In Sweden, it was pretty different when I first left Arlanda airport. It was the calmest airport I have ever been to. From the skies, you could see the tremendous green surrounding the capital. The air when I left the airport was astonishing and refreshing.
Arlanda Airport is far from Stockholm, Sweden’s capital. Thus, we travelled for some time to go to Stockholm. However, it was energising to see all the green along the way. The Nordic houses around the road seemed cosy and liveable for a lifetime. We arrived in Stockholm.
I was shocked by the almighty city’s calmness. The organisation of the houses at first glance was magnificent even to see. I can only wonder how it is to age here. The roads and traffic were peaceful, unlike in Istanbul, France and Rome. We were travelling through the city.
I can easily say I have not seen any group more than number four on the streets. This reminded me that Scandinavia all liked less, which is more. You can see this in the natives’ clothes and lifestyle. You can see the simplicity in Scandinavian houses and, of course, IKEA.
Stockholm is built upon islands which are connected by bridges. Some in my companionship mentioned that Stockholm was called the Venice of the north. I’m afraid I have to disagree, as Venice should be called the Stockholm of the south. I have both been to Venice and Stockholm. I can easily say that both cities contain great history, yet, Venice is chaotic and maybe a cliché.
Initially, we landed in the part of Stockholm that contained the museums. From Biologiska Museet to Vasa Museet, you greet great museums. If only we had time to visit them all.
Next, we went to Gamla Stan- the old city centre. Waking through the city streets, our friend who knew Stockholm well told us that Swedish people valued the past extensively. You had to inform your municipality to change the colour of your house. One nation's attitude to its history is marvellous.
In the evening, I wanted some adventure and grabbed the nearest metro station in Stockholm. The train network was initially confusing as I wondered whether we would stop at every location indicated. That was so many. I had taken the red metro line if any readers here are from Stockholm. After going to the end of the metro, I took a brief walk outside to the metro. There, I realised that the city was growing horizontally, unlike most cities. This gave the city room to breathe. There, I remember some Swedish teenagers walking with other children who were not native Swedes. Three were blonde and wore white; the other two were black and seemed non-local. I was surprised to see that, perhaps after witnessing all the white-black tension in the US. Quite interestingly, one of them noticed my interested gaze and pushed one of the non-local teenagers after looking at me. Nothing happened, and they continued to walk together. After witnessing that, I didn’t find the courage to look at them again. This point is quite interesting for me to see. In my own country, most of the natives despise the refugees. Some blame them for escaping from the war rather than standing up and defending their territory. Although no one would want to become a second-class citizen away from their origins, some conditions force people to emigrate elsewhere. In Stockholm, you could see desert people here in the land of winter.
I was lucky to be answered by the police here. They said they were on the alarm because the crime rates increased. Here is the recent news I was reading about them in Sweden.
I was angry after reading those. Not because this was happening in my own country but because I saw people who acted with grace and were thanked for all those crimes. It could be true that more logical steps for immigrant integration could have taken place, but why would you make your citizens second-class citizens? It was surprising to encounter the same feeling in another country—a dramatic irony. The housing crisis in Sweden has long been known thanks to booming immigration rates. In the 11th election that will take place on Sunday, it will be interesting to see how the nation will react and whether the Democrats will stay in power. I can only hope for the best for all.
I am not racist, but once you make your citizens the “second” class, you are racist to your own. The question of how the new balance will be set is uncertain for now.
Everybody will eventually be given a chance to break away from the meaning monopoly of religion. Perhaps we see a laissez-faire profit distribution of freed capital from this monopoly in current policies.
More and more, In Goteborg, while trying to navigate within the construction sites, my friend and I encountered a female member of our group. She was pleased to see us. My friend asked what happened and said she had located strange behaviours from the people. It was getting dark here. She noted that the disturbers did not seem like natives. We quickly realised the gangs had formed due to immigrants. Later that day, I did not find the courage to travel to Goteborg as I did in Stockholm.
During the road, I have seen the grace given to nature. The same respect for great nature mesmerised me. The calmness and the design of the Swedes were magnificent. I hope Sweden will protect its values and quality even against the threat of incoming winter and cultural degeneration caused by jerky mass moves to a country. We know that the native population has been declining in the north. This is the dilemma and cost-benefit of northern immigration policies.
A mathematical ratio sets the immigrant inflow rate that optimises the benefit they bring versus the risk they pose.
It would be best if you sustained the labour supply. But when you cannot maintain it, you must increase supply elsewhere. You do this by allowing immigrants. The cost is the mentioned stress and perhaps the nation’s soul, and the reward is a working economy. Sweden will have to adjust their cost/benefit accordingly.
It was one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. With all my heart, I hope it will go forward, lancing toward the future.
If you enjoyed sharing my experience, you are welcome to read my Journey recorded by clicking on the country you want to visit:
Initially published for Polyhedron on 9/5/2022
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