Midsummer in Sweden

I feel there is a need this morning to reassure my fellow non-Swedish travelers on the Stockholm Metro who were looking extremely worried and concerned for the health and welfare of the Swedish nation earlier today.

I know that every single Swedish person was carrying a bag full of alcohol and all you could hear was a symphony of clinking bottles. Please do not worry, the Swedes are not a secret nation of alcoholics (far too expensive) nor are they preempting the result again Germany tomorrow.

No, today is in fact "Midsummer", a very important and traditional celebration in Sweden, when people travel to be with friends and family. The day will be spent eating, dancing and generally having fun. However. it does however involve a little drinking and as alcohol needs to be bought from the government owned Systembolaget (which is closed a lot of the time including now until Monday), a certain amount of planning is required if you want to drink today and over the weekend. I know this as I did not have the same forethought on New Years Eve.

So to my Swedish colleagues, friends customers and partners, have a wonderful Midsummer and good luck for those that slept with the flowers under their pillow. With reference to the football, I wish you all the best for the match tomorrow.

So to my German colleagues, friends, customers and partners, good luck on Saturday (what can I say, they are great customers and partners and I am a sales person).

And finally to those concerned travelers today, don't worry, really, and try to take part if you can in the traditions and festivities wherever you are.