Culture in the Blender

This weekend, I was putting in some grad student time (which one might call overtime if one had a job) with a colleague and friend who is trying to have their thesis done in two weeks. Afterwards, we ended up going to fly a fish kite in an empty lot on a little hill surrounded by mostly trees. It was windy, of course, and with the wind came a flowery sweet smell that my friend recognized as honeysuckle. I had never seen one, but my friend not only pointed the bush out, he showed me how to drink the little drop of nectar in each flower. I know many nature tricks and small pleasures in the Nordic countries, but this is now one of the few I know here.It’s always a grounding experience to learn things “everyone” knows in your homes.  For me, not knowing plants and flowers around me makes me feel a little distant from the place. Knowing more about them is therefore a relief. Locals like my friend, who are willing to teach without judging the lack of knowledge or getting patronizing are wonderful stepping-stones further into a home. Without them, none of us would get into our homes very far.