As time has gone on I
have been able to delve a little deeper into the way of life here in Sweden by
the help of my buddy Andy Bång and my friend family.
My friend family took
me to a glass blowing factory about 20Km outside of Växjӧ. I will lay down a
bit of history for this area as it had one of the largest glass blowing
industries.
In the mid-18th
century, with forestry in decline, this south-eastern district of Sweden needed
to find a new industry to support its people. The glass works industry was born
in Kosta, using firewood from the immense surrounding forests and water from
the lakes. As the glass industry boomed and its wares distributed all over the
world, the district soon came to be known as the Kingdom of Crystal. Sadly there
are 3 factories in this area now as not many people can afford blown glass.
I visited one of the
last remaining factories called Bergdala; its famous at it is the only glass
factory in Sweden that still a wooden floor in the work shop. It was awesome to see, how they came from
just the sand to amazing pieces of art. The skill that it took to makes these
grand pieces of art was so impressive. The men working in the factory (all 6 of
them) made it look so easy. My friend
family knew the owner of the factory so was given a private tour of the
different areas. It was great to see the different stages and the patience’s
needed for it, I feel they could teach teachers a thing or two about that.
Amazingly I was given
the chance to blow some glass and made myself a glass made of blue glass cover
in clear glass. I got to try the different techniques but it is very difficult
but I loved the challenge of it and I also love working with my hands so I
think I would have taken to it quickly if given another chance. It’s ugly as sin but because I made it, it’s
special. I choose the blue glass as it is special for this factory, they don’t
tell anyone the recipe of how to make the cobalt blue glass.
My Swedish has come on,
let’s say a bit. I find it unbelievably difficult to grasp just the sounds they
make are very difficult for me to make. But my buddy has been great at helping
me learn some more and helping me with my oral for the exam. I have never liked
learning languages and it’s not because of being ignorant thinking everyone
should learn English. Having hearing problems, speech therapy and dyslexia have
made learning any language hard, even my own….ha-ha. But I still feel it is
incredibly important for us to at least try and give it ago, if you get it
wrong big deal. I know from my own experiences that if you at least try and
talk the native tongue people will appreciate the effort and also it’s how you
learn best.
Sorry there are no pictures
this time either, I lost my phone and have no camera so have to wait to steal
some friend’s pictures.
Tak så
myket for reading. (more pics will be up soon)
Until next time Hej
då
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