NEW YEAR, NEW TRIP

First of all, I should wish all dear friends and fellow bloggers HAPPY 2010! Lots of luck, love and such nice things. And for the bloggers only - lots of interesting posts! I might not be writing that regularly, but, believe me, I have become a constant and devoted reader of your writings.

A moose resting in Skansen - especially for Alcessa ;)

Again I spent Christmas here in Jyväskylä and it was really nice as we had so much snow. It is just perfect white winter, regardless -20 degrees Celsius; and it just keeps snowing. However, for the rest of the Christmas/New Year's holidays I got another chance to visit Sweden - the capital Stockholm, to be precise. My Slovenian friends had got some very cheap tickets from Klagenfurt, I had booked a ship from Turku harbor, and off we went.

Regardless the fact Sweden is just across the sea and Finland's neighbor, the actual trip from Jyväskylä to Stockholm takes much more than a flight from, for instance, Klagenfurt. 4 hours on a train to Turku, a whole night on the ship to Stockholm's harbor Tegelvikshamnen. I had a cabin on the ferry so at least I could sleep. I went to Stockholm once already, but that was with a group of exchange students. We had shitty cabins below the car deck and near the engine room; okay and good when one plans to drink all night and then sleep drunkenly for a few short hours. However, if the passenger wants to sleep as I do, and enjoy other things but drinking, then I would recommend a better cabin. Mine, for instance, had a window and so I was even able to see the shores of Åland during the night. Well, the reader must note that these big ferries sailing between Finland and Sweden are kind of big floating fun/drinking places, yet there are still some people that use the ship as a means of transport.

Runestone

And then Stockholm... this time, I stayed in the city much longer than during my first visit. Also, now I was in a cosy place with a bunch of friends. And yes, it was very cold, it was snowy and icy, we were sometimes walking too much and we were tired and our mood might had been bad sometimes, but still. It was time for visiting museums, for remnants of the Vikings, for runes carved in stones, for white squirrel with red eyes (a painting in Nationalmuseum). It was also time to see some modern art in Moderna Museet, like for example Dali, Warhol, Pollock and others. And it was also time to walk on the frozen Vallentuna lake in the sun while the snow was glittering all around.

Vallentuna lake

Finally, it was also time to do some shopping, but those details would destroy all the upper fairy tale. Anyway, I liked the city, regardless the winter cold and lots of tourists swarming in Gamla stan. Now when I am back to my everyday with the new Koirien Kalevala calendar for the year 2010 (the year in which I have to finish my MA thesis)... now I have realized that we had really some good time in Sweden and that also Stockholm can produce some special magic I am usually looking for when traveling to the cities abroad. Jep, it was nice.

P.S.: But Helsinki still has better metal bars! ;)

CLEVER

When traveling by plane, I am usually bothered with the fact one is not allowed to carry (to big) bottles of liquids in the hand luggage. As I do not drink alco, my only problem are cosmetic products. But even in the case of cosmetic, I do not posess loads of make-up or several face-creams; however, just the basic set of soaps and lotions can signify a nice addition to the weight of the luggage. For me, there would be always a maximum of 20 kg; and I am always trying to take less than the maximum.

Winter sales in Finland went all the way to 70% off the original price and thus it was easier to spend money on some additional and perhaps slightly silly thingies other than just clothes. Lately, however, my obsession would not be clothes but vegan and bio cosmetic products; well, this could be another post within too many times neglected Cinnamon Book.

There were winter sales that turned my attention to this clever set for traveling. It surely is all-in-all plastic and it probably has been made in one particular Asian country... but I don't care. When traveling, I do not plan to search for products in small bottles I would probably throw away after the trip, thus polluting the environment. One can fill these little bottels with liquids-already-at-home by her own choice; in my case, everything would be just products for using while taking a shower. Or a bath, whatever.

Btw, I guess I have already mentioned I had always liked foxes...

SUMMER UPDATES

Moi! So, what has Kaneli been doing all this time while her Cinnamonbook was resting? She was traveling around Finland, not alone, and it was a lot of fun. May the photos tell the rest - and the story is still TBA! ;)

Summer walk in JKL

Crossing the Arctic Circle

Visiting the real Santa Claus; eh well... but finally, he proved to be charismatic, despite all commercial shit.

Admiring Midnight Sun - sky over Lapland at 1:00 in the morning

From Lapland to Helsinki - having great time at Tuska Metal Festival 2008

Exploring Helsinki again - this time, the best was Korkeasaari, Helsinki Zoo

FLOGGING MOLLY

Where the silence you hear is the prosper we shared
The only blade is a razor sharp smile...

Flogging Molly: (No More)Paddy's Lament

The story of Flogging Molly and me started three years ago. It is connected with Nanbudo seminar in Spain, which also leads to my fascination with Finland. As I am no longer in touch with the one that introduced me to both, Finnish culture and Flogging Molly, I also cannot share the news with him, despite this time I would like to. Nothing special for Finnish audience that is given several excellent bands at least within one of their summer festivals, not to mention all the gigs during the year, however, for me, this was really a great event. And also a kind of natural development of my bitter-sweet Finnish story that has started in summer 2005. I have seen Flogging Molly live!

First of all, a few words about the band. They are originally from America, yet they have Irish roots. If you are into lively punk-rock, blended with strong elements of Irish folk and atmosphere, featuring lyrics about exile, Irish national identity, critical bitterness, fight for one own's rights and troubled life, but also on happiness, drinking and fiery love - then I suggest to check out Flogging Molly. Well, I suggest this band anyway; just click here, and listen.

For some reasons the band has never reached Slovenia. However, Flogging Molly is very popular in Finland. They have visited the country many times, especially during summer festivals. Nevertheless the place of the event, Tavastia in Helsinki, was full; the band actually decided to make two gigs as the original date, 7th of May, was sold out within some hours. However, I was able to get my ticket for Tuesday 6th of May - and all that was left was the (rail)road to Helsinki.

As there is about 270 km between JKL and the capital, I decided to spend more time in Helsinki; luckily, I was given a friendly place to stay, free of charge. Thus, I traveled on Monday morning already, and I hoped for a couple of relaxing days. Finally, those two days turned out tense, as I also had some health problems again, that flu be damned, but still - to the gig I went. And the gig was just... wow.

Tavastia gig, 6th of May 2008

Flogging Molly's music, inspired with traditional Irish jig, probably reminds Finns on their own humppa, and that might be the reason the audience here goes so crazy when Molly plays live. I guess there was a slight truth in Dave King's, Flogging Molly's frontman, words there were only one folks that were as crazy as the Irish - the Finns. Sure we were a crazy audience, and with such a professional band on stage, there is no problem to go wild.

The main theme was the new album Float, but of course they had to play some of their older songs. Good for me, newcomer to Molly's gigs, thus I could hear some of my favorites, too. Paddy's Lament and Float from the new album, and then older material like What's Left of the Flag, If I Ever Leave this World Alive, Whistels the Wind, Within a Mile Home, Selfish Man, Devil's Dance Floor, and more - all the way to I guess obligatory Black Friday Rule.

So I must remain in my new adopted land
I'm doing the best, Hell I'm doin' all I can...

Flogging Molly: Black Friday Rule

Finally, I had a great two hours in Tavastia, full of good mood and flaming Irish energy. The performance feelt proper, Flogging Molly's contact with the audience opened and relaxed. For some time I wish to visit Ireland again, not just because of getting more into Irish music within the last months; anyway, I have been listening to traditional Irish folk a lot already some years ago. It was more than worth to travel to Helsinki just to attend one band's gig - and all I can do now is to suggest Flogging Molly again. Sláinte agus saol agat!

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.

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

IS RUDOLPH DEAD?

Heipa, ihmiset! I will not keep it secret that I am visiting Slovenia. However, I have come here with one particular airline. The flight confronted me with cruel reality. Now, I might kill your dreams, but I feel it is honest to tell the truth.

Have you ever been wondering how Santa happens to move around the world so quickly? The answer is very simple. And no, the answer is not Santa has Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. SANTA CLAUSE USES HIS OFFICIAL AIRLINE!

I just hope Rudolph is still well and has not finished as somebody's delicious Christmas dinner...

STUDENT'S CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

As I walked down the road, I have noticed the twilight sky above Jyväskylä.

There was not much time to write within the past days. The first turn at the university has finished, thus bringing a pile of work. First of all, I am happy as I passed the exam in Finnish very well. The feeling that I am kind of studying Finnish within the university feels nice. I took three courses foreign students can take when dealing with Finnish. I also passed the first exam in Aikido; I am happy to continue martial art practices more seriously. I like Aikido, but I still miss Nanbudo.

However, our Digital Culture programme requires lots of essays. As I am interested in the themes, I feel quite motivated; I am just very tired at the moment, physically and even more mentally, and that prevents me from active work. I should be reading, I should be be writing; I will be reading and writing.

I am kind of filled with slight melancholy; so it happens every now and then. Some new things are going on in my life, I have to find my way in this unknown situation. Now, the Christmas brake has started. Today, I am packing. Tomorrow, I am traveling to a short holidays and I am returning back to Finland soon in January. But still I guess I will miss my dear. Until we meet again in our beloved blogosphere, my friends and fellow bloggers, I wish you all the best!

SEASONS GREETINGS

Christmas spirit of Tampere last Saturday. Good last month of the year and especially lots of jolly feasts I wish, my dear friends and fellow bloggers!

CLOSE TO ARCTIC

Arctic tundra in Rovaniemi

I woke up from my sleep and looked out from the window. What I saw was a landscape of winter. Drifting snow in the air, ground covered with it, all white. Nothing but winter. Oh fuck. I fall asleep again. When I woke up again, the bus was driving in clear sunny weather, somewhere near Oulu. Was the snow only a dream...?

Frozen waters of Rovaniemi

No dream that was. On our way to Rovaniemi last Thursday morning, a small part of our journey was snowy indeed. But despite Rovaniemi is almost in the Arctic circle, only 8 km away from napapiiri, there was no snow in the capital of Lapland; it was just cold and clear. However, we spent the afternoon first at the University of Lapland, admiring the new building where Media studies are located. Really grate places for students to practise their creativity; for instance big studio for video production the students at Slovenian Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television can only dream about. We were also told that each student there would be given - yep, a new laptop. Such is the system of studies only 8 km away from the everfrozen Arctic...

The close-to-Arctic afternoon then lead us into the city. The following event on the list was the opening of the photographic exhibition Changing Faces - Work #3 in the Rovaniemi Art Museum. However, since there was a couple of hours left before the exhibition, there was some time to explore the city.

A part of the city

Towards Lordin Aukio

Rovaniemi is small, yet it does not offer such first impression; it feels big and lofty. There are at least two famous persons/groups of persons on the commercial market. The first one is Santa Clause - yep, there is his own village within napapiiri. Anyway, if you remember Eurosong Song Contest 2006, you also remember Finnish monster-like band Lordi. They won that Eurosong, froze the Hell and brought the event to Helsinki. And yes, their frontman Tomi Putaansuu is from Rovaniemi. As an eternal remnant of this great victory, now Rovaniemi has a Lordin Aukio - Lordi Square.

The monument

There is not only Lordi Square. It was merely a coincidence that we passed by Lordi's Rocktaurant. I have read about that Lordi's restaurant last year, but then it has slip from my mind. So, by a mere chance, we happened to eat there, too. The food was nothing special, however, the experience was what counted the most. Some names for the food were funny indeed: like Petterin viimeinen matka/Rudolf's Last Journey for a dish containing reindeer meat. Not only that, there were also a few local metal fans enjoying their meal. However, as I would start to discuss Lordi and their restaurant as an element of commercial culture, it is better to write on other things...

Lordi's Rocktaurant

The Northern lights did not appear during the night, despite we have been told revontulet had been seen a couple of weeks ago. When the night became cold morning, we have decided to visit the museum Arktikum before going to the seminar lectures. I really enjoyed the exhibitions. They featured mainly life in the Arctic, nature, climate - and Sami culture. It was interesting to listen the samples of Sami language; I was also told there had been seven official Sami languages, and then there are also dialects. I also tried to read some writings in Sami language, but of course I could not understand any of it. Within the nature part I saw a moose for the first time. Just too bad that moose was an animal once alive and now stuffed. However, I was really impressed how big and great the moose actually had been. The next two such once alive and now stuffed animals I have always liked were the polar bear and the wolverine (in my opinion the Finnish hyena). However, if the road ever leads you to Rovaniemi, then Arktikum is a good place to visit. Especially if you would like to retreat from the cold wind...

Arktikum - the entrance

The Rovaniemi trip finished with the seminar lectures; the artists from Changing faces exhibition told about their work. Finally, two days seemed quite enough to get a first taste of Lapland. During the seven hours long drive back to Jyväskylä, we have also found out something. When some of us wondered, where we had been at the moment, like considering the position of the bus on the map, the easiest and in most cases very correct answer was - in the forest.

THE DAY OF LITERATURE

JUHANI. Yhdestä maailman kulmasta kuumoittaa meille vieläkin rauhan päivä. Ilvesjärvi tuolla Impivaaran kupeilla on se satama, jonne purjehdimme myrskyistä pois. Nyt olen päättänyt.

LAURI. Sen tein minä jo menneenä vuonna.

EERO. Minä seuraan teitä vaikka Impivaaran syvimpään luolaan, jossa, niinkuin sanotaan, vanha vuoren-ukko keittelee pikiä, päässä kypärä sadasta lammasnahasta.

TUOMAS. Sinne tästä siirrymme kaikki.

JUHANI. Sinne siirrymme ja rakennamme uuden maailman.

Aleksis Kivi: Seitsemän veljestä

These are the words from kertomus Seven brothers by Finnish national writer, poet, novelist and playwright Aleksis Kivi. Today, on October the 10th and his birthday, it was Aleksis Kiven päivä - suomalaisen kirjallisuuden päivä. The day of Aleksis Kivi, the day of Finnish literature. Thus, flags were fluttering in the cold wind...

This kertomus still awaits me to read it in Finnish. Yet tomorrow in the early morning I am off to Lapland until Friday. The Digital Culture class will attend an exhibition and a seminar in Rovaniemi. Perhaps, we will also see first snowflakes...

REFLECTIONS OF AUTUMN

Silent lies the lake, beyond all world it lies the world itself. Silent it lies in stillness, there is no time, and yet there is. Silent lies the lake, the mirror-water, always the same and yet each moment different...

A year has passed since this blog has started. Many things have changed. Some things have vanished into time and memory, vanished forever. Some of the readers do not read me no longer, some new have come. So it is. The lake stands still and silent, all happiness as well as all sorrows are just a passing-by reflection. Brief moments in eternity. And the lake stands still again...

Small photographic exhibition from Korpilahti surroundings, dedicated to the first autumn day - and to the nature itself.

Dear friends and fellow bloggers, have a nice autumn!

REFLECTIONS