I really liked Michael’s suggestions for the use of that odd looking hut I posted a picture of yesterday. Sadly enough, it IS a shelter for smokers, and the headline is in reference to a Swedish trait. Namely, our want/need to please everyone…
The stores are not allowed to sell tobacco products to persons under the age of 18. Smoking is banned in all public buildings, restaurants, banks, trains etc – I don’t even think there is such a thing as a smoking section anywhere these days. There are constant ad campaigns against smoking – we have contests in school to encourage children to remain smokefree. In other words: society is really trying to discourage the use of tobacco every which way they can. The absolute majority of people do not allow smoking in their homes either and anyone that does is almost stigmatised for it.
And yet:
The county builds a special little hut so that teachers (and students) at Senior High won’t get wet when the light up! Until the beginning of last summer there was even a small, heated gazebo outside the County Seat for the same purpose… (In all fairness, it also encourages smokers to get away from the entrance area and will lessen the amount of cigarette butts on the ground.)
Yes, I know I’m beginning to sound somewhat sanctimonious – what with being a former smoker myself – but the contradiction in actions from the authorities shouldn’t be lost on anyone.
Even the soccer goals look pretty in their winter covering.
The camera can’t reproduce the intense pink of the sky exactly as I would like…
…but the trees are beautiful during those precious few moments the sun shines on them.
Tomorrow I’m off for another day of interviews at the Migration Board with my other teenager. On the way down there, we’re going to stop off at my Dad’s place for a quick visit and to collect some parcels I’m to bring to Canada. There will also be time enough for -H- to visit the indoor swimming pool for an hour or so. It’ll be a full day, no doubt but hopefully worth it.
Yay! More tree pics! The pink is gorgeous with the snowy trees, even if the color isn’t as vibrant as it is in “real life.”
My 2nd guess –after bus shelter– was smoking shelter. Away from public doorways is a good thing.
Your trip is coming up FAST!!
Comment by kcinnova — December 11, 2008 @ 9:30 pm
I love your pics. The contrast at the moment between your country and ours couldn’t be more extreme!
I have just returned from a week on the Chatham Islands, a remote group of islands in the Pacific that are part of New Zealand. Although they are not really classed as tropical, the weather was extremely hot, sunburn hot!
People must be very dedicated smokers to sit in such a cold hut to have their fix.
Comment by merinz — December 11, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
Merinz, you wouldn’t believe what smokers can put up with for their fix. I even know people who go out in winter (in the Yukon!) without jackets. I guess the smoke heats them up from the inside!
Comment by fawnahareo — December 12, 2008 @ 12:36 am
That pink is stunning.
Comment by Jenn @ Juggling Life — December 12, 2008 @ 6:56 am
Merinz and Fawn – I too would nip out for a quick smoke without my jacket….
I’m just so glad that I’m here to write about it, 1½ years after I quit!
BTW. Yesterday (the 11th) marked the anniversary of my operation.
Comment by allmycke — December 12, 2008 @ 6:57 am
What gorgeous photos. I love the pink reflected in the snow on the tree pic.
My fingers, toes and everything else are crossed for you re the Immigration Board hearings.
X
Comment by stacey — December 15, 2008 @ 3:51 am