An international encounter

Yesterday I spoke to a singel dad who survived Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and large part of towns along the Mississippi in the US on August 23 2005. At least 1836 people died this day and over 80% of the city was flooded. To speak to someone who was there with his two young daughters and who lost both family and friends make you realize what an easy life one has. Today they live here in Ulricehamn and are trying to create a new life - a steady normal life in a world that hopefully can make sense again some day.

On May 9th it is Europeday and I am currently arranging all the activities that will happen in Ulricehamn that day. The theme will be Ulricehamn in Europe and we will have a touring photo exhibition, serve international food in the city centre, inform about the cities international activities and have a website where people from Ulricehamn tell about their international encounters. I have interviewed a number of people for this website and it is really exciting to hear about what people have been up to and what role Ulricehamn has in their story. Some people grew up here, lived abroad and came back. Other happened to stop for an ice cream and fell in love with the place and stayed. Some are newcomers who could choose where to go in Sweden and who made a clear choice to settle here. Some stories are tragic and others unexpected but what brings them all together is Ulricehamn. The city has a different meaning to different people but somehow the city becomes the anchor for a lot of people. This is not a metropolitan and big city life is not to be found here but it is actually quite an international place after all.

Now I will get to work. Today I go to Göteborg to have a look at the new health directives from the EU and to see if we can cooperate with healthcare institutions outside Sweden. There is an interest to look at how things are done in the Netherlands so maybe you guys in the NL will hear from me soon! I also heard from my old school mate Pia that she met up with Andy in New York! If you reed this Andy - here is hug to you from me!
Take care everyone!