Jag bor i Lund

Somewhere between my underpaid job and quest for a master's degree, I landed up in the tiny Swedish city of Lund. Tucked away neatly amidst miles and miles of farmland, Lund was a student city. While it wasn't my first ever shift to a new city, it was definitely the most impressionable one. It took me a while to explain to the folks back home where or what Sweden is. Explaining the city of Lund was a hopeless task. A village, was my first impression. Coming from a city with a population of 8 million, Lund was a considerably inconsequential little town.

Kronetorps Mölla, largest windmill in Skåne

Within a few months, the little city had charmed it's way into my list of top favorites. It was primarily a university city with Lund University plonked over a huge chunk of it. The easiest way there is to land in Copenhagen airport and take the Öresundståg train to Lund Central. It costs about 150 SEK. Skånetrafiken is a godsend and downloading the app would connect you to, literally, all of south Sweden. Being a tropical human, I was unprepared for the winters there. The coldest I have witnessed is -13°C. It does have a tendency to drop lower whenever it feels like. Be prepared for the cold Baltic breeze that makes the temperature feel even lower by a couple of degrees and chills your very core.

Ingvar Kamprad Designcentrum, design laboratory

There are many ways to escape the cold. Keep your leather shoes on, warm socks, layer up and cover your ears. One of my favourite ways was hanging out at Café Ariman where you get it all, cakes, lunches, cocktails, wine and beer. Since 1983, it has been the popular meet up spot for all Lund students, adults and citizens. It's cosy wooden furniture, brick walls and game nights was definitely the reason why it was my regular haunt. Their mull wine or in Swedish terms, Glögg, with almonds and raisins floating in it will breathe life back into you on your coldest days.

Cafe Ariman, 1983

Once the summer sets in there are many places to visit. One of my most favourite places in the summer was Lomma beach. It has the most beautiful fine white sand with the bright blue sea lazily, rhythmically flowing in and out. It was a 33 minute bus ride or a 36 minute bike ride. We've done it all. By this time, the sun is bright and high, the Swedes are friendly, the yachts are out and everyone's sitting around sipping on wine or beer. Summer is finally hear. Goodbye winter blues, we'll see you in a few months!

Lomma beach, Swedish white sand beach

My second favourite place to visit around Lund was Glumslöv, a city located in the Landskrona Municipality. The beauty of the Skåne County beaches are the little patches of green that you find on the sandy shores. This particular city is filled with quaint Swedish summer houses. I was told that during the Nazi rule, anti Nazi rebels would swim across from Denmark and be helped on to the Swedish soil by the local folk. I was also told that the one I visited with, had lost her father there to suicide, which brings us to the harsh Swedish depression that most people tend to experience there. Reach out to your local Vårdcentral and let them know if you experience any suicidal thoughts or depressive symptoms.

Glumslöv, a cloudy day A peak into a Swedish household

My most favourite Swedish place, mostly because of my dorm mate and her cats was Höör, a village that looked straight out of a fairy tale. Surrounded by the Skane woods, it's a magical little town easily accessible by train. I had the good fortune of visiting the place for Easter, with a fun little treasure hunt in the woods and the most scrumptious feast, the starved student in me had had in a while.

Höör, Easter celebrations

Overall between the magic of the city and the cosiness provided by the Swedes, Lund is most definitely a great place to visit. It could be around Easter or around Midsommar. It could be when the sun is shining or when the cold white snow has enveloped the old historical city. Whenever you decide to visit, be ready to be awestruck by the cosiness this little city has to offer.

Here's the first ever word I learnt in Swedish, Skål! Cheers to you.

Cottage in Hoor Handmade Midsommar floral crowns