Translation: Hey! It’s Angelo reporting from Sweden. I hope that everything  is great with all the outbounds. I am happy to be here. I am having a great  time in Glada Hudik . Here are some of the things that happened this month. 

I once again would like to thank God and District 6990 for awarding me this  once in a lifetime opportunity. I am very grateful for this beautiful  experience because I am learning so much about Sweden and all the different  cultures here. I would also like to say that our website is looking GREAT!  Keep up the good works!

Earlier in September, I experienced my very first crayfish party with a friend at his home. There we ate delicious foods such as crayfish (duh),  pasta, a variety of cheeses, tasty breads, salads, fruits, and tempting  deserts. I had a great time there and I did eat a belly full. The following  week there was an annual event called ‘Marknad’. It actually means the  ‘Market’ in English. It was a fair where you could play games, eat junk  foods and ride the carousels. I went with some of my friends and despite how  chilly it was on the outside we did have a great time. There were lots of  things to do there!

As I mentioned in my last report, I had to show a presentation to my  sponsoring club in Hudiksvall about the Bahamas. I don’t mean to brag, but  the Rotarians REALLY loved it. The members were really attentive and it was  a pleasure to speak about my country to them. I was happy that the members enjoyed the presentation so much! I also had the opportunity to share the  presentation with school students and they loved it too. I was asked by many  teachers to share the same presentation with some more classes so I guess I  have a busy schedule for now!  

Recently, I went to a host cousin’s birthday party and that was fun! There I  ate my favorite Swedish food called smörgastårta (sandwich cake). I hate to  say it but the food here is great! Amidst the delightful aroma of Swedish  meals and tempting chocolates I still manage to control myself. Chocolates  are so cheap here and they are more delicious than Cardboury’s. I am  enjoying the jams, the wild berries, Swedish girls (joking!), rich coffee,  hot chocolate, the coziness I feel in the evenings, the many differences and  the list goes on and on. 

In case you didn’t know, I go to a school called Bromangymnasiet. It  consists of 1,600 high school students and it is the third largest high  school in Sweden. I made tons of friends there. They are of different  backgrounds and it is interesting to speak with them. I made friends from  Iraq, Africa, Iran, Quebec, Japan, United States and even South America. I  was depressed when some of them told me that they left their country in  search of a better life and to escape the wars that are ongoing. Many of  them can’t ever go back to their country because they would be killed. At  times like these I realize how truly blessed I am to be a citizen of the  Bahamas. Through healthy discussions, I discovered that most refugees really  want to go back home but harsh conditions just simply won’t permit. We ought  to be grateful unto God for all the luxuries that we have. Why? Because in  the same world that we all live in, there are many people that are suffering  daily! 

I have quite an active life here in Hudiksvall. I am apart of a tennis club,  a table tennis club, and a floorball club. Sunday passed (September 24), I  went to my very first handball match. I love the sport, however, it is not  so popular in the Bahamas. It’s a really cool game and it’s tougher than  rugby in my opinion. I like sports that stimulate the adrenaline! Cool! 
Swedish is a very difficult language but I am confident that I will be fluent soon. Confidence, patience, and willingness to learn is all that is  needed when learning a second language. Simply take it one day at a time!  Before I go I would just like to share these hilarious words with you! 

Bra - Fine, Good
Kyssa - (pronounced kee-sah) Pee, “Take a wiz”
- (pronounced she-sah) Kiss
Infart & Utfart - Roadways leading into and out of a main area.
Pig - (Pronounced Peeg) Lively
Slut - (pronounced sloot) End
Puss - Kiss

Other things that I found extremely funny was the fact that in public bathrooms you must pay to release a bathroom door and then pay for the time  that you occupy it so it’s better that you use the bathroom at home. Trust  me! It’s not funny when you really need to use the bathroom and realize that  you have no money! I am truly having a great time and I am adjusting to the  Swedish culture with ease. At first, the changes appear to be quite  difficult but an open mind definitely overcomes that barrier. Sweden is  truly charming but quite cold and even that I have gotten used to. I wrote  like two pages so I’ll just quit here! Jag måste gå nu; Jag skriver mer i  nästa rapport! Hejdå! (I have to go now; I will write more in the next  report! Bye!) 

This is my second report for the month of September.

Truly,
Angelo Mortimer
Sverige