Week 47

No, we haven't been here for 47 weeks already, we are actually just over the 8 week mark.  But, Swedes track all dates by it's week in the annual calendar.  Josh and I each have an app on our phones to help us to keep this straight.  We will get communications all the time from school, sports, work, etc, saying that such and such is happening during week 47 or 50 or 33 or whatever.  So, this is week 47, in case you were wondering...

I walk by our bikes, locked outside with many others - just in front of our building, all of the time.  And, I have to admit, I am constantly wondering why we brought them!  Swedes ride bikes often, as a form of transportation, more often than as a means of exercise.  There are very good bike lanes on most of the city streets, and pedestrians and drivers are very aware of the bike traffic around them.  I have seen men in business suits with a child or two in bike seats riding to work.  I have seen women in skirts and heels, riding uphill and holding an umbrella riding to work!  It is pretty darned impressive.  However, I don't see us doing it!  It is scary!!  Busy, city streets, steep hills, unreadable signs, pedestrians coming and going, unfamiliar traffic laws, etc, etc... AND, cold weather!  All of these are reasons enough for me to walk rather than ride and to discourage any kid that asks me if they can ride somewhere.  Maybe, with time, we will work up enough courage and confidence.  Hopefully, our bikes aren't too rusted by then to even go anywhere..

The sun is now setting just after 3 p.m. and it is fully dark by about 3:40.  Not much fun but I truly think that we are adjusting to it.  It already seems not so bad.  These little lamps in the windows (we have three) are everywhere!  They provide light in the house as well as a little bit of light out on the street.  They also provide a little bit of privacy by putting the light in front of what is going on in the room behind the window.  Very interesting.  It also looks pretty to look up at a building from outside and to see so many similar lamps, all lit up as soon as it gets dark.