Figuring Things Out

My Walking Club

Each day that I figure out some small task, I feel like I've accomplished something great!  Today, I figured out how to get a package in the mail.  Packages are not delivered to your flat in the city, you just get a letter in the mail, telling you that you have a package and where you need to go and pick it up.  Sweden no longer has post offices at all, they have a central sorting location, they have mailmen on bicycles or on foot with carts, and they have little kiosks in many of the grocery stores.  When a package arrives, it is delivered to the grocery store with a post office kiosk closest to you.  Mine was delivered to a grocery store that I was not familiar with but easily found on a map.  It took about 6 minutes to walk there instead of the 2 that it takes to my closest grocery store but obviously still quite manageable.  I went in, showed them my letter, showed my ID and got my package.  Easy as pie!  I have to say that everyone is VERY friendly here.  I never had any problem with people in France but they did always act a little put out when they were doing their job.  Here, they are friendly, smiling, and always offering to help. Very nice!  My package was from a good friend in Batesville who was kind enough to send me Swiffer dusters and Magic Erasers when I discovered that I could not find them here and needed them to make my house cleaning so much easier!  Anne also included some good ole American candy to make the kids happy.  Fantastic!
When Tabitha got home from school, I learned that it was imperative that she order her graduation cap as per the Swedish tradition.  The kids wear these caps off and on throughout the spring of their senior year for various events and they are customized to their liking.  Apparently, Swedish people spend a lot of money on these and keep them throughout their lives to wear to their children and grandchildren's graduations as well!  So, we sat down to customize and order her hat on line.  Wow!  The things you can add and choose!  Crazy.  They can be made of everything from cheap cloth and plastic to cashmere and leather!  You can have things embossed, embroidered, added, etc.  We went with the cheapest version but did add some extras to make it "cute" and we added the Swedish flag as the interior liner.  Spent over a hundred dollars so she will have to wear it often!