Expectations.

Instead of  writing about each of the places that I'm hoping to visit during my first week in Sweden, (Don't worry, I'll write about that another day) I decided to take time to post about my expectations of Sweden, and this trip as a whole. From the trip from my house to the airport, to the trip from the airport back home, the following is what I expect to happen, encounter, and learn during my three month vacation.

I expect Sweden to be calmer than Toledo. I don't expect it to be as calm as a field of flowers, but I also don't expect to see customers jumping through a drive through window of a McDonalds because they can't get chicken nuggets in the morning. I don't expect to hear about people getting shot, or their houses burned down, or huge car accidents on a regular basis while I am there.  I'm not saying that these things won't happen, because I'm not ignorant. I'm sure that things like those mentioned above do happen (with the exception of the person in the drive through), but I've got a hunch, that things like those don't happen as often as they do here. I also have a feeling that theft is a lot less common, that people don't steal from others cars, (that may be due to the fact that there aren't as many cars in Sweden as there are here.) or home, or off their person. I feel that things in Sweden will be a lot more peaceful. It won't be as busy. People won't be in as much of a rush as Toledoans, as Americans in general, at least that is how I envision it.

I suppose I should mention that I envision Sweden as much prettier than Toledo. Although, I think just the fact that Sweden has so much more history has something to do with it being prettier. If Toledo was as old as Sweden, I could see it being prettier. It would be stupid of me to say that I think Sweden is more beautiful, without showing some pictures for comparison. Although I am going to take the best photos of both places, so I guess it will make Toledo look a bit nicer than it actually is to live here.
So here are some pictures of Sweden:

And now for some pictures of Toledo:

Granted all these pictures are not the only things in Toledo, nor are the pictures all there are in Sweden. I just tried to get a good mix. Although if you google Toledo Ohio, the majority of the pictures are of Downtown Toledo. Which is understandable. I wish I could have found some of the rest of the city. Maybe at some point I will post pictures of my favorite places in Toledo, and compare it to my favorite places in Sweden...(Once I've been there and had more experiences there) I always seem to post "Maybe... I'll post"  I'm sorry if that bores anyone, its just a way for me to remember my ideas for things to post, and think about later!  

I expect that when I get there, people will be friendlier, and more welcoming. Not to say that I believe that all people here are unfriendly, but I do think that Swedes will be friendlier to an American girl, than Americans to a Swede. I think this, due to the fact that in Sweden, children start learning English at a young age. It's required. After you get to high school, and pass your required English classes, which is the two first years, you are not required to take any more English. You also have the opportunity to take another foreign language in high school, which some people take advantage of. I think that, the fact that they are learning about other languages and other cultures when they are younger, makes them more open to other people, as they get older. Here in America, taking a foreign language is not necessarily required, (although advised). Although we are the melting pot of the world, I don't necessarily believe that we are all that open to other cultures. I think because we are not all necessarily exposed to them at a young age, when we are vulnerable to learning the most, that it is more difficult for us to be ok with differences, as we get older. I personally have seen experience with this when I took Spanish class, my freshman and sophomore years of high school. The majority of the kids could care less about learning about a different culture, as well as they didn't want to take the time to improve their skills in the language. I felt that many of the kids in my class, just took it, so they could get into college. Which I think is a sad fact. If we were to force another language at a young age (Which would never be allowed, because too many people would complain) I think we would be more open to other cultures. Anton is always saying that most Swedes don't expect me to speak Swedish, and like to speak English. In my experience here I've never felt that welcoming of another culture. Most of the attitudes that I've seen are those that say "Speak English, perfectly, or I don't want you here" Granted that is not everyone. But it is a chunk of people. I'm excited to see if Anton is correct, about the attitude difference.

I guess my last expectation would be just the atmosphere in general. I know that his hometown was once named Europe's greenest city. When Anton was here, he looked at me funny when I threw away dead batteries. He said that they recycle them over there. So I think that will be completely different for me, because back home its not something that I commonly do (although I should). I also think that it will be different having to walk places, and not depending on a car. I'm so dependent on my car to go everywhere. Getting anywhere without a car is inconvenient. Our public transportation system here is less than reliable, and everything is on such a large scale, that walking would almost be impossible unless you live close to your destination, or want to leave hours beforehand, and chance walking through a bad neighborhood or two.  

So as far as expectations go, these are about the only things that I can think of at the moment. Of course as I come up with more, in the weeks before my trip, I will try to remember and update them. I'm not sure what I am going to write about in my next blog, I hope it will be interesting, and I hope this blog post hasn't completely bored you! I'll post more later today maybe, since I have been absent for almost 5 days, I think I need to catch up some!