Random Helsinki.

Lisbon before Covid-19 

Lisbon! 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain

15 years ago since one of the biggest success story of Finnish music was released :) #nostalgia #helsinki

I’ve visited the Belém, the famous and historical district of Lisbon plenty of times but never entered the monuments which the tourists line up for hours. Here are some shots from the Monument of Discovery and the Jerónimos Monastery. 

As excited I was year ago to book my flight to Canada... I am now even more sad to book my flight back home. July 28th.

Canadian Photographer Captures Wanderlust In Magnificent Landscapes

Elizabeth Gadd is a self-taught 21-year-old photographer from Vancouver, Canada. Her signature style is to photograph wanderers and adventurers in magnificent landscapes. Having been raised in scenic surroundings with mountains, forests and fields, she loves to wander and explore.

A smile, in return to a smile

So I’ve been here for almost three weeks now. There’s been quite a range of different kind of emotions you go through when you move abroad. There’s been times when I’ve seriously doubted myself and all of this me being here- thing but after all, at the end of the day I do enjoy it all and I’m so glad I came. The stories I hear from other newcomers who’ve lived here now for months or even for years inspire me. Also the little moments of success of my own; when I get by in a café, groceries' or in a bank in French, encourage me. 

The passed few weeks I’ve just been on holiday really. Mainly also because of the weather which has been very hot and sunny. Rainy days basically zero so far. I've just been learning my way around here, what’s the closest grocery store or the best coffee or whatever. Preparing some practical things as well like getting a bank account and canadian number. But in this week I’m gonna start going to the gym again and most of all, looking for the job.  Let’s see how that’s gonna turn out..

So far no homesickness. Or I do miss certain things which I can’t find in here. I don’t know how sad/terribul/weird it is that those things are all food related :D I would sell my soul for Devil’s Jam right now or for the large finnish section of ice creams in the groceries back home. I’m really starting to realize that Finns might actually be the biggest consumers of ice cream in the world. Though I have to admit that Canadians have bigger ice cream jars (2L). Surprisingly the strawberry has become my favourite!

I do miss knowing everything. Where to get different stuff from or how to do things. Now I have to ask for help or just do things over and over again untill I get them right, find what I was looking for. But now I’m starting to get a hang of things here. Having an Internet connection helps tremendously to stay in touch with friends and family back home, sometimes I feel like I never left – I seriously don’t know how people coped before!

(Olympic Stadium, Montréal - notice the Finnish flag there up front!)

I’ve done a bit travelling as well. My first and one of the many trips here in Canada was to the capital itself, Ottawa. Bilingual, quite small, only 800 000 people living there but so british and clean! Huge amount of museums which I managed to visit only in one, Canadian museum of civilization. Btw loved the river being the border of two provinces, Ontario and Québec.  

(Where you can cross borders by crossing the bridge in Ottawa)

I do love this neighbourhood I’m living in. I’m so grateful that I found a room in this particular area. It’s full of restaurants, cafés, shops, parcs nearby, everything you need really. Small town of its own. Lots of immigrants here, you can hear so many languages.. The closest metro station is at 15min walking distance and there are plenty of bus connections as well. Even during the night. The best bagels in the city are just around the corner.

Financially cannot do much saving here. Apart from the rent of my room. Living is more expensive than in Spain for sure but not more than in Finland. There are positive surprises though, meat is cheaper here clearly. And I love the selection of cheeses, thanks to the French cuisine. I’m loving how local based most of the products are here.

What I love the most about living in this city is that there is always something happening, somewhere.The same diversity can be seen in the city itself and the people who live here. I’d like to triple myself to be able to attend to all the events, activities I’d like to see. The most happening day of the week seems to be Sunday. Tam Tam's, Piknic Elektronik, Pride etc.. 

There’s always a party going on in some part of the city. Every new day is a mystery. You don’t know what you’re gonna do and who you’re gonna meet. I've met some Québecois, some Canadians and some international people like myself. Some might stay in my life a bit for longer and others maybe not but I still enjoyed the time when their paths crossed mine. This is the best of travelling! 

(Piknic Elektronik, Sunday afternoon: waaay much better than any friday night out!) 

Getting to know my new home... 

Sintra vol 2!