Why Is Getting There So Difficult?

For the past year or so I've been looking into the possibility of living and working in Sweden. After writing numerous letters of introduction and inquiries to various and sundry bureaus and potential employers, I am no closer to that dream than before. I refuse to give up this mission...flat out refuse. Certainly other people have packed up and moved there and made a life for themselves so, I've come to believe, that either I am missing something very obvious or I am making this harder than it needs to be! I've even learned a little Swedish in preparation though I know that virtually all Swedes speak English. I am proud to say that now I can ask directions, say excuse me, politely accept the invitation to have something to eat and ask someone back to my place for a drink! There were only ten lessons in the Pimsleur Swedish Language Program I purchased so that's all the further I got! Handy stuff to know if I want to go there and pick up random men for a night cap! haha!

There are so many reasons I want to live in Sweden. First, the history and the culture there is unlike any I have ever seen. It's well preserved, almost revered, in a quiet unassuming way. Stockholm is one of the most exciting and beautiful cities I've ever seen. I feel completely at home there.

I spent about a month in Stockholm last July. It was my second visit. I ate in it's restaurants, traveled it's roads, drank in it's pubs and took a boat tour of the Archipelago. I also spent one week in Gotland, an island off the coast of Sweden. I trekked the island, walking the historic streets of Visby and climbing the amazing rock formations at Faro. But most of all, I spent that month with dear friends feeling very, very loved. Why wouldn't I want that for the rest of my life? Damn it! I will get there. I know I will.

I'll send you all a postcard when I make it!