Once again, I’ll miss being in my hometown on last of April, it’s always a good day to be in the city of Carl von Linné. Even though I probably haven’t had a traditional Uppsala style Valborg since 2000, it still feels like that’s the way it should be celebrated. With dear friends of course, lots of champagne and beer, watching the students, first fight with their rafts in the freezing river and then run down Carolinabacken while waving their hats. The first BBQ of the year should also be planned for this evening and don’t forget the not-putting-on-enough-clothes-because-you-think-it-should-be-summer factor for the day. That’s part of the deal, to be cold most of the day, and spend the following week sneezing with a runny nose and sore throat. If you’re hard-core, you’ll sign up for a 1 May dinner party with at least a seven courses set-up and the longest speeches of the year at one of the student pubs for the day after. We did well back in 2000, Pontus!
Instead I’ve made my way to Londrina tonight. A city, which I know nothing about, some 800 km from here or so in the state of Parana. Sort of go towards São Paulo and keep on going westwards from there, and you should get within the near vicinity of the city. The information I’ve got about the place so far, stretches to that it’s only four hours away from Paraguay, and therefore possible to drive across the boarder to buy some cheap(er) electronics. Not planning to go shopping, but hopefully, I’ll get to experience some South American canoe polo. My strongest perception of the Brazilian version of the sport is from 2002, where the Brazilian players kindly laughed at the Swedish teams when we were off loading our (not so) brilliant Gecko boats in Essen. During the rest of that tournament, there weren’t many quiet moments around the samba players. Not only had they brought their canoe polo gear, but also the drums and the singing and dancing spirit. For sure, I wouldn’t mind some of that this weekend.
In other words, no Valborg, bonfires, forsränning, champagne breakfast, white student hats, fireworks or even a Koninginnedag in orange today. Have to aim for a proper Midsummer weekend this year instead, which would be the first time since 2000 as well if I manage.
Instead I’ve made my way to Londrina tonight. A city, which I know nothing about, some 800 km from here or so in the state of Parana. Sort of go towards São Paulo and keep on going westwards from there, and you should get within the near vicinity of the city. The information I’ve got about the place so far, stretches to that it’s only four hours away from Paraguay, and therefore possible to drive across the boarder to buy some cheap(er) electronics. Not planning to go shopping, but hopefully, I’ll get to experience some South American canoe polo. My strongest perception of the Brazilian version of the sport is from 2002, where the Brazilian players kindly laughed at the Swedish teams when we were off loading our (not so) brilliant Gecko boats in Essen. During the rest of that tournament, there weren’t many quiet moments around the samba players. Not only had they brought their canoe polo gear, but also the drums and the singing and dancing spirit. For sure, I wouldn’t mind some of that this weekend.
In other words, no Valborg, bonfires, forsränning, champagne breakfast, white student hats, fireworks or even a Koninginnedag in orange today. Have to aim for a proper Midsummer weekend this year instead, which would be the first time since 2000 as well if I manage.
No comments:
Post a Comment