Hey everyone!
Well, it’s been almost a week since we left for Finland. Already there have been so many great memories, interesting (and yes, stressful!) experiences and some amazing moments.
Take Off
Monday morning at about 1 A.M., myself and my two travel buddies, Blake Renner (who is also writing a pretty immaculately descriptive travel blog at presentlynotpresent.blogspot.com) and Caden George made our way to the airport in Salt Lake City. I’ve known these two for approximately a year. Blake and I met through his cousin, who was my roomate. Eventually, Blake also moved in. Caden was a friend of the two who I came to know on our debaucheries together. Since in my last post I failed to mention exactly what our plan is, here goes:
We are tentatively planning on landing in Finland, where we will spend about 10 days, then taking a ferry to Stockholm. Then make our way down to Berlin, through to Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, London, Glasgow, and Ireland. From there we will fly to Milan and take a tour of Italy. From Rome, we will fly to Madrid where, after a few days, my friends will return home (having spent about two months abroad at this point). From there, I will travel around the country I was born and take my sweet time visiting places I’ve always wanted to see and visiting family. I’ll spend quite some time in Spain before heading back up north, stopping at Cologne, Germany and then finally looping back up to Finland where I will stay for a while longer. Like I said this plan is tentative to change for any reason and at any time, and I like that about it. Who knows, maybe I’ll just stay (it would be easy considering I’m a citizen of the European Union…). I think that thought adds a little bit more adventure and intensity to the trip which I really like having in the back of my mind.
Anyway, we got to the airport around 2 A.M., and found it completely deserted. We didn’t have to board our flight until 6 A.M. so we decided that we would relax and sleep (neither actually happened). Once it came time, we went through security, took a few pictures and boarded our flight. I’ve flown out of Utah several times, and each time it’s seriously just beautiful. The way the plane rises over the snowy mountains is simply breathtaking. Before I realized it I was asleep and we had landed in Chicago.
Our 10 hour layover in Chicago meant that we had some time to explore the city, so we took the train to downtown and explored. Chicago was a really edgy city that I really liked (at least what I saw). We were hungry, and the first thing we could think of eating was some real Chicago-style pizza. We punched it into our phones and headed towards the closest pizzeria, which ended up being Lou Malnati’s. Oh. My. Now I love pizza, but this deep dish stuff was out of this world. I would highly recommend anyone who passes through Chicago to check out that little restaurant. Top, top notch stuff.
On our way back to the train, it started to pour. We got seriously wet, but we were enjoying ourselves. It really didn’t bother me. As we passed countless people who were scurrying to get away from the downpour, I couldn’t help but tell myself to enjoy the moment. So often we see things like rain as “inconveniences” when we are trying to get things done. At that moment I thought about how amazing the rain is. I thought about how God maybe looks down on us and says something like, “Oh, is the fact that I am watering your Earth and basically providing you all hope of sustenance and survival an inconvenience and a nuisance to you? I am so, so sorry!” I promised myself that I would enjoy whatever moment I would find myself in from then on.
Well, we made it to our second flight and after a nine hour nap we woke up in Helsinki. The airport is quite small, and it was easy to find all of our luggage. After a quick bus ride into town, we met up with a girl I know there named Elina. She was kind enough to show us around the city and put up with our immature antics and horseplay. We walked around the town and marveled at the fact that we were finally here. We made it!
First Lesson
After visiting a few of the most prominent features of the city (a couple of cathedrals which are simply stunning) we cut our visit to Helsinki way too short and headed to the bus station to catch a ride to Tampere, where my grandma lives and would be waiting for us to stay there for the next week. We missed our first bus at 9:00 P.M., but we didn’t think much of it and waiting for the bus at 11:00 P.M.
Now, I knew where my grandma lived in the city, I had looked at it on the map a million times, and I thought I knew where we needed to get off the bus. So, after the hour or so drive up to Helsinki, we got to a stop I assumed would be before the stop we should take. I pushed the “stop” button and grabbed my things. But, the bus kept going. And going. And turned down the street. And crossed a bridge. And got back on the freeway. And passed the next town.
I told Blake about my mistake, and he informed Caden that we passed our stop and had no idea where we were going. By now it was past 1:00 A.M. and my grandma was probably watching for us at her window. I didn’t know what to do. I felt extremely stupid and started stressing about how much money it would cost to make the return (night buses are famously more expensive), how I would contact my grandma, how we would know how to make it back in the first place, and so on. Admittedly, I started beating myself up and losing patience quickly. So much for the lesson I learned in Chicago! I chose to just stare out the window and ride this stupid bus to the edge of the Earth.
Luckily, we met an amazing woman who went out of her way to help us out. Blake turned to the lady behind us and explained our situation. Since most everyone hear speaks English, she was able to understand and take action immediately. She gave me a charger so that I could charge my dead phone, to begin with. Then, she went and talked to the bus driver. Her name was Eija. She was so sweet and kind as she called my grandma and explained the situation, then told us that the bus driver would coordinate with another bus coming back down the same way, and that we would meet them at the next town. Even after everything had been arranged, she continued to keep us company and joke with us. She lives in Germany and is currently chasing her dream of being a stand up comedian. Although I was incredibly grouchy, I couldn’t believe how kind she was. Before we knew it, we were at the stop where the change would be made (In Parkano, only 100 miles past our original destination LOLZ AT YOUR BOY) and we said goodbye to Eija and boarded the southbound bus. Eija, I know you’re reading this, so THANK YOU for your kindness, help and love. It was a life changing experience, for sure, and I plan on paying it forward.
Tampere
Well, we finally got to my grandma’s apartment in Tampere around 6:30 A.M., where she was waiting for us with homemade breakfast (meat filled scones called lihapiIrakka and my favorite sweet rolls called pulla). Then we hit the sack and slept most of the day.
These past few days have been spent trying to get used to the jet lag, which isn’t helped by the fact that the sun never sets here during the summer. It touches the horizon and gets darkest between midnight and 2:00 A.M. but other than that, it is pretty dang bright outside all the time. Usually once or twice a day, we will make the thirty minute walk into downtown Tampere, to the square called Keskustori and explore or grab a bite to eat. It’s a beautiful city, built next to a huge lake. It’s been fun relaxing, getting to know the culture and just walking around.
Midsummer’s Eve
On the night of Friday the 19th, Finns celebrated Midsummer’s Eve. It’s a celebration of the longest day of the year, which with the sun out all night, definitely classifies as a very, very long day. We were invited to the family summer cabin a little ways north of Tampere, which is on a beautiful lake. There, with my uncle Pepe and my cousin Petrus, his wife Sirpa, and their families, we ate, played music, and participated in the Finnish sauna tradition. After sitting in a naturally heated sauna completely naked, we ran out onto the dock and jumped into the lake, which was extremely cold. We did this over and over again, as we built up a resilience to the extreme temperatures. I can see how saunas would have a therapeutic aspect, as we sweat out impurities from our bodies and also rid ourselves of personal impurities as we engaged in enlightening conversation. Then, we dried off and met in the gazebo and played and sang songs to the sun on the horizon until the “night” finally called us to our beds.
This night was amazing for me because not only was I able to experience this holiday for the first time, but I was also able to connect with a great part of my family and receive their incredible love, acceptance, and kind hospitality. We were treated like kings and had one of the funnest nights any of us can remember. It was amazing to celebrate this holiday in honor of the all-providing light in the sky that lights our way and gives us all of the sustenance we need. All night, I couldn’t help but remember the quote by Albus Dumbledore, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.” I hope everyone reading this can remember to be happy and love life! We are already having the most amazing time! Until next time! Hyvä Juhannus!
We are so excited that you made it! Michael and I thoroughly enjoy reading this, coupled with the stories your mother tells me at work! Keep looking for those silver linings, even 100 miles from your original destination!
thank you for sharing your experiences! you definitely have a knack for writing, it is as entertaining as it is descriptive! I hope to read more of all of your experiences—and misadventures, such as the “extended” bus ride to grandma’s… That must have felt a bit unnerving! Luckily, there are helpful people around, so you can get your bearings again. Look forward to getting you guys here—call me so we can make arrangements!
I love your pictures and your stories. I am so glad you are having fun.