How low can one go?

Sob sob - no   - kidding, but I have gotten to the lowest point I ever have - 1323 metres underground - putting vampires worldwide to shame.

AUTHORS NOTE: Actually now its been a few days nay more a week but the issue is that my photos of the mine are now in my dead laptop to which I have successfully removed the harddrive so I can try and access it in Canada. Anyway I got a bit annoyed with the whole scenario and a little bitter about the photos so I have not done this update yet. Here goes.

I visited the Renström mine today with Ida's uncle Dick as our tour guide. Ida's father, uncles and grandfather have all worked at this mine.

The Renström mine, which started operations in 1952, is currently Sweden’s deepest mine with a deep ramp at the 1,330 m level. The ore is polymetallic with zinc, copper, lead, gold and silver, and is extracted using the cut-and-fill method. Waste rock from the extensive development work and tailings sand from the concentrator in Boliden is utilised as fill. Renström employs approximately 100 people.

It has to be one of the most surrealist experiences I have ever had.

If you have ever been to an amusement park and been on a water ride then think of this - shut your eyes and breathe in through your nose. Surprisingly this is what the mine smells like - because I is so far underground and here is concrete that holds the sides up and there is obviously dampness from the earth.

Also because it is so deep into the earth as you descend into the mine you can physically feel the pressure of depth envelop you. It's not uncomfortable or painful you just know that you are not in Kansas anymore. It is almost like a calm that creeps up on you. I think that people who have either spent too much time in a noisy world or people who don't mind their own company would be very happy down here.

The people who work down here work in teams of 22 and their shifts start at 05h30 and 15h00. They tend to work alone but at the same time are always on the radio to each other. I think this is a people thing as well as a health and safety thing. They always try to have kaffe and fika together at 10h00 and 14h00.

If I haven't mentioned fika before it is obviously morning and afternoon coffee and the fika is basically an assortment of yummy cakes and bikkies. NOM!!

It's funny because I always thought of myself as a glam gal - but it was SOOOOO nice to hop into overalls and hi viz and be around big equipment again. I've turned down going to parties over here but I've not turned this down. So I've learnt about myself that I quintessentially love big boys toys which actually makes me happy because it means although I was stressed out and tired towards the end of my time at POAL I really did love being there at it really was the place for me.

Here is the safety video clip for the mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn9iCJctqLY

Me and Uncle Dick

I'll have a side of BUGGER with that please

So, we all know how awesome I am with technology. Actually I'm pretty good but stuff just seems to happen to me.

In our latest episode we come across a struggling traveller whose laptop meets with an unfortunate accident. In that a speaker, amongst millions of wires is pulled down onto the screen of her laptop rendering it useless.

The poor weary traveller looks up to the sky and thinks - in the vein of Job but of course not being blasphemous at all - why dear God why?

Luckily the weary traveller has recently received money back from medical expenses in New Zealand and goes forth and buys a mini - less powerful laptop. Which is also in the Swedish alphabet - didn't think of that!

However, pictures of mine adventures, iTunes music and other sundry items are lost. In hope, she takes herself off to the local electronics store, but alas, in vain, they cannot access her computer hard drive.

Realising that in a foreign land she cannot do much she still looks to the light of the Anglo world and will trudge around with laptop until a brave Canuk can rescue her precious items. Failing this the back up plan will be to ship the damn thing home because the traveller knows of a brave knight in the land of Aotearoa who can always fix her troubles.

Disheartened at excess expenditure the weary traveller is reminded by a Swedish fairy princess that she has full travel insurance and may be able to claim...

and thus the story of the weary and disheartened traveller is TO BE CONTINUED....

It's been quiet but nice

OK - the Scandanavians come up with the best stuff. Check out the photo below. This is their version of an ice tray. You pour water into the bag and it seals itself up and then you lay it in the freezer to freeze. When frozen you simply break the plastic and out pops the ice. It's a space saver, easy to use, you buy the bags in containers like the Glad Bags and you can store heaps of them at once. I realise I sound like an infomercial but seriously this stuff is awesome.

Mama Svenska very kindly agreed to cut my hair. I hate getting my hair cut. Usually I have to spend over 3 hours in a salon and I just can't sit still for that long! She learnt to cut hair in her teenage years - her father was the barber of sorts in their tiny village (Ralund - previously mentioned) and when the boys wanted more funkier haircuts - presuming this is in the 60s and they wanted Beatles rather than short back and sides Ulla learnt how to cut hair. 50 years later and I reap the benefits. Free, quick and painless. She didn't even get my ear with the scissors (this was actually a caveat!)

Getting a hair cut - we've figured out that with all the hair dying I've gone back to my actual natural hair colour. 

Now Ida has gone and be a gimp. Actually she thought that she could stop a massive plate glass window from dropping. With her hand. Delusions of superman I tell you.

She had previously torn ligaments in her hand - so now she is in a cast for a week to try and fix it. She has to wear gloves to do things. Hee hee

The future makings of the worst prostate check ever

Years ago one of our dogs had an operation and we had to put a plastic bag around its leg. We have to do the same thing for Ida before she goes into the shower. Giggles.

Langstroms should not be allowed near equipment ( her father saw planed his fingers/thumb off at his work)

Check out my new Dickensian gloves knitted with love for me by Mama Svenska. Loving them - can't wait for it to get colder so I can use them!

For all of you who have had to work with me, or live with me and heard me complain about this. I finally got my damn glasses fixed so they no longer go sliding down my or off my face so that I need to keep pushing them up like Point Dexter.

This afternoon to a gold mine - 1 km underground. I am really hoping at this point that I'm not claustrophobic although I remember my father taking me caving when I was younger so I'm thinking not. I also intend of thieving any rock I think has gold it in.

Not that I will be able to do anything with it - but I just feel the need to. Maybe I have a little LOTR in me after all - my precious!

The Swedes play Chicken (aka lessons one can take away thus far in Sweden)

Almost half way into my stay in Sweden I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the top ten things I have learnt thus far (and do they translate into everyday life):

- in no particular order -

1. Swedes play chicken. As in - if you are on the footpath, or in the supermarket or anywhere (apart from the road) and you see someone coming towards you - don't move out of the way. AT ALL. Seriously, when I first got here I was dodging people left, right and centre and then I realised that the buggers were never moving for me. I was summarily enlightened on the Swedes aversion to giving way to anyone. I mean, that would be polite - which apparently the Swedes are not, on the whole, renowned for. I don't mean in a Japanese there are millions of us squished into one tiny area so this is how we roll. This is - "I can see you 100 metres away and technically (as there are four of us spreading out on the footpath) we should move for you but bugger you kind of not moving".

Lesson: Always stand your ground, you may bump into the other person but they'll be almost expecting it - nay- respect you for it.

2. You are not invincible  In NZ because we have an easier liquor law we tend to think that 2 glasses is by no means a blood/alcohol level that could possibly impair you. She'll be right mate I've only had a couple.

However, try having 2 glasses of vino, hopping on a bike and you will realise just how much alcohol actually affects you.

Lesson: You are most definitely boozed after 2 glasses no matter what the voices in your head are saying. And you may not always have a dandelion bush to soften your fall (refer to previous blog post).

3. Pee before you leave the house: There is only one toilet in Skellefteå township which is public and appropriate for use i.e. you know that dodgy toilet that you HAVE to use on SH1 and you think needs cleaning up. That is heaven compared to public toilet here.

Lesson: Learn your environment BEFORE you get stuck in an uncomfortable situation.

4. Sometimes a phallic statue is just that: OK, just admit it - sometimes you look at artwork and thing - gosh that looks like a .... or a .... Well my first time in Skelleftea township I look over at this statue and I'm like that looks like a penis. Then Ida said to me " this is a statue that represents a phallus". I was like, you're shitting me. Then she said, no , but for goodness sakes don't say it looks like a penis. I was like, hang on - you're telling me it's meant to represent a phallus but not a penis - which is essentially , given the correct moment in time, the same thing. Yes was the answer. Ok says I.

Lesson: Sometimes giving something a fancy name does not detract away from the fact that the town you live in , quite on purpose, has a statue representing a penis. A rose by any other name...

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus just in case you're interested.

It is not unusual to see people posing this phallic statue

5. Extra heaters in cars are not a rangi way of fixing the heat: coming from NZ and the great culture of "she'll be right just use a bit of duct tape" I hop into some Swedish cars in the front passenger seat, look down and see a plug socket. With a heater attached. I just think - ah well fair enough easier than buying a new car.

Apparently it's not just a rangi way of fixing the heat in a car. In winter it gets so damn cold sometimes you need EXTRA car heaters in the north. Why not put them in properly you ask? Well... because not all cars made are directly for the North of Sweden. They also have to plug their cars into little car heater things during winter as well.

Lesson: Don't automatically assume the reason for something  - you may not have the full frame of reference.

6. NZ really needs to up the ante on our download speeds It is ridiculous how quickly it takes for things to download here not only that but it is far cheaper here than in NZ.

Lesson: no lesson but I am glad I'm going to have another year at least of fast download speeds in Canada!

7. Do I really giving a flying...? Away from Auckland and separated from pretty much everything I know its been easier to decide whether I give a crap about something or not. In the end I have learnt thus far not to sweat the small stuff... and its all small stuff. I've also learnt a thing or two about how I let people treat me and my expectations of those around me. I said to Ida about a situation the other day , "let's be honest do you really want to hear about (*insert particular drama) from this person? Ask yourself - do you honestly giving a flying ....?" It sounds so simple yet so often I have found myself worrying about things and people that if I boiled it down, I really don't care that much about - this then takes time away from the things and people I DO care about.

Lesson: Cut the dead weight, pay attention to the things and people you really care about. The rest is just noise to be blanked out.

8. Every nation has their "Marmite". I.e. the food everyone else not born of the country hates. Most of us Kiwis love our Marmite. I was trying to explain the comforting goodness I experience when I have a Milo and some Vogels toast with butter and Marmite. I had a fake Marmite here Our Mate - it smelt the same but the rest was just a big disappointment. However - managed to get some people to smell it. They said it was the most disgusting thing they had ever smelt. And this is from the people that love sour,smelly fish - (Surströmming) which to be fair I managed to avoid having the last time it was being eaten.

Surströmming

This makes me so homesick I feel like licking the computer screen

Lesson: Never diss something that someone loves just because you don't like it - there will be something you love that they cannot understand and this is true for everyone just get on board, try it once and keep your mouth shut.

9. Sweden doesn't believe in post shops: At all - I've got stuff to send home and do you think for the life of me that I can find any sort of packaging/ system/shop. I have trekked EVERYWHERE -  I have one more hope left so we shall see how that pans out. So anyone who knows they're getting a little package I'm sorry - its coming unless Willy Wonka makes good on his promise to be able ship things physically by TV.

Lesson: Just because a country is left leaning and has post boxes doesn't mean they have an actual post office you can go to.



10. You are never too old to climb statues. One of our forays into town and the only night club we met a local singing pop star. As we all cycled away from town I spotted a statue. I yelled out "OOO statue photo" Maturity is key here. Bless his heart Funky Dan as he is known promptly follows me to the statue and poses in front of it. Looking around , he wonders, where has the Kiwi gone. Meanwhile in front taking the photo the Swede Ida is in stitches as she notes the Kiwi not posing in front of , but rather climbing up onto, the statue. Funky Dan promptly followed suite.

Lesson: There are two lessons to be learnt here. One - the ancient art of statue climbing is definitely Kiwi/Australian past time not quite jumped onto by the rest of the world ..... yet.... and Two -  no matter how hard you try , sometimes , you just have grab the moment, be immature, and have a good giggle.

Me and Funky Dan

VERY honourable mentions

I just have to do a shout out to my dear friends who I love and have just gotten engaged. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm the most cynical romantic out there.

But

Vanh and EJ

and

Jesse and Sarah

you are two fantastic couples who restore my cynical faith.

I can't express how happy I am for you all and I actually like all of you not just half of you haha

xxxxx

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Briefly speaking....

Okey dokey - the week or so in brief:

So I went up to the biggest "happening" in Norrland. It's an expo that has everything from household products to craft items.

Bought a little something something for my parents and myself some awesome earrings and a ring both of which are handcrafted by a local artist out of vintage spoons!

Next was dinner at Emil and Maria's house - smoked fish - literally smoked just 1/2 hour before it got to the table in this very handy and manly smoking device!!

I also got to try beaver meat. Disturbingly I posted this on facebook and actually received a recipe for it back from one of my mates. Takes all sorts!

Oh and at some point I learnt a very valuable lesson about wine and dandelion bushs. Drink wine, don't be as coordinated - end up in a dandelion bush.

On Saturday just gone Ida and I organised a BBQ for some friends and it was heaps of fun - even in Sweden the men are around the meat while the women are inside!

After eating we played a traditional Swedish game of coordination called Kubb. I actually managed to hit something so I was quite impressed. Basically you try and knock out your opponents 5 wooden pieces. Once you hit one from the other side you get to throw it in the middle then you have to try and hit it again. Once you get all their pieces you have to go for the King piece in the middle.

There were two Kiwis playing that day - guy in purple top is Ida's cousins hubbie Matt from  the Mount

Julle goes in for the throw

New friends! Arun and I

It's actually quite fun! I have learnt the Swedes do love their games after they eat but I believe this is a good thing - particularly for the digestion.

Snus makes your lips go funny ( I don't have any in just mocking Julle)

Jo'berg and Ida

Awww. All tuckered out

I also learnt that it is not wise to try and move too quickly on slippery floors while running away from Swedes - ouch!

I bruise and I am slightly unco - it makes for an interesting mixture

I have been helping out around the house and making dinner. I must say though that after walking around the hoooge ICA supermarket in Solbacken it was nice to then realise that they don't sell udon noodles at all here. Or the hokkien ones that are sealed up. I suggested I import a few Asians from Howick to boost their lagging Asian dining experiences here. I really miss the easy access to places like Tai Ping, etc. I have however found vermicilli noodles and shall be trying to make my first ever (because I always get Maman to make it hers is the best!) Island chop suey. I am going to make Ida try it before anyone else a/ because I'm less scared of poisoning her and b/ because she's tasted Maman's chop suey and so will be able to tell me whether or not I get near the mark.

Yesterday was Ida's sister's 5 year anniversary of her passing. We went to Anne's grave and it is in the most peaceful beautiful setting. It was perfect weather yesterday and it was comforting to the soul to sit for a moment and take stock on life.

Today we are off to the oldest area in these parts so will update on that.

Oh - this is also an old shot but this is where I am staying!

FINALLY a big shout out to my mate Ian Hui who Remote Assisted me from NZ and helped me sort out my PC issues - you rock Hui!!

Something I did on Facebook while bored

This will amuse my Aunties, make my mother go hmmmm and my father worry. To be fair my mother is going to retire at 100 - just after she buys that one last coat that she needs (in addition to the 50 in her closet). I swear Narnia is through her wardrobe.