“There is no bad weather, just bad clothing.”

This is an often used Swedish quote.  The longer I live here, the more I understand it.  Swedes seem to be out in all weather, and I respect that.  I am not saying I want to do it.  But I respect it.

The weather here in Malmö changes very quickly.  I am used to changeable weather.  Clevelander’s have their own saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.”  Of course the weather there doesn’t really change that quickly, but the temperature may fluctuate twenty or more degrees from one day to the next.  On rare occasion, a storm wind will blow refreshingly cool air off Lake Erie to break a hot spell, and the temperature might drop twenty degrees in an hour’s time.  But in Malmö, the weather can go from gray and rainy, to incredibly sunny blue skies, and then back to gray and rainy again all within an hour.  One either brings an umbrella “just in case,” or just walks through it.

Perhaps these pictures of black clouds overshadowing bright white billowy ones, illustrate the changeable weather better than I can explain it.

It is cool here.  Cooler than I anticipated.  I am not complaining (too much) because I really dislike hot weather.  May had some days in the 80’s, but June is historically cooler and wetter than May, and July  continues to have high temperatures in the 60’s and low 70’s.  But the Swedes love to be outdoors, so they dress appropriately, and they bravely get out there, turning their faces toward the sun.  And what do they wear?  One Sunday afternoon in mid-June I saw a young woman in a knit hat and gloves.  Scarves are in style, so they are common.  Many women wear leggings.  At first I assumed leggings were a fashion statement.  They are cute.  But then I realized that if I wanted to wear a summer skirt, I would be too cool without leggings.  And so – I now have 5 pair!  Like I said: They are cute!

 

The restaurant owners are smart business persons and also accommodate for the climate.  There are not only heaters placed outdoors, but fleece throws on every chair.  I love it!  The outdoor seating areas are  filled to capacity.

Shoes.  I love shoes.  I brought miscellaneous flats, sandals and even a few pair of heels when we moved here.  But I have stopped wearing them.  Relying on walking and public transportation, I typically walk from 3-7 miles a day.  I need to wear shoes that take care of my feet.  So I have invested more Kroners than I care to think of in Dr. Scholl's (pronounced, by the way, something like: F + whew + ools).   Oh well….at least I have cute leggings….