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!

midsummer's eve

Midsummer in Sweden is a big deal. It's the holiday of the year. Celebrations usually involve friends, family and lots and lots of spirits.

There can be nothing more Swedish than raising a May Pole, dancing around it singing about little frogs, then settling in for a hearty lunch of pickled herring, new season potatoes, and strawberry cake. Lunch should be punctuated with frequent drinking and singing.

Luckily for me, I was able to get involved thanks to a work mate, Anders, hosting some of us for midsummer's eve. I had company as well, Carmen joined me in Göteborg from London. Also from work there was a couple of Spaniards, a couple of Chinese, and a few more Swedes just to make sure it was a Swedish enough day!

Did I mention the May Pole?

What's it look like? Squint a bit and use only the slightest bit of imagination. Yup, that's right. It symbolises a giant cock being shoved into mother earth, hence kick starting another year of fertile ground, good crops, etc.

After the raising of the May Pole, kids and parents are encouraged to dance around the pole. One of the more popular songs is Små Grodorna, or Small Frog. Basically it goes something along the lines of: small frogs are funny to see, the have no ears, and no tail. And they go kvack ack ack, kvack ack ack.

That's a funny conversation to have over a few drinks: what do animals "say" in other languages. In Swedish, frogs say kvack, kvack, and definitely not ribbit! I forget some of the others now, but commonly ducks, dogs, pigs and birds say things other than quack, woof, oink and tweet in Spanish, Swedish and Chinese. Cats seem to be the only animal that is the same in all: meow.

It was hungry work standing in a park on a Friday afternoon, so soon enough we headed back to Anders' place for a traditional midsummer's eve lunch.

Note: when a Swede offers you "seal" don't jump to conclusions. They do not slaughter baby seals in celebration of midsummer... There's a nicer explanation, as we found out. The Swedish word for herring is sill... Actually the English speakers were fine, as the Swede's told us sill is herring, but the Spanish call herring, aringa, (which is actually an Italian word!). No wonder we were all a bit confused! But don't worry: if you are in Norway, and they offer you seal, then it's a good chance it actually is seal!

After a lunch and a few Aquavit's: O. P. Andersen, and Skåne, to name just two. We headed outside for a game of Kubb. This is an old Swedish game, where you take turns to throw sticks at each other... sort of...

The game is played informally in back yards and parks all over the country whenever the sun is out. The playing field is set up with six kubbs either side, and one king in the middle (pictured). There are six throwing sticks, and two opposting teams. The teams throws all six sticks in a turn to attempt to knock over the kubbs. Once one teams' kubbs are all knocked over, it's time to knock over the king. The king should not be knocked over until the very end, otherwise you lose instantly (kind of like the black ball in pool).

Kubb was really enjoyable. Standing around in the sunshine, talking, and occasionally throwing sticks (and insults). All in all midsummer's eve was really enjoyable! Thanks to Anders for hosting us.