonderful, but then the buildings lack central heating and the doors are the least functional I have yet experienced. It may be a first world country, because they have the economy for it, but behind the façade, the place is falling apart. Quite surprising.

I don’t mean any of this negatively though; it’s a different culture, which makes me love it. The chaos gives it character and variety. I love variety. 

It was the perfect trip with a little bit of culture, a little bit of drinking, a little bit just hanging with friends, a little it of shopping, a little bit a nice trip to do with a loved one and a lot of good food! I’ve realized how much the Bear and me has grown, together and apart. I’ve realized that despite all my happiness lately, I have to stop wondering how others perceive my behaviour because this weekend I haven’t bothered, and I’ve felt great. 

I’ve returned home to Helsingborg loving the trip and London as a city, at the same time loving the fact that I live in a smaller town like Helsingborg. I’ve returned home re-energized and ready to face my challenges again. 

Couldn’t be better.

Sweet kisses to all.

Dambina Moyo May 14, 2009

I have for a a while been saying that the best way to help 3rd world countries is for the 1st world countries to stay out of it their business. I find it remarkable how high income cultures are so eager to think that they know what the low income cultures need. It is such a blatant form of ethnocentricity even if it is being done with the best intentions.

I was so happy to read a couple of days back about Dambisa Moyo. She’s mostly known as anti-Bono, as she finds it dispicable that an irish artist has taken the role of africs spokesperson, but I like her point of restricting African aid.

The only way for a person to grow and become strong is for that person to get the chance to stand on his or her own feet. That person might not in the end mature into what the parent hoped or wanted from the child, but that person has become his or her own person with strengths and weaknesses of his or her own. This had not been possible with somone constantly enabling the person,  speaking for the person, taking responsibilty for that person.

The same applies for countries. In the case of Bono, what would an irish man know about what Africa needs?

In the end, just like with people, the only country who can help that themselves, is themselves. Give them a chance, and the rest of the world might get surprised.

Sweet kisses to all.

Impressive Me April 25, 2009

I know that every other post i put up seems like a complaint of sorts, but quite honestly, lately, life has been good… and I mean real good. I think it may have something to do with me taking control of the things that make me happy. It sounds so simple writing it here but by doing the things that gave me the same qualitites I appreciated in others instead of just being impressed by others for having them, I no longer feel inadequate and stuck. As tabu as it is to say here in Sweden, I’m impressed by me. That’s a good feeling. 

Sweet kisses to all!

Sick (again) and Tired December 24, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serves me right for being so cocky yesterday… I knew as I went to bed that I was probably about to get a cold but I just refused to believe it (can you blame me?). Waking up this morning I knew I wasn’t feeling well, had some breakfast, cancelled the cab and went back to sleep. Damn it. The thing is, a slight cold is managable in Sweden, here though, with all the strange bacterias, the heat, and the sweating a slight cold can turn me into zombie aweful quick. Feel better now though, and ones the worst of the heat passes (around 3pm) me and the bear are gonna go into town and again attempt to do some shopping in town. Yesterday the supporters of the communist party (the party in power) was having a demonstration (the peaceful kind, which Indians are famous for) so most of the roads were blocked and we pretty much ended up spending the afternoon in the car. All one can do is to go with the flow here and try again another day.

Oh, and I just realized that it was christmas (Swedes celebrate is on the 24th) so merry christmas to everyone, and hopefully I’m well enough tomorrow to celebrate it as planned with some acquaintances. 

Until then, sickly sweet kisses to all!

It’s All Good December 23, 2008

Awesome trees growing in the middle of trivandrum

 

Mukkunni Malla (our home in India)

India is truly the country of paradoxes. For example, we live in a 900 m2 house on top of a hill with a beautiful view, we have internet ,we’re surrounded by forest and a driver that drives us around… but as the bear put it, it reminds of camping. No running water, used toilet paper should be thrown into the garbage can instead of in the toilet, gas stove for cooking and a dirt road that’s near impossible to drive up to give an example. The mosquito tent over the bed is both a reminder of a camp as well as a luxury as it increases the cozy level by about 100.

 

The country itself is a paradox as well. India as a country is one of the richest countries around, yet 90% of the people are living below humane standards. It’s a country full of vibrant colours and beauty yet I have yet to visit a country that is as dirty and smelly as this one. 

But all of this is part of the Indian charm. The fact that I, a middle-class girl in Sweden, can enjoy luxuries like a four star hotel and everything that implies for one day and then the next sit at a very regular corner restaurant and pay 6 kr for an equally enjoyable meal is quite remarkable. 

I read in what I think was the lonely planet book some 4 years ago that India is the type of country you leave feeling either spiritualized or badly in need of a vacation. The extremes of the country ensures it and I love it.  

What am I doing right now? Sitting outside enjoying the shade and the warmth with my mum’s little puppy and my big bear. Soon we’re off to town to do some minor shopping and then eat some good home cooked food at my grandma’s. Perfect.

Tomorrow? Oh, I don’t know, haven’t decided if we’re going for a swim by or in the beach and maybe do some tourist shopping or stay at home and just enjoy the weather. What aweful choices there are to make here. *wink*

Sweet Kisses to all!

Unusual and Charming October 4, 2008

Remember this guy from the flea market I went to last month?

Well, apparantly this proud mans name is Bo Persson and he’s one of our neighbours. As I was about to leave the apartment area to do my good deed of the day (dropping of clothes I don’t wear anymore at the local second-hand store giving aid to Asia and Africa) this cheerful man was on his way in. He was passionate about his “little” music instrument/machine and really wanted me to know that his name was Bo Persson and that he’d love to play this charming music instrument/machine at parties. He’ll do it for free all he asks is a little coffee and cookies. (There just aren’t enough men like these anymore!) Now, all I have to do is figure out an occassion that I’ll be going to/responisible for where a charming man and instrument like this would fit right into the picture! Almost in the mood to try and make an occassion especially for him! Heh. 

Maybe I’m a cynic or maybe it depends on what kind of town/city/village one comes from or maybe it has to do with what age one is, but I have a hard time imagining our generation doing a thing like this without being thought of as a bum or a way to make money. This man, like my father, just truly enjoys to share what he finds enjoyable! Respect. 

Very sweet kisses to all!