ANNA

During my stay here in Brazil I am renting an apartment through Airbnb. For those of you who have not tried it yet, I really really recommend you to do so next time you decide to go travelling. For me it is working out perfectly! The place was already fully equipped so there was no need for me to bring anything but my clothes and stuff for school across the Atlantic ocean. 

 

I took the pictures above during my walk to the grocery store. Here in Brazil poverty and wealth take turns of showing their faces thorugh abandoned buildings next to gated comunities, and women parking their Land Rovers in front of the man sleeping on the street. I think it is important to be exposed to this reality, especially as a swede, and realise that our country is the exception when it comes to matters of social security, equality and quality of life.

 

I talked to a man outside the grocery store today and he said to me: 

 

 

.. And I do try to always keep in mind that just because I was lucky enough to be born in the right country, does not mean that I automatically deserve all the benefits that comes with my nationality. Aside from the fact that I am paying my taxes, I have not done anything to deserve the enormous perks we recieve as Swedish citizens.

 

Living in Brazil as provided me with so many new perspectives. Most importantly it motivates me to make the best out of the oportunities that are given to me, and not stress the small flaws in life too much. Sweden is not paradise separated from the rest of the world, and social, political, environmental and economical problems will come and go. But just the fact that education is for free in Sweden is seriously enough to be grateful for for a lifetime.  

 

I do not really know where this speech came from, but I guess I am just in a very grateful mood this Saturday.