Originally Posted by HKI_Reporter

What do you think about the idea of having a wedding in Lapland? :cool:

i think, that's great : two people in love, and a lot of reindeers ;)

Hei!

Tänään olin kotona vain koko päivä, mutta neljän illalla jälkeen menin Helsingin kirjastoon tavata Henna ja Outi siellä. Sen jälkeen menimme rautatieasemalle koska halusin osta junalipput Tampereelle. Sitten menimme Kampiin jossa söimme jäätelöä. Menin kotiin Outin kanssa ja Ilari tuli sinne yheksän jälkeen, ja sitten menimme busilla baarin Helsingin keskustassa. käymme heavy corneriin taas. Mutta siellä se oli aika tylsä. Niin käymme sitten Dark Side:iin ja siellä doorman sanoi että olimme aika nuori olla Dark Side:ssä. Mutta ei ollut ihminen, no hän sanoi että se oli okei jos juosimme siellä.

This morning we ate breakfast in the hotel room (well the residence's small apartment). It was good, just as usual, coffee, tea, karjalanpiirakka, ruisleipä, juusto, milk, and all. We got back on the road, heading back home, in Helsinki. We stopped in the Mikkeli area to this small farm where there was a small store my mom would have loved to visit, with gardening stuff, home decoration and some goodies to eat. We ate in a small buffet and arrive in Helsinki around 17h30. Olja, one of Outi's friend, called her to ask if we could go out this evening to a bar.
So we went there in the evening, in the bar heavy corner. It's a metal karaoke bar, and it was quite awesome. We met soo many people there, and I can't even recall all the names (of course, drinking probably didn't help the cause). There was Marko who kept flirting with me, and his brother Sampo. (Sampo is actually a mystical object in the epic Kalevala). It made me laugh that some guys would approach me and pay me drinks and talk to me in finnish. I could fallow up, but it's always hard to talk as fast. There was also a guy from Lapland, Emppu, and Antti, whom we met when we were leaving the bar. Emppu kept calling me my darling. It was odd a bit!
Sampo was too drunk and kept flirting with pretty much everyone in the bar. And Olja ended up leaving the bar in an ambulance, because she took some medication and alcohol at the same time.

and on top of that, the last bus never showed up at Rautatieasema, so we had to take a taksi back home. 27.45€ ¬_¬

yet it was a fun night!

I'm sorry I haven't been active lately. I'm pretty much busy with school, work, and dealing with stress and depression. (Don't worry, I'm not too depressed to the point of having suicidal thoughts, at least!

I know I haven't updated these, but I think this travel blog need an end, doesn't it??
anyway, enjoy reading!



This morning, I got up at 7h30 to get ready for our trip to Savonlinna. We went to the opera festival, to see the rigoletto representation. Rigoletto is inspired by a book Victor Hugo, a french author, wrote. It's called "le roi s'amuse" (the king is having fun, is being amused). We were supposed to leave at 9, but as usual, Outi (my host sister), wasn't ready on time! :rolleyes: It's a bit annoying, in the end! But it's okay! The trip in the car was quite long! We stopped in Mikkeli to lunch in a McDonald (as if we didn't have them back home! :P)(And yes, they have McDonalds in Finland, as well as Subways). After lunch, we went back on the road. We walked around a bit in Savonlinna, once we got there. We went to an open market, where we ate those traditionnal karelian patry (not the karjalanpiirakka, but the sweet one). We visited the castle in which the show in the evening would be held, as well as the backstage. It was quite impressive. Olavinlinna (the castle) was really breathtaking. We ate dinner at Mimosa café, and it was gooood! I ate some tortellinis with a sauce rosé, with smoked salmon on it. Opera isn't really my thing, but I'm still glad I got to see that show. It's a once in a lifetime experience, and I won't forget it. We slept in a residence of the University of Savonlinna, about 15 minutes walk from Olavinlinna. And the bed is quite comfy!

öitä!

Today, we have been to the flea market in Helsinki (Valtteri - Vallilan makasiinit). We have rented one table for 26 EUR and sold almost all of our stuff. As you can see from the picture below there are almost more people than in the city center :D





And a link:
http://www.kirpputori.com/valtteri

Today, 5.11.2009 we had our first Snow Storm in Helsinki as you can see here:

I believe that most people who decide to move and take up residence abroad and this includes myself,go through what can only be described as a cultural shock.Some people feel that they can adjust quickly,others may take some more time.

With regards to my own personal experiences,I found looking back on the early years,that there were definite stages of change with in myself and coming to terms with living abroad and a new country,culture,customs and language.

* Tuorist or Honeymoon period
* Cultural,customs,language shock
* Settling down and adjusting to a new lifestyle
* Anger at being isolated
* Finally coming to accept and begin integrating in to the new society

Tuorist or Honeymoon Period

When I first arrived in my destined for country,Finland.Everything was taken as though I was only on a holiday.Everything was extremely exciting and at times I would feel, much as Peter pan felt in those classic childhood books.There just was not enough time in the day to explore,everything I wished to explore

The excitement of trying new foods,discovering a new city and being amongst a language that I had absolutely no knowledge of,was adrenelin pumping and very addictive.But unlike a tourist you are not returning home.I had the constant feeling that a dream had come to fruition.It really resembles getting married for the very first time,the excitement of getting there and the adventure lying ahead of you can be over powering in it self
The culture,customs,language shock period

I found, that after the initial euphoric almost, state of my thinking,which lasted for some 3 months,I became aware of the very different culture surrounding me.I constantly had the feeling of not being able to be totally independent.I could not simply phone to the authorities/doctors and generally getting about without having to rely on my wife or if not around,asking strangers if they spoke any English,was to become a reguler habit

I felt very much as a child at times and I didn`t like it, one bit.I felt at times that my freedom had been taken away from me.I had no work for the first 3 months,so any savings I had were being eaten away at an alarming rate.I believe that was the only time when I thought,things are not good.

I was fortunate to get work in a really nice but noisy night bar as a waiter,situated iin the center of Helsinki.It was to change the way I felt drastically.I not only was earning an income,but more importantly,I was getting to know some local Finnish people.I have friendships with those very same people today,21 years later.They taught me enough Finnish language to perform my job and showed me a little bit more of the Finnish Lifestyle.

For the first 8 months,I was working in downtown Helsinki.After work,0200,we would all go for a drink at a late bar and return to one of my co-workers home to bathe in a Finnish Sauna and continue partying.I was rarely to get home before 0600.It has been many years now,but I owe my Finnish friends a big debt of gratitude
Settling down and adjusting to a new lifestyle

After the initial shock,I began to find my own way.I was more confident moving around the city.I spoke a smattering of the pigeon Finnish Language.Well,I could ask for simple things in Finnish.My job was both invigorating and allowed me to get to know more Finnish People.I used to frequent a local bar with my wife,Pub Angleterre.It was and still is a local hang out for British Expatriates living in Finland.However after 2 years,I just got fed up listening to some constantly blaming Finland for thier problems and woes.At one point I just said”If it is so F`ìn bad here,go back home”I do not know if they took the advice,as I now prefer to mix with the Finns.

The lifestyle in Helsinki/Finland is a lot slower than in London.It took me some years to slow down and to come to terms with the fact that I was the one who had to change,not the country and it`s people.London is a go,go.go. society,Finland as a whole and the people of Finland tend to have a more,We can wait attitude.Manjana is the closest I can define it.I have met friends and spent several hours going to the shop for bread!
Anger at being isolated

After adjusting to a new lifestyle in a new country,all I can say is that I began having dough-ts.I became very angry at myself and others.Questions in my mind included,”Am I really in the right country”,”Why cant I get the authorities to understand my English”.”Where can I get decent British food”.

I became obsessed with keeping something British around me.Everything and everyone else was to become the focal point of my intense dislikes-The libaries didn`t have good English books,the weather was cold and the food rubbish.How my wife put up with my constant complaining is still to this day a wonder.I became angry because I could not learn the Finnish Language,while at the same time my wife who speaks 8 languages ,was saying that it is easy to learn.

This time had to be my darkest period.The more I tried to get out from the chains,the tighter they would become.Alcohol began to play a larger part in my life.It was to drown out feelings that I should have just gone through and experienced.I would have come to a period of acceptance much more quickly.One day I was going home,the next I was staying.This put an immense strain on my new Finnish Wife and myself.The bright eye`s I once had became dull and the sparkle had disappeared fro them.I felt very isolated at times,even when my wife was present
Out of the blue and final acceptance

In it`s easiest way,I stopped making comparisons between the two countries and sunk myself into the Finnish Society.I gave up trying to change the host country and people.I learnt to stop looking at the facade of the local people and rather began to see and understand them as people with emotions and feelings like myself.

You can only see what you know and people from different cultural backgrounds may perceive the same event in differing way`s

I ave now been living in Finland for 21 years.My stay here has had many up`s and down`s,trials and tribulations.Through it all,I know that this is my home and life as Expatriate could be worse. I would not give it up lightly.

Hyvää Suomi.http://www.nectareal.com/are-you-ready-to-live-abroad

I was lying awake in bed the other night,it was 0230.I was enjoying the silence of the city of Helsinki.This was at what the British term “Pub kicking out time”.I was listening to the night birds(feather variety)chirping and passing messages,what ever they do.I did not hear any cars or voices,apart from the local Night Bus Service,hourly.There was true silence.Only the rustle of the tree leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional movement of a wild animal.There was no shouting or screaming from drunken homeward bound late night drinkers.

It was a place and time unto itself.In the morning I funnily enough received by email,a report.It was entitled “Luxembourg the worlds safest city”
Helsinki second safest city in The World

In the anual 215 city survey,conducted by human resources consulting company Mercer.Helsinki,Finland came joint second place with Geneva,Zurich and Bern(Last three in Switzerland)Pointers that had a big influence on these rankings,included:Politically stable countries with good international ralations and sustainable economic growth and Personal safety and security.

I for one find some confirmation of what I already have seen and believed for a long time.The city is kept spotlesly clean,the Helsinki Public Transport runs predictably and on time.The Helsinki City Police keep a low profile while maintaining safety for inhabitants and visitors to The City(This applies equally well throughout the country)The Health care system is,I believe second to none and the Finns are helpful in a second/third language(English) and polite.

There are of course safety measures that are wise to take where ever you may be travelling.A list follows:
Safety when travelling abroad

* Do not keep large amounts of cash with you and aim to conceal money in public.
* You do not need your travel documents while visiting Helsinki. Leave passports, air transportation tickets and cruise documents in the safety deposit box of your Hotel accommodation.
* Be vigilant in crowded places where tourists tend to congregate. Metro stations, open-air terraces and lines to enter museums or eateries can be attractive locations for pickpockets.
* The Kaisaniemi park behind the main Railway Station, as well as the area of Kallio and Sörnäinen (northeast from the center, after the Pitkäsilta bridge), are probably best avoided at night.Kaisaniemen Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Helsinki in the day times.So do not miss it!
* Helsinki has deep bedrock, so when there is new construction happening you may hear occasional explosions due to the use of dynamite. Don’t worry. The builders know what they’re doing and pose no danger to anyone.

As it is now July,a vast amount of the cities population have gone to their Country Cottages.Many commercial buisnesses are shut or running on a skelaton staff.Shops,Restaurantsand public services run as normal.The Tall Ships Race begins in Turku,Finland at the end of this month.This to me as a British Expatriate,is what makes Finland so special a place to live or visit.

Combining all these factors,I am not surprised in the least, that The City of Helsinki has earned it`s second position in the list of the Worlds safest Cities.For regular Finland Information,follow my site

Today, I have been to the World Village Festival in Helsinki and I think the main reason people going there is because of the variety of food you can find there e.g. Chinese, Indonesian, Cameroon, Turkish, Indian and many more.

However, this year the weather was really great. It was sunny and we had 19 C (ok if you are from a southern Country then this is not that much but for Finland it is great).

The festival is also a great opportunity if you like to find accessoirs for your outfit. You can find necklaces, rings, clothes etc. from different places in the world.

Here is a list of webcams in Finland:

Helsinki
Helsinki Harbour (with view on Kauppatori and Uspenski Cathedral)
Helsinki Harbour with view towards Suomenlinna

Levi
http://www.tiehallinto.fi/alk/kelika...kamera-LO.html

Lapua
http://www.media-wolf.com/webcam.htm

Lappeenranta
http://personal.inet.fi/koti/pyyworld/koe2.html

Vaasa
http://www.vaasa.fi/webcam