Yesterday 6-10pm

Climate, Finns and changing

Finnish summer weather is a preferred topic in the headlines – no matter what turns: hot, warm, getting colder, the sun is out, behind a cloud, cold and windy, thunder in the air..

Last week was groundbreakingly warm. Having almost +30 degrees is a lot for May. The papers went crazy over the hot weather and so did people, the streets were full of life. Now the week started with drizzling rain and less than +10 degrees. The changes are visible.

I find it amazing to see how weather affects the general mood. It’s more of a guideline than an exception: when the sun is out, so are the people. I know that in most parts of Europe the same deal exists. However, when the weather goes on for a longer time, people tend to find it as a nuisance. Allergies get worse, plants dry up, you get sweaty just thinking of food.. or it’s too cold for this time of the year, people are wearing woolen socks and whining about freezing weather and constant rain when according to them it’s suppose to be sunny. The weather takes a hold of everything from traditional cuisine to acts of love, from common habits to bureaucracy, commonly preferred cloth-colours to the national sport. It affects moods, traditions, how the roads and houses are constructed etc. Seems that most of the people take 30-40 years to get used to the weather in their home country. Why?

Here are a few paragraphs freely translated from the blog of Aikamatkustaja, a counter migrant in Finland. You decide if it’s beside the point:

“It is fashionable to blame the immigrants about everything at the moment. Cultural differences and violence are things that were brought here by foreigners. Politicians could find the guilty from outer space easier than from their own parties. Cultural differences have always existed. Karelians, Savonians, Tavastians, people from Varsinais-Suomi and especially from Ostrobothnia have down the ages caused a respectable amount of quarrels, conflicts, silent treatment, crisis in marriages, open quarrels, drama in tutelages and knife fights. There was no foreigner needed either before.”

Read the whole text here (in finnish). There was also a group on Facebook telling the volcanic ashes to go back to Iceland. I would love to present it for joining purposes, but apparently it doesn’t exist anymore. So instead, make it fun and go dance with cultures from all over the world when they meet in the centre of Helsinki 29 and 30 May 2010.

Retaker

I retake language classes all the time. This time I started a Spanish class. That should be an ordinary no big deal. But for me the first round is just warming up to the idea of learning it.

Italian. Start studying – get bored – almost fail – wait for 3 years – realise there might be a chance for exchange in Italy – start studying enthusiasticly.

Spanish. Get an internship in Spain very suddenly – go there – try studying a little – nah, not interested – go back to Finland – travel to Gran Canaria – get suddenly enthusiastic of the language again.

This week I got terribly angry at someone for thinking they were judging me of my poor skills of Spanish. After all, I did spend 8 months in the country and I can only say a few sentences. The fact was that he was not judging me but the issue was inflammable for me. I’m not proud for being lazy but the fact is that I’m. When others learn the first time, I try learning at least two rounds. (Or three times like math in high school.) I still don’t get this tradition of pointing out others obvious failures. Language seems to be an easy target as well because does not seem as personal like many other subjects like weight for example or family.

I tell you two things: STOP THAT and – this lime-cheesecake is delicious!

Valentine’s day special

Suvi, Jaakko and I decided to do something special for Valentine’s day. But before I get to the special, let’s go to the Valentine. There’s a story behind that since in Finland the day is dedicated to friends more than lovers the day being ystävänpäivä (ystävä – friend, päivä – day). So doing something special for Valentine’s day in three doesn’t mean what you might be thinking of. Our choice included snow but no sauna.

The best slide and the highest peak in Helsinki is Malminkartanonhuippu. Only a quarter of an hour train ride away from Helsinki is the quite nice suburb called Malminkartano. After a kilometer walk from the station, you’ll arrive to the gorgeous view’s that also serve as an awesome slide. Sunday’s are definitely not lazy here.

It gives a wild ride down the hill especially if you make a queue out of those two seen in the last pictures and then put four people on board. Actually so wild that in the end one will end into the hospital with a strained ankle :) No worries, Suvi is just unfortunate, prone to accidents and recovering!

After the countless “this is so fun, we should do this more often” the supposed last slide led into 2 hours spent in the hospital and getting her ankle x-rayed and everything. Humour sticks through everything and in the end I have to say it was a fun friendsday that after the hospital gig lasted another 12 hours :)

London means money spending

We got free tickets to skating in Hyde Park from a random passer-by. 13,5 pounds for one ticket! The first time I skate this year… and in London.

Camden Town is my favourite part. It’s full of details.

London Eye at night, after the spectacular show of Stomp.

Tate Museum of Modern Art was packed, because outside was like this:

What comes to the New Years Eve and party. I have an advice, warning and a praise. Don’t drink vodka redbull! If there is more than 3 bottles of Jack Daniels in the house, be sure to find your host sleeping under the table. If you love electro, techno kind of music – go to the Egg. It’s an experience with it’s metal detectors, guards and people in a trance.

Autumn gone by

And all I’ve done is sit inside writing the Thesis.

Next week, I will have more stories to tell: Muse in Münich is waiting!

Fierce and dreamy put-in action

If you are sick of my ever around going wriggles about the future, skip this post.

I’m definitely one of those people who think about faith, destiny, the concept of the rest of your life, what the universe tells me to do and be. But as much as I think the much I also get voices of the universe mixed up. All seems to have a somewhat similar yet a lot different idea for what life should be.

Why am I thinking about all this? See I’ve been studying for most of my life. I started when I was 7 years old and now after non-stop student life I should step on the side of adults. Does my shoe size grow a few numbers bigger or a block anvil fall from the sky? It’s a changing point which needs its rites. Not a child, not a teenage, not even a semi-adult.. Soon I’ll be a big grown-up, who’ll fiercely put dreams in action. Though, none of those dreams really involve sitting in an office being delighted when the manager brings you another pile of paper to work around. I never thought I’m much of an entrepreneur neither but now I’m starting to think that when the government doesn’t back you up with the somewhat generous student loan, you have to be one (not a student loan but the entrepreneur).

It’s hard to go around the thoughts of where I should be and what I should be doing when the opinions around me differs from one end to another. Some say I should do exactly what I want and go wherever I want. Other say I should be reasonable, practical and dream less. My fierce yet practical and dreamy decision is to not decide. I’ll go where I’ll go and if even kicks and screams are effortless, I’ll do something else. I’m scared, thrilled and excited to see what comes up – and I can’t wait.

My mama told me today she heard someone smart (not that my mama ain’t smart) say life is a lot easier if you just let it lead you. I’ve heard others say that when you don’t make your efforts for decisions, it’s everyone else who do the work.

One thing I’m sure of, this rainy ass weather sucks – and next week I’m gonna stand up on my head every day.. maybe these issues I’m dealing with will have another perspective as well. And after all, it’s not that serious is it? The answer to all these questions change almost daily.

Green tea and jellyfish

Yes, there are many interesting places in the world. But if it’s green tea with jellyfish and you’re swimming in it, I’m not sure how thrilled I’d be.  If you again do fancy some action with million and millions of moon and golden jellyfish. This is your chance.

Jellyfish Lake or like the locals call it Ongeim’l Tketau is a marine lake on the Eil Malk island of Palau. The island is a part of the Rock Island which is a small group of rocky, mostly uninhabited islands. Jellyfish Lake being one of Palau’s most famous snorkling sites. The thing about it is… obviously the jellyfish.

The lake is connected to the ocean through coves and tunnels. But the lake is isolated enough so that the diversity of species has been greatly reduced from the nearby lagoon. Due to this, both species of jellyfish living in the lake have stinging cells but in general they are not powerful enough to cause harm to humans.

I think I’ll choose to wait on a Palauian desert island.

Yet another awesome travel code

“– Remember that there are not many “undiscovered” places left in the world. Focus on the places that are undiscovered to you and you won’t go wrong.

Obviously, each place you go to will offer unique challenges, but following this list will get you off to a good start.”

There are lots of codes and rules for travellers going around the world considering practical things and culture. A big amount of them might sound scary and I personally know many people who don’t want to go to certain countries because they have the image it is dangerous. Of course you have to be smart about it. However, the main thing is to be aware and ready for whatever might come on your way – or at least as ready as you could be.

There is a CNN program called AC360 which I have never seen. In it “Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news.” The program like every other nowadays has a blog, where lies a great thing from one of the contributors, Chris Guillebeau: 28 things I wish I knew before I started traveling.

“12. When you feel pressured beyond your comfort level by someone who tries to follow you, be polite but increasingly firm. Don’t string anyone along out of guilt—tell them you don’t want their help, and move on. If they keep following you, tell them to stop.

19. Like it or not, you have to be somewhat tolerant of smoking. There are lots of places in the world that haven’t picked up on the Western anti-smoking crusade. If this is hard for you to accept, you’ll likely be frustrated.

22. Don’t point your feet at people or touch anyone on the head. In several cultures, this is disrespectful or otherwise inappropriate.”

He also gives good tips from how all plane tickets are changeable no matter what is written on them – to politics, money exchange, byrochracy. Guillebeau has his own blog The Art of Non-Conformity. And as a side dish he will also teach you how to be awesome ;)

Mm, I didn’t have to tell you twice to go read it, did I? You went already didn’t you.. come back soon, ok?

Helsinki: Where it all began..

I met up with a friend today and we decided very randomly to go see the point where Helsinki was once founded. The day was absolutely beautiful for such an adventure.

Many old cities are very famous and touristy attractions but in Helsinki, the old parts are further up from the down town and because of that, often forgotten. It’s 6,5 kilometres from the center and easily reached with several buslines or the tram going to Arabia. It’s about 15 minutes ride.

The area is beautiful. There’s men fishing along the riverside and children playing or watching the action when one catches a fish. There’s also a cute little restaurant that looks like someone’s home when you go inside. The cosy wooden house area is worth a visit in any case.

After a little bit of searching and asking around we found the right track to the monument. The hill does have a nice view and many interesting details, such as this one. Someone had left a cross-trainer on one of the rocks. What a great way to train! You can watch down to the colourful area and cross-train away!

And finally on top of the hill: the history lays its hands on us. Here is the point where they say Helsinki was once founded. At the cross of the now Viikintie and Hämeentie.