Woman Cannot Live on Powdered Soup Alone.

Over the past week, one simple truth rises out of the predictable clutter of cultural adjustments standard upon moving to a foreign country:

Food plays a role in defining our human experience.

As this may seem a strange truth to dwell on during my first week, I will develop it further. 

Sweden is expensive. While I have traveled to large cities in the U.S. and experienced the price hiking common in such larger locales, I have taken for granted the availability for cheap food. I assumed that the McDonald's Dollar Menu (or its foreign equivalent) would always be available to pick up on an alimentary whim. As with many other times in my life, experience has proved my preconceived notions wrong. 

Eating on a budget in Stockholm has been my greatest challenge. Yes, it surpasses the difficulty inherent in not speaking the native language of a country. Yes, it precedes the loneliness of only have acquaintances and no friends yet. When paying one's way (flight, rent, etc.) completely, the idea of paying $10 for a simple sandwich in a cafe is difficult to stomach (literally). 

To expand on my diet over the last week, I can explain it in three simple points:

1. Powdered soup. Prior to coming here, I didn't even know this existed. It does and it comes in various flavors/colors. Even better, the box contains a 3-pack for a mere $1.50 (10 SEK). Just add boiling water and voila: a meal. Kind of. I'm partial to the Redd Grönsack (whatever this means) one - it even had 4 peas in it once. See, Mom - I am getting my vegetables!

2. Salami & cream cheese sandwiches. I think they somehow make their loaves of bread here longer and cut the slices more thinly. For a woman who did not buy a loaf of bread all of fall semester at Gustavus, attempting to eat through roughly 30 pieces of break in 6 days is a feat I have yet to accomplish...I have until the 9th to finish it off before the "Best By" date rolls around. Wish me luck.

3. Lattes. These are truly always my downfall. They are an addiction I can't quite overcome and the espresso machine at work (free!) is not helping. But even so, Swedes are known for their outrageously high consumption of coffee and the most charming of cafes seem to dot every corner of this beautiful city simply to tempt me. Lest you think I am too easily swayed, I will let you know that I have consumed only 3 (a prodigious accomplishment in my mind) as they cost a whopping $5.80 (38 SEK) for a small. Yes, that is correct. I have spend almost $20 on lattes while eating powdered soup. Life is full of contradictions.

Before I got sidetracked on my love for lattes, I was contemplating on how the food we eat shapes our outlooks. This weekend I explored Gamla Stan, the oldest part of Stockholm, and while admittedly the most touristy, it was endearing in its quaintness. Narrow cobblestone streets divide beautifully old buildings whose street level rooms have been converted to cafes, restaurants, and shops. Christmas stars and candles still light up the upper level windows and give the area an intimate feeling. Yet as I wandered through this idyllic area of Stockholm, all I could think of as I looked into the cafe windows was the food I could not afford. As I munched on my salami & cream cheese sandwich, I wasn't able to fully appreciate the beauty surrounding me and I felt like I was missing out on the true essence of Gamla Stan by being unable to partake in its food. 

It got me thinking. How much does food contribute to our experience? There is something special about sharing a meal with people you care about - not eating at your desk or while you walk, as I have over the last week. Perhaps I am overanalyzing its importance because I am also missing those I care about, but food plays a key role in my happiness and my connection with others. Some of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of my life have occurred while sharing a latte in a coffee shop or over oil-spitting fondue pots at Christmas. 

As I look towards this new week, I vow to make healthier choices about my food choices. If it means buying one less clothing item at H&M (or the 20+ other stores like it) in order to eat a vannilbulle while drinking a latte, then so be it. If a $6 latte is the price I have to pay for a more positive outlook, I may come home broke. Yet I can't help but think that only by trying the food here will I truly appreciate Swedish culture in all of its fullness.

Needless to say, I bought a gyro tonight for dinner and it was delicious. You know, woman cannot live on powdered soup alone.