Falling in love || Winter 2016

Hi guys! I think I am starting to fall in love with so many new things! It is amazing how we, ourselves, keep developing and learning new things. By the way, look at that cute little house. It is actually a cafe, so I hope to go there sometime this week, but on one of my night walks I came across it and love the Scandinavian feeling it has.

Photography

I love photography! Since I got a new camera I've been taking a lot of pictures, and learn new things everyday. I watch videos and read blogs, trying to find new tips and tricks, from ISO to the best angles. I enjoy it so much, and find myself always searching for a good spot to take a picture, and creating this image in my head of how I want it. When going for walks I always take my camera, just in case. And besides that I am always walking around thinking, this would be a good picture, this image says a lot, or creates a certain feeling. I love it, and it is the first time that I really have a hobby, well besides traveling. Why do I choose such expensive hobbies?

Late night walks

At home I don't enjoy (night) walks at all, at least I wouldn't think so. But here it is almost a daily routine. Probably 5 out of 7 nights I will wander around at night, and not just for 15 minutes, more like 2 hours. And sometimes I realize I probably shouldn't do this. When it is 12 AM and I am walking through the dark forest alone (and the bears and wolves) I sometimes think to myself, why are you doing this? You know there are probably more safe places to go to, but I love it. It is dark, some snow and no one around, complete darkness and silence surround me. It is a great way to think and evaluate about your day; what did I do and accomplish, what did I like about my day, what do I want to do differently?

Finland

I am starting to fall in love with Finland. All the things that make it unique, I love learning about this culture. You know there are always positives and negatives in a situation, but you can change the negatives into 'different'. Not one place is the same, and that is what makes everything unique, which makes life amazing and daring. How boring would it be if everything is the same. So what I complain about the coffee? It makes you appreciate what you do have. Have I mentioned how well-mannered the Finns are, and also the men. I love it when men are raised to be a gentleman. Everything seems to be well organized, and people seem to live a happy and healthy life. It is a pretty good life here, peeps! 

This week I will experience some new things. On Thursday i will be going to a Finnish sauna for the first time. This means that you jump in the frozen lake and then sit in a 85 degree celsius room, wow. I guess you need to try everything once in your life. Furthermore, I will try skiing for the first time in my life! Oops! We will see if I make it out alive.

Have an amazing week!

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Wandering and getting lost in Finland

You know those days that you wake up without having any plans, and by the end of it you are surprised where it took you. Today was one of those for me. I woke up and decided that I wanted to see what else this city has to offer. I went on the web and saw that there are 2 observation towers, that look out over the surrounding area. One is taller than the other, and looking them up I was already looking forward to go to the one called pyynikki. I put on some warm clothes, and was smart enough to put on some thermo leggings under my pants. But by the end of the road there was a short hike up into the forest and with my fast pace I was starting to sweat a little. Nothing more nice than feeling hot when it is so cold outside. 

Cold, snow and reality

Survived another day of low temperatures, continuing snow and boredom. Yes bored, because there is so little that I can do. But on the bright side, I got a room. I am proud owner of my own little space in a flat in the city centre. I looked around on what they had available, but I really wanted to be in the city centre to stay entertained and close to everything. 

Today and yesterday were kind of rough days for me. I was sort of settling on the fact that this will be my reality until June. The cold and snow are not just for a day or week, but for three more months. I feel alone, because I missed the introduction week and am staying in a hostel. But today, after walking back from the grocery store I got a little upset with myself. Why are you looking at everything with so much negativity. Look where you are. Look around you. How beautiful is the fresh falling snow, pure nature. And how awesome is the fact that you are lucky enough to spend half a year somewhere else, in a new place where you get to see new things. And so what your social life has taken a notch back. So what you don't have friends immediately. Is that ever the case? Coming from a place where always I could find someone to hangout with, or to eat with, it might take some time getting used to this. I have to remind myself that this is a normal process, and it makes me appreciate the people I have at home even more. Life is so good, but it depends on the glasses you have on. Learn to have patience and at the bright side. Give yourself a chance and the world a chance. And things will become better. 

With thanksgiving I can look back and look forward to the time I will spend here. A little culture shock or homesickness is perfectly alright and acceptable. Things are temporarily. And who knows, perhaps in June I do not even want to leave because things here are so nice. Yesterday I took a little time to spent in the cold and take some photographs of the city centre. If I am really honest with y'all, I think the city looks maybe even better at night time. I just have to get used to the industrial look it has and coming from a historical city filled with architecture, old churches and city walls you are used to a different view. Doesn't mean it is bad, it is just different. And difference is always good, be open minded and look at the positive. Even the cold temperatures. Love <3

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Holidays part 2

What is more beautiful than Paris? Paris during christmas time. Something about lights and decorations to make a city even prettier than it already is. Of course, this season also brought many people to the city of love, but it did not stop me to bring it a visit as well. We visited the most expensive shopping streets of Paris, without making a purchase ;). Furthermore we went to the arc de triumph, eiffel tower by night and visited some museums. I would highly recommend musee d'orsay, such beautiful, diverse exhibitions and art is present. Free if you are under 25 and otherwise still a very affordable price of just 11 euros.  You can spent an entire day here if you would like. It is situated in an old railway station, with a grand hall and beautiful decorations and statues. Here you can find the thinker of Rodin, paintings of van Gogh, monet, Sisley and so many other great artists. One hint, if you want to skip the 1hr line buy your ticket in advance! For more pictures --> 

Holidays

First of all, I wish you all the very best for this year. Happiness, abundance, thanksgiving, comfort when sad, smiles and laughter, and great company to be around. Dreams to follow, hope for tomorrow and confidence for today. 

Did you have a good holiday season? Was it what you hoped for? Or not at all? Were you taken by sadness, grief or tears? lacking hope for the new year, not looking forward to it? Or could you not wait to finish 2015 and start all over. However you ended 2015, I hope that you can look forward to the days ahead of you. I hope that you can have faith and look up to a bright future. It is not always easy to have hope, but it is something to hold onto :).

I was lucky enough to spend the holidays in a magical place, called disneyland. Wow, what an overwhelming place filled with lights, laughter and joy. 

Click on read more for a sneak peak of all the fun times. 

Trip to Poland

I got to spent a week in beautiful and cold Poland, which was overall very interesting and surprisingly nice. I guess I didn't know what to expect from it because I had not visited eastern Europe before. However, it was such a positive experience, and I will surely visit again. We stayed at a hotel in Krakow, the second biggest city of Poland. It was very cold, but sunny and a clear blue sky. We spent some time touring the city and its surroundings. Apparently, Krakow has the biggest market square of Europe. And luckily enough we came at the right time of the year, having christmas decorations all over the city. At the market square they had set up a christmas market and big tree. 

Besides sight seeing of the city we also had some educational purposes. Whom has seen the oscar winning movie schindlers list probably knows the story. The factory of this story is located in krakow, and is now turned into museum, so of course this was a must see (and less than 4 dollars). We also visited auschwitz, which is about 80 kilometers from the city of Krakow. We visited both Auschwitz I, which shows exhibitions and has turned more into a museum, and Auschwitz II Birkenau, which is still in the state in which it was left by the nazis after the second world war. Overall I would highly recommended this beautiful place for a visit. It is tourist friendly, not too busy (like Paris or London) and its very cheap affordable.

Paris is always a good idea!

People around me know what my favorite thing is; to travel. Nothing makes me happier and feel alive the n exploring new areas. Last week I was in the city of love, Paris. (With friends, no lover anywhere close). I stayed in a hostel not too far away from the inner city. It wasn't my first time in Paris, but I actually got to enjoy it more than the previous two times. The first time I visit a place I want to see as much as I can. But this time I was not in a rush, therefore I got to walk and enjoy the beauty I was surrounded with. I had time to sit in the Sacre-Coeur and listen to the choir. I experienced a totally different Paris than last time, because I had no rush or stress. 

Paris has such a nice vibe, and unlike last time, barely any tourists during this time of the year. I was there once on July 14th, their national holiday day. One word; crazy! If you can, avoid the summer months, starting late April until September, as well as December. At least, if you don't mind a little colder weather. It will save you heaps of frustration and long waiting lines for attractions. 

To-do-list

So each time I end up doing different things, but the one thing I have done 3 times is climb the Arc de Triomphe. If you are a student (and I think under 26) it is free! You have an amazing view on the Champs-Elysees, eiffel tower and the Sacre-coeur. I prefer this option over climbing the eiffel tower due to the view, budget and no waiting line. I have heard, but not experienced, that the Montparnasse tower, tallest skyscraper of France, gives a breathtaking view. 

Museums

Although the Louvre offers great art, we ended up heading almost straight to the Mona-Lisa due to time restrictions. And in front of this little painting were tons of tourist crowded with their cameras out. You would almost need a week to really see everything the Louvre has to offer. If you are on a budget or tight schedule, I would skip this museum. I also preferred Musée d'Orsay over the Louvre. This museum offers a lot of art of impressionism in an old railway station. From van Gogh to Renoir, Whistler's mother to sculptures of Rodin, a wide variety is offered. If you are interested in philosophy, literature or the enlightenment period, you can visit the Pantheon. This is where Victor Hugo, Rousseau and Voltaire are buried. It is a beautiful old church, across from the law faculty. Which museum you want to visit (or all) really depends on your personal taste, preference, budget and time. 

Now if you want to go to Paris but have flexibility in your schedule, go the first sunday of the month (preferably not during the summer). The first sunday means to get in free to almost all attractions. To our surprise it was actually not that busy, but we were happy to make use of this offer the city of Paris provides. 
Many food options are available in this city, it depends on your taste and budget. I would highly recommended the falafel in the Marais district  Go to L'as du fallafel and you will try the best falafel you have ever had, I promise! For just 6 euros and a little bit of waiting time (the line seems long but it goes pretty fast) you won't be disappointed. You can either have take-out or sit inside. In the Montmartre neighborhood (Sacre-Coeur) are also many affordable dinner options. And if you find a crêpes stand, treat your self, because these are delicious!

Positives of traveling

You can go to college as much as you want to learn new things, take courses or read books, but the best way to know and understand the world is by traveling. And by traveling I don't mean to book a five star resort in the carribean to lay on the beach for five days and fly back home. By traveling I mean to visit places, the people and culture. Take a bag and passport, a map or travelguide, maybe a friend, step on a plane and explore places you haven't been. This is one way I discovered the world. I think by meeting new people and adjusting to a new culture helps you to learn appreciate what you have, and to become more openminded. Who you are to judge another persons lifestyle. They probably think you're crazy too :) 

Social aspect

I always recommend people to travel by themselves. Especially when you are young you can explore who you are and what is important for you. Also, when you are by yourself you're forced to meet new people and get to know the locals or fellow travelers. As a person with social anxiety this doesn't seem so exciting. But I have found out this is the best way..period. Spending a year abroad to be an exchange student was the best decision I could have made. Because I was only 15 this really shaped me at a young age. I learnt from that age on that I can be thankful for where I come from. Six Years later I am still in contact with my former high school class mates. (Big shout out to social media platforms). 

Confidence boost

Traveling the world by myself during the ages of 15 and 16 made me feel quite confident. And with quite I mean a whole bunch. I have spent a night alone in an airport when I was supposed to be picked up by someone, not understanding what was happening (and literally one quarter left). At 15, not knowing the language, people, culture and where the heck I was, was scary, but I learnt to trust myself. Whatever situation happens, I won't panic, but think logically. WIth that last quarter I got to call someone to save me, picking me up 8 hours later. This year made me confident for the past six years already. Whatever situation I end up in, I can manage. It made me realize that I DO have the ability to take care of myself.

Appreciation

What is a better way to learn to appreciate where you come from then stepping into new cultures. With anything that I would do, eat or saw I could think 'I am happy we don't do this at home' or 'I am glad we don't eat this stuff'. I lived in three different families, and got to learn how each family has different values and rules. I appreciated my mother more than ever, she was the best woman to grow up with. I loved the norms and values I grew up with, the faith that I had adopted. But it was also the other way around. I appreciate the people I got to meet and become friends with. The places I got to visit that had so much history. How lucky was I to see all of this with my own eyes. Or that my parents were alright with saying goodbye to their 15-year old, not knowing where she would end up with and if we would see each other again. 

Growing

Overall, traveling is an experience that will make you grow in every way possible. Challenging yourself to step into the unknown is the best decision you can make for yourself. It will learn you to become more patient, open minded, daring and adventurous. It will enhance your life and makes you feel happy about where you come from, as well as the places you get to visit. You can make new dreams, you are forced to leave your comfort zone and will make friends that you keep for the rest of your lives. The people you meet will be a lot like you, open minded and adventurous. You will learn new things from them, and share places that should be on your bucket list. 

Explore, dream & discover.