Saturday, April 26, 2008

MIELIHÄIRIÖ


- Istun Lutakossa, juon mansikkasiideria, en ole koskaan maistanut mansikkasiideria, se maistuu oudolta.
- Tahdon kirjoittaa jotakin kaunista. Tahtoessani tiedän, että se tuli on jo hävinnyt, kun aloitan kirjoittamisen.
- Olen humalassa, en jaksa enää ja en puhu totta.
- Menin Lutakkoon kuunnellakseni Rytmihäiriötä.
- Menin Lutakkoon rautatieaseman kautta. Juuri silloin saapui juna Turusta.
- Jos näet hänet, niin kerro hänelle minun kuulleen kaikki ne bändit, joista hän oli kertonut mulle kauan sitten.
- Kuulin myös ne bändit, joista silloin hän ei ollut kertonut. Luullakseni hänkin näki ne liveinä.
Ja:
- Olen alkanut kuunnella hardcorea hänen vuoksi.
- En todellakaan ole alkanut kuunnella hardcorea vain hänen vuoksi, olen aina tykännyt siitä.
- Mulla on ollut päänsärkyjä jo pari viikkoa.
- Mulla on ollut jotakin sellaista kuin masennus, ja se on ärsyttävä.
- Näyttää siltä, että ihmisten on helppoa unohtaa.
Ja:
- Olen lihonut.
- Olen iloinen kasvissyöänä.
- Mulle kuuluu ihan hyvää.
Ja:
- En toivo enää.
- En toivo mitään enää.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

STOCKHOLM VIEWS


Morjens! Some time has passed without any new word from me. There was some work, some exams, a bit of sleepiness, slight depression - and there was also one trip. It seems Cinnamon Book is opening a whole serious on Nordic capitals; there is at least one city that will follow the previous booklet about Helsinki. Last weekend, thus meaning from Thursday 17th of April to Monday 20th of April, I traveled to Sweden. My one and only Swedish destination was the capital Stockholm.

First of all, how it started. On Thursday evening our group of students arrived to Turku. As I have some memories connected with that city, I have neither planned nor expected to appear in the place again. At least the castle was still there, still lurking above the harbour, so gloomy and solemn as the whole Turku can sometimes feel like. Anyway, the city had turned into my gateway to Sweden. There was big ferry waiting for us, or better, we had to wait for the ferry about an hour - and finally, off we sailed!

The experience on the ferry was amusing, there and back again. On the way to Sweden we were lucky enough to get some good and fancy cabins. Again, as with my Estonian experience, people invaded Tax Free Shop, providing themselves with cheaper amount of alcohol. For me, it was more interesting to sleep on the sailing ferry. At one point the ship also stopped in Ahvenanmaa (Åland); I cannot say when as I was sleeping and none of us did not even realise the fact. Finally, at about six in the morning, we were kindly woken by the ferry staff - and there was Sweden, waiting to greet us.


Friday started with sunny weather and a long walk from the harbour to our hostel, which was conveniently located in Gamla Stan, The Old Town. Such a shiny spring. The day continued with walking around the city.The weather was so nice, sunny and warm that I decided to walk around, take pictures and try to enjoy the big capital feeling for the rest of the trip as well. Nevertheless, slightly cloudy Saturday was dedicated to walking already before my decision. There was a guided tour around the centre, which became handy as I would not be able to discover some spots by myself. Magnificent buildings, parks turning green, blooming cheery trees.




Later on, I took my time to check out the main shopping district more carefully. The experience of Swedish commercialism was the most strongest impression of the trip. So many things. So much choice - even too much. Hard to explain, but those big shopping malls, in generally called Gallerian, confused me slightly. I like shopping, sometimes, but not if I am confronted with such a mass of products. From the cheapest brands, of course underlined with an infinite number of local H&M's, all the way to fancy high-class items. Well-fare society by all means, or at least so it seemed. Too much goods to choose just everywhere. Highly developed commercialism that creates instant happiness - and I guess also emptiness, and boredom. Hard to explain again. I am not sure if I am done for such a world; I hate myself turning commercial, but it happens.


Last day of our staying in Stockholm occurred. Sunday, clear sky, sunny and warm. I decided to check out at least one museum. My way did not lead to those the most famous ones Stockholm can offer to an eager tourist: I had chosen Strindbergsmuseet, Strindberg's Museum. August Strindberg is perhaps the most famous Swedish playwright; being a dramaturg, I have liked his works a lot. The museum shows his apartment with the atmosphere as Strindberg would still live there, just being out for a while to get some sunlight. Interesting and something to remember.

After this cultural event, some more walking and taking pictures followed... until the time when we had to reach the harbour and, after some confusion, also our ferry. Next morning, Turku was gloomily grinning again... but nevertheless, we were safely back to Finland.


What can I finally say after this short visit of Stockholm? Only this - yes, it was far too short, too busy and a bit too anxious. I cannot just run from one museum to another, with no time to enjoy my life properly. Some impressions about the capital of Scandinavia, about Swedish history, and also about joys of highly developed commercialism have emerged. I do not feel I would belong to big cities, I have never liked them. So many people rushing everywhere, so many tourists, crazy and crowded. However, as Finland, Sweden also seems to be proud on the moose. Fluffy moose-souvenirs were actually the same as here, just the flag on them was different. Vikings are everywhere as well; we don't have them in Finland, since we have Kalevala, but they were similar to those I saw in Iceland. And it was really worth trying some of Swedish sweets.


All in all, I would like to visit Stockholm and, even more, Sweden again. I did not even experience that proper Sweden, with its countryside landscapes. But finally and after this short experience, I still feel I am culturally closer to Finland.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

BACK TO HELSINKI


Classical touristical photo I could sell as a postcard :)


After two years and many changes, I visited Helsinki again.
The decision for the trip came with one opportunity at my university, and it was done very fast. Since I have been living in Finland, for some reasons I have never found time to see the capital; until Friday the 4th of April. The last time I saw the city was at the end of August 2006, just before I caught the train for Turku. However, yesterday, I got back to Helsinki.

The day was so sunny and so warm. It seemed just perfect; more than perfect if considering slowly melting snow in JKL. Spring reaches Helsinki sooner. Thus, I spent the whole day walking around the centre. I recalled my summer school, the people and our ways we had in Helsinki. Since my last stay, the city has not changed much. I remembered everything well, all the streets and important locations I wanted to see again.

I just enjoyed lively capital with rhythm so different than my home JKL, broad streets, people rushing here and there. I know still how one can get fed up with this city-feeling. When living in Helsinki for
a month, I could not stand the city at one point anymore, and therefore I was escaping from it to Suomenlinna. For me, Helsinki is the city one starts to miss after some time; but too much of it affects the one like all other drugs. Still, as a day trip, the difference between calm provincial town and rushy capital felt pleasant.

My mood has been changing a lot during last months. Periods of low spirits can strike me at any time, and I am feeling constant unease as I don't know how long my better mood would last. Yesterday was one of those days I really felt I have to enjoy my fine temper. So, I was just walking in that early spring, enjoying my first outdoor ice-cream this year. It was the very same place I bought the ice-cream from, and the very same kaneli-omena jäätelö, cinnamon-apple ice-cream, I got to know during that summer in Helsinki; partly inspired with particular ice-cream, Cinnamon book has been given its name. Back then I also wrote kaneli-omena is how Helsinki taste for me. Finally, I can conclude the city still taste good.



Helsingin Yliopisto - The University of Helsinki



Esplanaati and greenish grass

In the harbour

Aleksis Kivi and National Theatre

Spring