(Written a year and a half ago, never posted, newly updated. Happy 2 year Anniversary!)
Everyone has a different form of love, success, opportunity, or happiness that they don’t even realize they need or want. Something that completes you. Sometimes that “something” is a “someone,” or even a “somewhere.” Mine turned out to be both, my “Something Swedish” you can say.
Five years ago I met my “someone,” in a somewhat strange way, having only spoken through Skype and video games, proving that the world is truly a small place. It was the first time he stepped foot in a plane when he traveled 3,800 miles across the Atlantic ocean to meet me in New York City, a long way away from Sweden.
I was expecting to meet “someone,” unaware he’d introduce me to two “somewheres” – one of which was in my backyard my whole life, unexplored. The other, on the other side of the world.
I learned that you don’t need to go far to experience something, or someplace. Being a tour guide in my own city opened my eyes to where I live. Known as ‘The Big Apple,’ New York City has something for everyone (who knew?) When growing up in New York it’s easy to overlook all of the sites, attractions, culture, and history around you and at your fingertips, not recognizing why millions of tourists flock to the annoyingly crowded area of Times Square every year. You don’t understand why people want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge when you can simply take the train. We hatched an “attack” plan of how to see/do as much as possible in just one week. I learned that there are three kinds of tourists: the sight seers, the shoppers, and the museums goers.
It turns out my Swedish guest was very excited to see the museums. I had a “museum goer” on my hands and a museum goer I was not. (Since then we’ve become more of sight seers and shoppers, but still enjoy a good museum from time to time) First I brought him to a childhood classic; The Museum of Natural History, a staple for N.Y.C. school kids to learn about science, history, animals, and geology through impressively gigantic exhibits – the most memorable being the model 94-foot blue whale dangling from the ceiling and being greeted by the fossilized T-Rex in the lobby.
A tourist in my own backyard, I wondered how I’ve lived in New York City my whole life and never even seen the famous white curves of The Guggenheim.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) greeted us with contemporary exhibitions of photography, film, architecture, typography, and design. The Cloisters showcased a collection of European sculptures, tapestries, paintings, statues, gardens, stained glass, and architecture from the 12th -15th centuries.
We were drawn to the bright lights of Times Square where we instantly regretted not preparing and buying Broadway tickets ahead of time, knowing it is a New York experience that will be cherished for a lifetime. We instead went to an off Broadway rendition of Shakespeare’s Twelve Night, leaving us thirsty for more. (Making sure never to make that mistake again, seeing something every visit: Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Sleep No More) Instead we soaked in our surroundings: the huge stores and flashing lights, and the overwhelming amount of people walking, selling, yelling, performing, and painting on the streets.
Seeing Manhattan together let me see it for the first time, I learned my way around my own city. We taught each other how to navigate the named streets and the subway system. I took him downtown, away from the large crowds into the comfort of Little Italy and China Town where we ate cannolis and Chinese food. We took a tour boat around Manhattan, passing by the iconic Statue of Liberty.
I showed him the massive buildings in the financial district, whose archways were built for giants, we rubbed the famous balls of the charging bull, explored the oldest church, solemnly soaked in the wreck of the ground zero work site, and then walked through an illumination of blue lights sparkling against the water along the southern tip of Manhattan at Battery Park.
We reached new heights in New York. We might not have climbed to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, but we did see the famous view from the iconic Empire State building (and the next year finding the even more breathtaking view from Rockefeller Center). A horse and carriage ride through Central Park was the perfect end of the evening.
We even escaped the grasp of Manhattan. Something that most tourists don’t get to do, know to do, or care to do. He taught me how to see Manhattan and I taught him that there was more to New York City than the “city”. We walked across the Brooklyn bridge, bringing us to where the most beautiful Manhattan skyline photos are taken.
I took him off the beaten tourist path and showed him my version of NYC. We went to the Queens botanical garden and Flushing Meadow Park, were the worlds fair was held in 1939 and 1964. We went to Coney Island, known for its amusement parks (with the oldest wooden roller coaster in the U.S., the Cyclone, and the iconic Wonder Wheel),
walked along the famous boardwalk, and enjoyed the food vendors, aquarium, beach, and minor league baseball. We ate traditional Coney Island food: Nathan’s hot dogs, sausage and peppers, and Italian ices followed up by his first American baseball game. (Which has since become a tradition)
Five months later it was my turn to travel to his world, to be the real tourist instead of the clueless tour guide. Traveling the world never even crossed my mind. Sure, I always wanted to trace back the history of my heritage in Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, and Italy, but it seemed like nothing more than a childhood dream – “something” other people do. I never thought there would be a “somewhere” other than New York City.
I took the same 10 hour flight and finally landed in Sweden to experience my first time in another country. I didn’t know much about many other countries, let alone Sweden, where as he knew a lot about New York from school, movies, and television. I didn’t know what to expect or how to act. To my relief most Swedes speak English extremely well.
My first impression was of how beautiful everything around me was. Flying into Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden, felt very comfortable and pleasant. It was a mix of both fast and slow pace, just the right amount of hustle and bustle. When I saw the trolleys chugging along the cobblestone streets I knew I wasn’t in New York anymore. Everything was picturesque – the carefully crafted architecture of each beautiful and impressive building, the churches, the stained glass, the abundance of fountains and statues.
It felt empowering to be amongst a place so rich in culture, tradition, and history. I fell in love. Not only with him, not only with Sweden, but with traveling and soaking in another country and its culture – with him. It was my “something” – both Someone and Somewhere. I enjoyed Sweden without feeling the need to have a packed site-seeing schedule. In that way, my trip to Sweden was different than his trip to NYC. Just being there was enough. I didn’t know whether to soak it all in and enjoy the moment or take a lot of photos to make the moments last forever.
We casually strolled the streets, shopped in the stores, and ate Swedish food. When people ask what I did in Sweden I replied “nothing.” Everyone wanted to know about the sites, the museums, what I did and saw, and were disappointed by my lack of being a tourist. They wanted to vicariously travel through me but I didn’t feel the need to rush and experience every historical or cultural crevasse of Sweden. Maybe I sensed that I was the fourth type of tourist; not a sight seer, shopper, or museum goer- but a “stayer.” I was the kind of tourist that wasn’t in a rush because I knew I would be back and would have all the time in the world.
Since then I have enjoyed a Swedish Midsummer meal highlighted by pickled herring, new potatoes, and fresh strawberries. Then I experienced the festivities as people dance around a maypole to special songs about frogs and summer while wearing traditional clothing and a crown of flowers on their head. I’ve endured through the harsh winters when there’s only 6 hours of daylight, as well as basked in delight during the 18 hour days of summer.
Together we have conquered the tallest wooden roller coaster in Sweden as well as visited the museum with the most Scandinavian art. I’ve adapted to stores being closed on Sundays and buying Swedish groceries. I’ve learned to eat thin Swedish pizza with a knife and fork. I have grown accustomed to taking my shoes off at the doorway of every home and have gotten used to open faced sandwiches for breakfast. I’ve seen little kids wearing witches hats to celebrate Easter and have eaten the Swedish specialty of Lutefisk for Christmas dinner. I saw that the stereotype that every Swede is a blonde bombshell with blue eyes is not true, it is actually a diverse country.
We’ve been aboard the world’s largest operational wooden sailing vessel, a replica which originally sank in the 18th century. We learned all about the history of Älvsborg, a fortress castle built to protect Göteborg in the 17th century, then pretended to get shot out of one if its many cannons.
I now know my way around a town in Sweden, where as six years ago I hardly knew the country existed. I have favorite places to eat and favorite Swedish foods. I’m learning the Swedish language, going to Swedish school, making Swedish friends, and working at Swedish places.
I have seen the red and white houses sprinkled through out the beautiful country side, such as is classically depicted in any story about Sweden. I’ve celebrated “Fat Tuesday” by eating a decadent creamy pastry with almond paste called “Semla.” We live in a town filled with rich history such as viking naval battles, valiant struggles between Sweden and Denmark, and a fire that destroyed almost everything. I’ve heard the cheerful drinking songs that Swedes sing before taking the first sip of liquor, and I love to say “Skål” in Sweden instead of “Cheers” while drinking snaps at every holiday dinner.
I loved Sweden the first time I stepped foot there even though I didn’t do anything touristy or exciting. I couldn’t explain that it was the day-to-day life that I enjoyed. Maybe it’s because I was meant to get married in Sweden on a sunny day that lasted 18 hours with perfectly “lagom” weather. It’s because I was meant to move here, meet new people, gain the courage to socialize, and adapt.
Since his first visit in New York, my “someone” and I traveled back and forth between our two “somewheres” twice a year for three years, experiencing something new each time. We have explored and experienced each place together. Not only do I now feel more comfortable in Sweden, but NYC is now a home away from home for him. We can compare our experiences and each country more and more each time we travel back and forth. Each time is like a vacation and visiting home all wrapped in one.
It doesn’t matter if you are looking to see the world, given a job opportunity far from home, if you want to help the less fortunate, fulfill a bucket list, or maybe you are following love. Everyone needs to find their “someone,” “something” and/or “someplace” which sometimes means taking a leap of faith.
Nurit says
July 12, 2013 at 9:18 amBeautiful and inspiring post! I so agree with you about the need to take a leap of faith. Four years ago I left my home country and followed a job offer to Switzerland, with everyone around me doubting that it’s the right thing to go alone. There I met a wonderful Swedish guy… and the rest is history (which has to do with personnummers, SFI classes, fikas, a ring, and in 2014 – a midsummer wedding). I couldn’t be happier I took the leap.
megalagom says
August 21, 2013 at 4:38 pmWow, you really never know where life will take you! From one leap of faith stright into the next – you are a brave one! I hope to hear more about your upcoming midsommar wedding! Maybe you can post some of your own insight on my Swedish Weddings blog post! Lovely summary of your story! Thanks!
Jenny Adams says
July 12, 2013 at 9:21 amLovely.
Debbie says
July 12, 2013 at 9:24 amBeautifully written, congratulations!
I was in Halmstad a few weeks ago. We stayed there for 4 nights before spending midsommar with friends in Göteborg. Got to know the hospital as well, as my boyfriend sprained his ankle on day 2 of our stay. Friendly people all around! 🙂
megalagom says
August 21, 2013 at 4:35 pmThank you, Debbie! Oh no! The hospital here is nice, but certainly not a tourist attraction! I hope you got to enjoy some other things as well. Was this your first midsommar?
americantaitai says
July 13, 2013 at 2:48 amLove this! Thank you for sharing your amazing story! Here’s to long distance romances that become the real deal. And thanks for the reminder to take a minute to really look and see as we’re busy living everyday life.
megalagom says
August 21, 2013 at 4:31 pmCheers to that!
Susan says
July 14, 2013 at 10:48 pmWhat a beautiful, reflective post, Meg! You have developed a wonderful writer’s voice since beginning your blog, and grown into a confident young woman since beginning your travels. God bless!
megalagom says
August 21, 2013 at 4:30 pmAw, you’re making me blush! Thanks 🙂
Aunty Ree says
July 16, 2013 at 2:32 pmMeg, you must have saved the best for last before your trip to the U.S. — I really enjoyed this piece tremendously and thought the photos were incredible, especially the nightime shot of New York from above in this article!! I look forward to seeing you very soon, and getting to hug you . . . your Aunty Ree
Rens says
July 17, 2013 at 4:37 pmLovely post!
Been reading your blog ever since I met my Swedish love, I even met her in the same way you did, through a quite familiar video game 😉
It’s been quite eye-opening and interesting to read about all your experiences, and I’l be sure to put them to good use myself when I make the move in about 6 months! Keep up the great and informative writing!
megalagom says
August 21, 2013 at 4:29 pmHow wonderful! The world of finding love through video games is a growing one, seems more and more people can relate to my story over the years. I love that the love is helping you prepare for your future move! Where in Sweden? If you have any questions or topics that you think would be useful, feel free to comment or private message me through the something Swedish facebook page! Lycka till! (Good luck!)
csjoman says
August 6, 2013 at 1:04 pmIt is amazing to me, the similar stories I have found to mine, since first meeting my Swede in person 4 years ago (after 4 years of talking online). We have known each other for twice that time, and also met because of a video game. He moved to the US to be with me, because my grandfather who was like a second dad to me, was dying of cancer, and I was not ready to move away from my family at only 20 years old.
For 2 years after our first in person meeting we did the long distance thing, traveling once a year each to see the other for a couple of weeks.The last year we did not see each other at all, waiting for Us immigration to approve him to move to the US.
I love your story. It’s awesome to see other people in similar situations living happily.
When I finish school and my little sister is in college, we will move to Sweden, to Borlänge most likely. 🙂
We are here currently visiting his parents.
I love the US, but my I know that feeling that your heart knows your home is Sweden.
megalagom says
August 20, 2013 at 11:13 pmI loved hearing your story! Love really can move mountains, or at least uproot people from one place to another to be with each other. You will love living in Sweden, it’s really a lovely place to grow with someone. It’s also really nice to have the experience of living in both countries together – it will give you a lot of perspective! Congrats and Good luck!
katinaki says
August 22, 2013 at 11:58 pmYour love story sounds so romantic. I love your blog. I am moving in Sweden this week to follow my love (not a Swedish he just studies and works there) and it feels so strange… Happy strange but strange !
craftgirlsworld says
January 29, 2014 at 7:53 pmHi! Im also in like the same situation as you were. I just woundered if maybe you have some information on how to get your love to sweden? Maybe we can talk somewhere else ? Thanks for your story, it is my dream.