Scandinavia and the world

For those who are from the rest of the world except Scandinavia but have lived in one of the provinces will agree that its system/principles stands out from their native. Be it in resource management and love for science and human values, there is a lot that many may have found interesting. For those who havent gotten a chance to get to know the natives of Scandinavia, heres a link which portrays their stereotype in an animated format.

http://satwcomic.com/sweden-denmark-and-norway

The reason why its worth blogging about is to share the Scandinavian celebrations and highlight their individual value system. For example, the love of beer- cheapest in Denmark, for sale only till 8PM in Norwegian supermarkets (priced in gold), only 2.8% and 3.5% versions of beer available in Swedish supermarkets (costing the same as "normal" beer). There is a cartoon for that.

Last year, Sweden had the attention of the world press for its efficiency in recycling and extracting biofuels from biological waste. It was not only had the best recycling quotient with least routed to landfill, it had a hunger for waste! Yes, it was importing waste from its neighbours. The cartoon that encompasses the pride? Here- http://satwcomic.com/trash-robber

Another favourite- their audacious love for rotten fish, the smell of which will make sewage less threatening.  http://satwcomic.com/nordics-like-fish
It hit the spot when I was celebrating Mid summer for the first time last year with my Swedish friend Jonas and his family. Its a Herculean task to stand in the same neighbourhood when a resident opens a can of Surstromming, let alone digging into it with a spoon.

I have now spent 2 and a half years in Sweden and celebrated Christmas in Norway. I can only speak for Sweden when I say there a lot more to it than blonde hair, ABBA and IKEA. The take home message from this blog should be make it a point to come to Scandinavia and have an experience of your lifetime (most probably). And the links should help prepare any Xenophobes prior to entry.