My heart belongs in Dormont

I'm kind of lucky—or unlucky—depending on your own personal preference. I have a job that enables me to travel frequently and often internationally. I'm currently on assignment in Sweden and while you can imagine the cultural differences yourself, there are lots of things here that remind me of home.

This is my second stint in Sweden, the last was a year ago when I was loaned to this division of my company for three months in the beginning of 2010. Some things have evolved since then and the least of them is what I choose to pack and not pack. It's a quick learning curve in terms of adjusting to new dress codes and finding out just what will entertain you for weeks on end in a hotel room. I can't get American television here (right in the thick of season finale time, too!) and I can only spend so many nights combing the internet for interesting articles to explore. So, I find myself exploring the Swedish countryside when I can. I've taken up the pastime of "castle hunting" where I'll pick a road and ride it until I find the cursory "slott" or ''borg" that I know signifies lush mansions or ruined fortifications.

What I've learned, though, is that you know a place is home when you start looking for bits of it wherever you are. I see Potomac Avenue in the oldest parts of Norköpping. I reminisce about in the large green expanse just across the street from my office. I can't tell you how many times I've wished that there was a Swedish equivalent to the Sugar Cafe where I could set up my laptop, enjoy a good cup of coffee and pass a quiet Sunday morning while America is still asleep and the Swedes are enjoying family time. Sure the Korv (hot dog) might be cheaper here, I think I'd get some pretty strange looks if I asked them to make me a Connecticut version.

What would I bring back with me, though? I'd bring back a culture where walking is the norm. I believe that one of the reasons Dormont's business district has suffered is due to lack of parking. People would rather drive three blocks than put on their shoes sometimes. We have such an innately walkable community and yet so many just don't take advantage of it. Maybe instead of incentives like free parking businesses should consider a bike rack and incentives for using it instead?

With nine days left to go in my current assignment I've already started to think about the very first things I'll do when I return. Maybe I'll take my dog down to Dormont Dogs for a treat. Maybe I'll take a trip down to for their fantastic candles. I think I may even swing on by for a new read. All I know is it'll be great to be home in Dormont.