Tour de Finland

I think it is time to update a bit. I have been in Finland for almost three months now which is a really long time! Sometimes it feels like university and a year in Aberystwyth is just a dream and this is the only reality. Four months of holiday is a very long time! It must be so weird going back to Wales in the end of the month, right now I can not even imagine it. However there is no reason to focus too much on future because this moment is what counts and we should not let it slip out of our hands but live in the moment and enjoy life! And that is exactly what I am doing and going to do.

For the past couple of months I have been working in Hamina which has been fairly interesting, sometimes challenging, other times amusing and silly. Maybe the best way to describe it is something like bouncing between routine and inspiration. I have learned and taught, laughed and worried, been exhausted and chilled. All in all, the different experiences and the lessons learned from this summer will surely carry me for a long time. Praise the Lord :)

The second of September I started  a/le tour de Finland, which is my own little/enormous mission tour in Finland and Norway. My tour started yesterday from South-East Finland and already I have had memorable and exciting times. So far the tour has been a success! Quoting my two friends, I was only "two and half days late" from what was the plan. This very well describes the texture of the trip: my plan becomes no plan on the way, and I take it as it comes. Of course a loose plan fits in disappointments and surprises but it also has a potential for excitement and freshness!

    2/9/2010 in the afternoon
On the way to my little brothers flat in Myllypuro I stopped by these artistic installation and for the first time I realized their potential in photography! I started taking funny pictures by them but then realized I was not the only one. A man in a wheelchair was also taking pictures by the metal squares and I found out he is a Russian photographer since 1984 (photographer since then) called Nikolay. He took this photo of me though I do not think he really like my Canon as he is used to some Russian cameras. We had a fairly interesting conversation but then I was already an hour late from somewhere I was supposed to be (plus two and half days) so I had to run inside and quickly eat some Makaronilaatikko à la mama.

2/9/2010 early evening

After running around (e.g., fetching a wallet that I forgot to take) I finally find my way to the center of Helsinki. Oh boy, Helsinki has really grown on me. I think the I <3 Helsinki campaign is for a reason, there is something charming about the city, at least after you get to know it a bit. To be honest the first two years I lived there I did not like it but now, well I would not mind moving back there (here) one day. 

2/9/2010 late evening

Finally I meet up with my two dear friends with whom I have so much to share, even a bit too much compared to the little time we had. I guess it is better that way, would be awful to sit a whole four hours with nothing to say just talk about the weather. 

Well now I am going to finish my lovely cup of tea (Clipper Indian Chai latte - nom nom) and go to bed. Let the excitement continue.. tomorrow. 

Love from Salla