Liam goes fishing

My nephews Andrea and Oliver took Liam and I fishing.  This was Liam's first fishing trip...We got to go out on an old wooden boat, that has been in the family for many decades.  It is really neat to get off the island, even though we don't really go anywhere...change of scenery is really nice.




Liam and Andrea

Oliver

We hadn't anticipated Liam going on the trip, but because of his inability to adjust to jet lag... Still... he was up at 5:30 when we left.

It is understandable that the boy still hasn't adapted...its daylight out until 12:30 and the sun comes up at like 3:00... I have seen both of these events many times on this trip...LIAM!!!

That much day light has its advantages as well.  The ability to sleep in until 11:00 and still have plenty of time to do everything you wanted to do that day.  For me that includes a nap and some resting bouts, some movie watching, maybe some reading before napping again and then lunch...hey I'm on vacation.

Liam was so intrigued by the whole situation, it was so wonderful to experience, 

We trolled for fish, using two long lines with different weights and about four lures on each.  Fishing, not being the most exciting activity for 99% of the time, became even less involved.  This time continually moved, dragging our lines behind us.  It was basically a three hour tour,  is sit, wait and enjoy the day.


Liam at the sight of a fish

Fishing is one of the major draws of this island for me.  I find it relaxing to be on the water.  With the added benefit of possible getting a meal out of the deal, makes it that much better.  I am not an expert fisherman, or even all that good at fishing. For me it is just put something on the hook, fish might like to eat (I would probably also eat most of what is on the hook too...that will be explained later), drop the line in the water and wait...what ever happen by and takes the bait is dinner.  

Liam with Fish in the tank

Here in Sweden people love mackerel. When ever a mackerel is landed, there is a great cheer that erupts....MACKEREL!  And with out a break, there is a recall of how many, this one makes.  At home, (or at least in Los Angeles where most of my ocean fishing has occurred) mackerel is a bait fish. When landed, mackerel are usually cut up and used to catch other fish.  It was a bit of a paradigm shift for me when I first started coming here, but now it is just a part of life. 

Culture shock appears in many ways and can be sparked by many different things.  Food for me was and is part of the cultural adjustment I need to make every time I come.  I love eating, I love food and I love cooking for anyone who will eat my food.  Problem is that  food here is different.   If there was a culturally sensitive way to say the food is bland, that is what I would say.   I like my food with a bite, some spice, chilies, curry, some this that make you feel the food in places other than your mouth,,, that sounded weird.   Cook here is tough, not only do I not have my usual cooking tools,  I don't have all the flavors that I normally like to paint my food with.  The best I normally can do, with out going to far out of the way is salt, pepper, maybe onion and garlic.  I'm not saying that I don't like the local tastes, they actually are very "comforting."  But after the first couple of days something different is always nice. 

As far as culture shock goes, things could be worse...and the fact that I know what to expect helps even more.   Guess after coming here over the past 12 years I've become very familiar with life on the island.   Now if I can only get off this island and go somewhere else.



Liam contemplating life in other places in Sweden