This summer we are arranging an international youth camp in Ulricehamn and the last two days we have had a pre camp to prepare for the invasion of 40 youths from Scottland, Norway, Latvia and Sweden. We have been planning different activities and workshop on the subjects concerning the European citizenship, social inclusion, cultural diversity and democracy and I think it will be a very dynamic and interesting camp in two weeks time. We were 8 people from the 4 countries who met up to make the preparations and it is interesting to see how diverse our own views on the subjects are and how many different perspectives there can be. Our Latvian friends brought up a problem in Latvia that I knew nothing about. They have different citizenships between Latvian and Russians all living in Latvia. The two citizenships does not give people the same rights but if I understood it correctly we are not talking about people considered to be illegally in the country. The Scottish mentioned the somewhat difficult situation between the English and the Scottish. What do we mean when we talk about a European citizenship and who should be included? Do we want to be Europeans and rather independent Scott’s for example? The camp is financed by the European Youth in Action program with the main goal to increase awareness and understanding between youths in Europe. I think a one-week camp like this is a great opportunity for young Europeans to meet up and experience the diversity of cultures.
Since our foreign guests had not been to Ulricehamn before we decided to show them around a bit and also to show them where different activities will take place. One of our workshop will take place at Torpa Stenhus, which is one of Sweden’s best-preserved Renaissance manors, with roots in the Middle Ages. I had never been to this place so I told Per (my Swedish colleague) that I would follow his car. Half the group joined me in my car and off we went. After 15 minutes I had lost track off Per but I had an idea where this place should be. After 40 minutes we stopped at a café to get help and two women gave me two different road descriptions (not in the same direction). I chose to go for the woman who sounded the surest of her self. One hour after leaving Ulricehamn and after several u-turns I had to admit defeat and as a last resort we stopped at a small supermarket where a friendly shop owner and a friendly shopper told us exactly how to get to Torpa Stenhus. As we an hour and a half after leaving Ulricehamn drove onto the parking at Torpa Stenhus, Per left with his group. Despite the long drive we had a lot of fun in the car though and the trip brought back memories about the Swedish shortcut.
My husband usually warns people travelling with me to be aware of the Swedish shortcut. When I first met Jochem we lived in Lund where I come from. I think I have quite a good sense of direction if I have been to a place before (no, it’s the truth!!). One night we were bicycling home and I told Jochem that I knew a shortcut. Well, basically we ended up in the outskirts of Lund and till this day I have no idea how I could make such a mistake. Jochem had only one comment; “no more Swedish shortcuts, please!”
Luckily we had time enough with the pre camp group to get all our work done and to enjoy Torpa and a bit of Ulricehamn. It was a fun group visiting here and I am sure the real camp in two weeks time will be lot of fun. I will be on holiday then but will be down to visit the group as I am planning a local holiday with my family and visiting friends. Maybe we will go to Torpa Stenhus?
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