a swede in america

We crossed the proverbial pond to visit Grandma and Grandpa. That's the most accurate way to describe our trip since the primary beneficiaries are the kids and the grandparents. This trip is for them. I will try to take advantage of the crumbs and morsels of the leftovers.

Moving on. There is always the element of reverse culture shock. In my opinion this doesn't have to be negative. While getting of the plane encumbered by somewhat sleeping infant in baby carrier, a backpack and carry on, I had a small boy who was miserable having been awoken from his sleep. He pulled it together to walk off the plane on his own. Unfortunately, his grogginess makes him rather clumsy. Tripping up the walkway from the plane, he had a rough arrival on US soil. The shock came from the outpouring of people offering, even insisting on helping me. I was touched. Unfortunately, the only thing I really needed was someone to mind X, but in that state he wants only mommy or daddy. But someone we managed. And I thanked the group of people who tried to help.

In the baggage claim the first observation X made was hearing a child his age speaking. He looked at me in wonder and said, "He speaks English like I do." Funnily enough that everybody speaks English hasn't fazed him after that initial observation.

Jet lag hinders any blog entries of any literary value. I think I'll stop here for now.