Return from Russia

So, I return from my triumphant trip to Russia. Not sure what was so triumphant about it, but just feel like using that word. I'm pretty shattered as its straight back to work. However, that is a good sign as it showed I made the most of my time there. This was the most expensive trip of the year for me (the visa alone was €77!) however it was totally worth it. We had a great day in Moscow before heading off to St Petersburg for 4 days. St Petersburg is just beautiful. So much great architecture. Beautiful palaces and so many churches. Not to mention all the rivers. I really loved it there. And Russia people are not as rude as the stereotype suggests. Or maybe it was just all the sunshine we were lucky enough to have that was cheering people up. I have taken waaaaay too many photos, and have many storys to tell, so stay tuned for the travel diarys. Although this week is Vappu (the biggest date in the Finnish student calander) so it probably won't be till the weekend I'm afraid...

Oh, and on a side note, you might be surprised to hear that I didnt find any CDs worth buying...

Ahoj!

So again it seems I have been neglecting the blog. My two weeks at home were manic, and this week has been just as manic. It must be something to do with the beautiful sunshine we're having here (although still not double figures in terms of temperature, so don't get too jealous), but I've been feeling rather sociable this week. So on wednesday, just one day after getting back in Finland, I went to the ESN goodbye party! So soon! It was a tshirt signing party, so thought it might make a nice memento. I have quite a bit of space to hunt down some of my friends that weren't there though... so be warned!

Then friday night was spent chilling with Mira. The days are so long here now, its really messing with my head. Its always much later than I think it is, and I nearly walked straight past Mira's flat because I didn't recognise it in the daylight!

Saturday, well saturday was crazy. I met with Mira again to go to the market that was going on down by the river. The sunshine was glorious and the fish smelt so good. I bought another piece of salmon cooked over an open fire (really really delicious!) and I was even brave enough to try the tiny fish that they seem to just eat as though it were a plate of chips. I always thought they looked unappealing, but one stall was giving away free samples, so thought I should try before I judge. It was very salty, still had the skin (no scales, but still I hate the skin on fish in general) and lots of tiny tiny bones. So I had a couple of bites and threw it away. I'll stick to the salmon :)

Oh, and since I got a shiny new digital camera for my birthday, I took a few snaps for your pleasure...









Then in the evening, the head of our ESN section hosted a party at her house. Its an amazing apartment, the most coveted of the student accomodation, and now I can see why. It was the best student accomodation I've ever seen. There was a mix of mostly Finns and the odd exchange student, but it was just a really fun night. Although I perhaps had a few too many vodka shots. Ahem.

Today, I'm out for drinks again (not so many this time), and then tomorrow will be a crazy last-minute packing night. Yes, I may have been back less than a week, but I will soon be off on travels yet again. This time I'll be going to explore the great motherland itself.

Yes, I will be travelling to Russia!!! After a bit of a headache with visa's and my disorganisation in signing up for activitys, its now all systems go. I will be travelling with ESN (and a Russia speaking tour guide) to both Moscow and St Peterburg! We spend one crazy day in Moscow (night train arrives around 8am, and then we get the night train to St Petersburg at about 10pm), where I will be partaking in a tour of the Kremlin among other things. Then we stay in St Petersburg for 3-4 days. I have signed up for a tour of one of the many palaces, a trip to the ballet (I'm not a huge fan, but if I'm going to see ballet anywhere I guess it should be in Russia right) and then a riverboat cruise of the city (with champers and chocolates on board). I just hope the weather holds out for that. There was also talk amongst the ESN girls last night about hiring a limo one night. Then of course there is the Hermitage to get lost in too. And CD shopping :) Any other tips and suggestions of things to do and see are very welcome!

So yes, a busy few more days. I'm sure even when I get back there will be lots more exploring. Particularly, I want to explore the islands around Turku much more, something I had been waiting for the sun before doing. No excuses now then eh? So moi moi for now!

Release Me

Sorry for the disappearance. Its been a bit non-stop since I've been back. Its all a bit odd actually, I've just slipped back into life here, and feel like I've picked up where I left off. Like Finland never happened. Its hard to think I'm going back again in just a few days. But its nice to know life doesnt move too fast here, and that I havent missed much while I've been away, that my friends are still here for when I come back.

As for my birthday, it was a lot of fun. Well, actually, the friday night out with my friends was great. Saturday morning I woke up with a hangover and a stinking cold (what is it with me and colds this year, I swear I'm never normally this bad), and then there was the bizarre behaviour of my cat leading to a trip to the vets, and the news that I may not make it to Russia as planned due to a few problems with the Visa. But I decided to try and forget all that for my actual birthday on the sunday, for which I went for a carvery at a posh hotel in the country :) Ate way too much and was in bed by 5pm though! Really feeling my age then :p

Anyway, as for the post title, I just saw Agnes' video for Release Me on the box (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSb6e3grdL8). I heard she was releasing stuff over here, but hadnt heard the song before. I had seen it around but thought it was Leona Lewis :/ I paid better attention this time though, and am pleased to see her doing quite well over here with this song. Its a funky song, and deserves to do well.

Going Home Tomorrow

I'm really not looking forward to tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to get home, but that won't happen till friday. You see, I will be getting up at 8am like usual, going into work as usual, and then getting the 4pm train to Tampere and going for lunch somewhere before getting a bus to the airport for my 9pm check-in/11pm flight. So will land at 2am Finnish time. Thats one hell of a long day. Actually, the length of the day doesn't bother me, but its the idea of dragging my case around with me all day. And its always boring to do that much travel on your own.

So, the question is, do I take my luggage to work with me tomorrow, and go to the special lecture seminar that is going on from 12-2, and then go for the train, or do I try to get out of said lecture and go home at noon to pick up all my stuff instead. I'm rooting for the latter personally.