Kalmar Castle and Glass Blowing

Hello All, Sven Here!

Events of the Week:

So this past week was not too busy with only 3 hours of class each day.  Beyond that, we just had to write an essay by the end of the week.  We had guest lectures from Dr. Mark Everard from the UK and Sophie Dunkerley, a former graduate of the program who is currently working for the European Union addressing environmental policy.

But the highlight of the week was the anticipation of some guests from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Marshalls!  Spud’s parents arrived Thursday evening after visiting London for a few days and embraced us with their presence until Monday morning.  On Saturday we went out to an area called Kalmar, which has a very old castles.  Although not very elaborate, the castle was a strategic war position post.  There were many chambers for prisoners and dungeons that still had prisoners’ punishment devices, beds, and sketches on the walls from the 1500s.  After exploring the castle, complete with a taxidermy horse, Anita, a work horse at the castle, and interrupting a Christening, we proceeded a “city of glass.”

We were fortunate enough to arrive at Kosta Boda at a time when many workers were performing their art of glass blowing.  It is a very interesting activity to watch because each step along the way adds another dimension to the creation of some very artistic and creative glass creations.  We were not able to try it ourselves, though I’ve heard if you go before October, you may be able to.

Finally Sunday night we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving!  It is very similar to American Thanksgiving as far as food goes.  We had turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, bread, stuffing, beets, vegetables, and apple pie for dessert!  It was fantastic, and a great excuse to celebrate two thanksgivings while we’re here!

Swedish Fun Fact: 

Many women in Swedish times were punished just as harshly as men.  “Strong” women were forced to carry very heavy stones around their neck.  If you got into a fight with another girl, you were locked together with that person with a plank of wood.  Other punishments included whipping, the “float or drown” test for witchcraft, buried alive for adultery, and tying the woman’s hair to the ceiling by a spinning wheel to force her to work.

Swedish Dish: 

This week we had the opportunity to try Swedish Fondue.  You pick your sauces (we tried red wine, garlic, a seafood sauce, and a vegetable sauce) and they bring out a large pot of the sauce and keep it over a flame.  They also bring out unlimited supplied of raw fish, beef, chicken, vegetables, etc.  You just create your meal on a stick and put it in the pot to cook.  You’re in charge of your own, so keep track of where all your skewers are at all times and how long they’ve been in, or you’ll end up with leather.