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seaforebaskets · 10 months

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Roman Leaders as Scents:

Aurelian: vanilla ice cream and chocolate cookies

Probus: chocolate and space flavoured pop tart

Diocletian: orange mixed with daisy

Maximian: rose with a hint of sea salt

Constantius Chlorus: honey, mint and scented beaver pop

Constantine: peppermint and pomegranate seeds

Maxentius: cabbages and sweet Dahlia

Constans: candy cane and sugar roads

Constantine II: apple with bananas

Constantius II: star, sky and the clouds

Julian: old books with a tint of earthly delights

Valentinian: cucumber and cherries

Theodosius the Elder: melted steel with light strawberries

Valens: burning fire with a hint of chicken

Valentinian II: maple syrup and artillery fire

Theodosius I: lime and caramel

Honorius: black blood and black liquorice

Arcadius: lion pee and the clouds (for good measure)

Flavius Stilicho: blackberry and flower petals

Flavius Aetius: the manly sweat combined with axe body spray, lavender, Chanel no.5 and jasmine (i what that smelled like)

Anastasius: rainbow pond made from strawberry, grape and bitter green tea

Justin: Red ginseng and a dirt from mars (lol)

Justinian: lollipop with a slow aftertaste and purple magic

Theodora: margarita, summer farm and chilli peppers

Justinian II: lion skin and tiger eyes alongside dried chilli peppers and cherries

Phocas: stinky cheese mixed with lettuce, tomato and mud sauce

Heraclius: cinnamon, cactus flowers, leaves and actual celestial crystals

John: diluted energy drinks and an annoyingly stubborn coffee and mocha scent

Basil I: high acid level rivers and the scent of the skies

Basil II: coconut, banana and pear

Alexios: charcoal burning in fire and a recently trimmed grass alongside some falling orange leaves alongside cinnamon and a champagne flavoured tea

John II: fresh milk with a hint of lemon pepper macaroon, sweet potato and pumpkin

#random stuff #roman empire #magical trips to the rainbow skies and chocolate lands anyone?#Roman history #roman empire shitposting #Not really connected to their personalities but deviating from the interstate road as a bump car rider #Valentinian I #Valentinian the Great #Aetius’ one is so random #Making a magical potion alongside my spell book in order to resurrect these people from the dead

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travelswithmyart · 5 years

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When people ask me why I have moved back to Sweden, I realise there isn’t just one specific answer. In fact there are so many reasons why my family and I wanted to return to land of forests, lakes and endless summer nights.

My family and I moved from England to Sweden in 2011. After living in Stockholm for three years, we then decided to move to East Africa. I’m not entirely sure why we moved to Tanzania, I suppose it was because we wanted to give our children a taste of adventure and it was an amazing experience.

But the longer we were away, the more we realised how much we missed Europe. Although it was not England we missed, but Sweden. We missed the wild swimming, the work-life balance, the fact that everything works, the seasonal change, the vast open spaces where you can walk for miles and never see anyone, the safety and security, the fact that an entire culture is centred around children, the progressive political system and the fika. In short we missed everything, so a few months ago we moved back.

In no particular order, here are 10 reasons why we returned to Sweden.

10 reasons why we returned to Sweden

Wild Swimming

There is nothing as liberating as wild swimming. And in the summer months in Sweden you can do this pretty much anywhere there is water. The water is crystal-clear and often you will have a beach entirely to yourself. For the true Scandinavian experience, couple your wild swim with a trip to a bastu (sauna).

Frida, Leon and Lottie – Wild swimming in the lake at Domarudden near Åkersberga.

Lottie and Frida – Wild swimming in the lake at Domarudden near Åkersberga.

Leon – Wild swimming in the lake at Domarudden near Åkersberga.

2. Equality

Much as I love Britain, I am aware that it is still a society deeply divided by class. So it is refreshing to know that in Sweden there is an unspoken rule amongst most Swedes called ‘Jantelagen’, which is the idea that you are not any better than anyone else. In addition to this Sweden is considered to be one of the countries with the greatest gender equality, topping several international gender rankings, together with its Nordic neighbours.

3. Fika

Fika is a big part of every Swede’s daily life. Fika means ‘to have a coffee’, but really it is much more than just that. Swedish people love their fika, it gives them the opportunity to meet and hang out with friends, get to know new people, check out potential partners or even network with business folks. By many Fika has been described as a social institution or even phenomena. And the cakes are amazing too, especially the kanelbullar – which even has it’s own national day!

Kanelbullar – Swedish cinnamon rolls

Leon with a fresh batch of Kanelbullar

Lottie and Frida making Kanelbullar

4. Work-life balance

Sweden’s flexible approach to working hours is one reason it was ranked best in the world for work-life balance in a recent survey. Once out of the office Swedes place a huge focus on a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle. Stressing less, spending quality time with friends and family, and developing personal skills are important values here.

5. The Right of Public Access – Allemansrätten

‘Allemansrätten’ is the freedom to roam and is the general public’s right to access certain public area. ‘Allemansrätten’ or ‘everyman’s right’, gives a person the right to access, walk, cycle, ride, ski, and camp on any land—with the exception of private gardens.

Picnics by the lake in Sweden

Hiking in forests in Sweden

6. Seasonal Change

There is no other place that I have lived which has such a diverse seasonal change as Sweden. Throughout the year the weather alters so much, from endlessly warm summer evenings to bitterly cold snowy winter mornings. In summer the sun rises at 3 and sets at 10.30, with twilight and dusk blending into one. Autumn brings such rich colours, reds, oranges, yellows, and browns, it is as if everything has been kissed by the heavy northern sun. Then comes winter. The days suddenly become shorter, but because of the snow, everywhere is still bright and fresh. There is no more magical place than snowy Sweden at Christmas. And finally comes spring, when trees are heavy with pink and white blossom and the smell of lilac and honeysuckle fills the air and everyone seems out on their bicycles.

A double rainbow over the Saltsjön in Stockholm, Sweden

Autumn in Sweden

Long autumnal shadows in Sweden

Snowy bikes

Icicles on a very cold day in Sweden

Lilac from the garden on the table

Elderflowers in full bloom in the hedgerows

Summer along Åkers Canal in Åkersberga, Sweden

Wood Anemone carpeting woodland floors in Åkersberga, Sweden

Early morning light on a snowy day in Sweden

Yellow flowers and blue skies in Bohuslän, Sweden

Ali and family under the blossom trees in Kungsträdgården, in Stockholm, Sweden

Winter along Åkers Canal in Åkersberga, Sweden

7. Paying Tax

This is something which many people will not understand why I am highlighting as a positive reason for being in Sweden. But, after living in countries that are riddled with corruption it is a blessing to live in a society where tax avoidance is an anathema. Although taxes in Sweden are considered higher than other places, you see the rewards in everything you do, and not just for you, but for everyone – healthcare, education, benefits, transport, public spaces, social infrastructure and more.

8. Hygge

Ok so hygge is really a Danish or Norwegian concept but I believe the Swedes do it fairly well too. Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. On a cold winter evening in Sweden, nothing could be more cozy than sitting snuggled up with your tofflor (Swedish slippers) on, reading a book, sipping a hot drink, while scented candles are flickering on your IKEA coffee table.

Hygge moment – book, slippers, cup of tea and chocolate

9. Lagom

Lagom is the Swedish expression for ‘in moderation’, ‘just right’ or ‘not too much and not too little’. In 2019 people are living their lives either to excess or embracing minimalism. The Swedish concept of ‘Lagom,’ is the space between minimalism and excess. Many Swedes believe the myth that the word lagom comes from the old times when most Swedes were farmers or Vikings, and drinking from the same horn or bowl. When they handed it around in circles, they tried to make sure that everyone gets their fair share, laget om, around the whole team.

10. The perfect place to raise a family

Sweden regularly tops the polls when it comes to the best country to live in if you’re raising children. Some of the many parent-friendly perks include long parental leave policies, free schooling – including university, affordable childcare, child-friendly public spaces and a system where the Government will pay 80 per cent of your wage when you are taking time off work to look after a sick child.

All aboard the Dalarna Horse for some Midsummer fun at Skansen in Stockholm

Family selfie in Kungsträdgården with ice-creams

Ali, Lottie, Leon and Frida with Lake Mälaren, Sweden

Wild swimming with my children in Lake Mälaren, Stockholm, Sweden

Mark with the children in Stockholm

Family cycle ride in Spånga, Sweden

Walking back home after sledging in Spånga, Stockholm

Trip to Stockholm’s archipelago

Hurrah for snow! Sweden in winter

Ten reasons why I moved back to Sweden When people ask me why I have moved back to Sweden, I realise there isn't just one specific answer.

#children #expat #expat life #family #photography #Stockholm #Sweden #travel #travel photography

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