Midsummer!!!!

So here in Sweden they celebrate Midsummer, which I believe is the summer soltice. It is the only remaining Pagen holiday celebrated in Sweden. It traditional involves eating a lot, drinking a lot and dancing around a may pole. I got invited by Chris to his friends Midsummer Party. The party started at 2 pm with a lot of food. We sat around and ate, it seemed like never ending amounts of food. Including sill (I think that’s the name, its made with herring and there are many different types, I tried a mustard based one… it was not very good), fresh potatoes, Swedish meatballs, sausages, deviled eggs, salad.

(The first of many many courses)

Apparently this is what you do, just sit around and eat for a long time. And every 15 minutes randomly break into song about Midsummer, something about the moon being full, and full in Swedish means drunk, so then you sing the song and all drink to the sun/ moon gods or something of that nature. We ate for a few hours, then went to play Frisbee in the park, then came back and ate desert.

(Jennifer made a beautiful Midsummer flower crown, and Elin is just trying to look as cool as Jennifer)

(Then I stole it because I wanted to look Midsummer-y)

The rest of the night was just a party. I talked politics, fashion, photography, listened and danced to American music mixed with a few Swedish songs, ate some yummy quiche, watched a hilarious commercial made by IKEA about midsummer. It was a lot of fun. Everyone at the party was so nice, and really included me. It was so nice to spend the holiday with Swedes. J It was a great time. The party went on late into the night.

(The only 2 dancing at the time, doing the macarena)

(This picture is mostly just to show how awesome Roy's apartment is, although the picture is a little dark)

On my way home, there were 2 fights on my subway. Girls who had been drinking too much and were punching each other, police had to get on our train and we had to sit on the train stopped for 20 minutes or so. Here in Stockholm, its so so safe. I think mostly because it stays light here forever, but since Midsummer is the biggest drinking holiday here in Sweden I guess it gets crazy! Ha ha. Needless to say it was a great night but after a day of partying I was ready to get to bed!