From the Pleasant Catalan Breeze to the Winter Chill of Finland
Helsinki, January 30, 2018
Hello from Finland!
It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies when you’re about to go on a trip. Just a few weeks ago, I decided to spend some time in Finland, and the day has finally arrived! With my one-way flight but no return ticket, I’m about to embark on a journey whose end I don’t even know or when it will come.
The Reason
There are several reasons why I decided to take on this adventure. Looking back, I realized that over the past few years, my life had become a routine. I had my home, my job, my friends, and my daily schedule all planned out. The reality is that I found myself in a comfort zone that made me forget what excitement and motivation felt like. I needed a change in my life—a drastic change to rediscover my path.
I want to make it clear that this premise doesn’t apply to everyone. Some people are happy with a stable life and don’t need major changes to be content. Each of us has different ambitions and aspirations, and all are equally valid.
The Destination: Finland
Finland has always been on my list of places to visit. Many years ago, I visited Helsinki with my family on a Baltic Capitals cruise. But, of course, it was just for one day, and you hardly see anything in a day. Moreover, when we travel, we usually plan everything (or most of it) because we have limited time and, as we say in Barcelona, “anem per feina” (we get straight to the point) to make sure we don’t miss the main sights.
On the other hand, I had been itching to visit a Nordic country in winter for a while. I wanted to experience the polar cold firsthand. I know it’s not the best time for most people, but I love watching the snow and winter landscapes! It’s all about dressing warmly and not letting the cold get to you.
For now, my journey begins in Helsinki and will continue in southeastern Finland. Before catching my flight, I was nervous, but now that I’m at the hostel, the feeling is different. I feel calm because I believe I’ve made the right decision, and because I’ve survived the first minutes of this polar cold!
And Finally…
I’ve never done a trip like this before, and right now I have a mix of emotions. On one hand, I’m really excited to see what this new country has in store for me. I won’t deny that I’m a bit uncertain because I can’t imagine what the next days, weeks or months will be like. However, I think as long as the word is uncertainty and not fear, it’s a positive feeling.
My goal with this blog is to share my experiences in this country as a travel diary. This post was supposed to be from day one, but I’ve rambled on a bit… so for now, I’ll wrap it up and see you in the next one!
