summer parties

It's sad to say it, but it is noticeable... the days are getting shorter here in Göteborg. I was told that you can really notice the difference in the length of the days in Scandinavia. Actually, that statement is only half true. I didn't really notice at all when the days were getting longer. Going the other way, however, it's a whole new kettle of fish. When days get shorter, it is very, very noticeable.

And for those readers who have no idea what a whole new kettle of fish is. It's an Australian expression meaning it's a different scenario. Where does it come from? I don't know, and don't care. Just accept and continue.

Now what can I do you for? (another Aussie expression). Oh yes, with the ending of summer, it's time for a couple of parties. First up I organised an "Aussie" party at my apartment. What makes a party Aussie? Buggered if I know. Usually it's just a lot of booze and loud music.

What would you do to make a party seem like an Aussie party to mixed group of Europeans? This is what I came up with:

1. The host (i.e. me) wears a wife beater, shorts and thongs.
2. Have vegemite on hand for the guests to enjoy.
3. Play AC/DC and Midnight Oil albums all night long.
4. Have footy (proper footy :) on TV.
5. Have a footy on hand to demonstrate with.
6. Provide a fridge full of beer (especially VB).
7. Serve fairy bread.
8. Have a few stubbie holders, including a novelty bikini girl stubbie holder.
9. Serve ANZAC biscuits.
10. Have the party go on long enough and loud enough for it to be shutdown by the "authorities".

Note: in Sweden, the police don't call a close to parties. Rather the building management hirers leather clad, pierced, biker types to tell you to shut up shop. Sweden's not always as pleasant as it seems. No worries, we moved to a club down the street for more good times.

The Aussie party weekend, I also had a mate from uni over at my place, Graham. He's also working in Sweden for a couple of months - but over in Karlskrona, a smallish town on the other side of the country.

We spent the weekend with some Spanish colleagues and their mates who were visiting from Madrid. From canoeing on the lake, to playing frisbee golf, it was an outdoors weekend for the rest of the time.

Frisbee golf is fun... walking around a forest, throwing frisbees... and possibly, also, drinking beer.

Okay, that was the Aussie weekend. A couple of weekends later, it was time for a Swedish weekend.

At some stage in Sweden's history, it was against the law to catch crayfish over summer. At the end of summer, the ban would be lifted, and then the crayfish population would suffer the brunt of a pent up demand for tasty crays. It's not the law any more, but the tradition of an end of summer crayfish party lives on.

Olly, a mate from work, kindly offered to take me down to Skåne, where a mate of his has a farm in the small town of Sjöbo. Perfect for a loud and crazy crayfish party.

These things typically kick off mid-afternoon with some silly games. Split into teams of 6, this allowed everyone to mingle. Competitions included: a dash to the back of the paddock and back - chained to a partner; nailing nails into a plank of wood in the least number of strokes; throwing a hefty lump of metal as far as possible; popping balloons tied to ankles; and drinking some truly awful homebrewed liquor.

Formalities out of the way, it was time for dinner. Crayfish eating isn't for the squeamish.

Step 1: break tail from head.
Step 2: lift up shell, eat brain.
Optional step: celebrate if you were lucky enough to get a pregnant cray with "caviar".
Step 3: crack tail shell, dig out meat, eat.
Step 4: Repeat.

All along the way, keep the liquor flowing. The aquavit limbers up the vocal chords for some Swedish drinking songs. The host, Mikael, needs to be praised for his foresight. He provided song sheets for those who don't know Swedish drinking songs; or who may have forgotten the words due to aquavit consumption... or both.

Of course this all lays the foundations for a decent party lasting well into the evening. Could this be a tradition that I could import into Australia? I hope so!