Story time

I want to use this entry to write some of the stories that I think have been important or interesting while here in Finland. They aren't necessarily related to each other or even remotely profound in any way but they are all important to me for various reasons.

The first is not even a specific moment but a place and a feeling. Right in front of the cathedral there is a bridge that crosses the Aura River. It is a beautiful bridge, with a cobbled stone path running parallel to the busy street. The cathedral stands tall on one side of the bridge and around it is a small square, also with cobbled stone. On the other side of the cathedral, running all the way along the river to the harbor is a promenade speckled with coffee shops and benches. One day when crossing the bridge I heard the unmistakable sound of bagpipes. Sure enough, there was a man playing them while standing close to the bridge. Hearing him filled me with a sense of gratitude for how many people can say they are studying in such an idyllic city where people sit next to the river drinking coffee and a man stands playing the bag pipes? Even a Finnish friend (I've hardly ever talked to him but I ate dinner at his place once so I think that counts as friendship) said that he loves the river. I don't think I ever felt true gratitude until I came here.

My second story is in testament to Indian hospitality. On my first day in Turku, I was beginning the process of furnishing my apartment. My tutor had told me about the Turku Fleamarket Facebook group so I spent a great deal of time obsessing over the posts people put, ready to leap at any offer for things I needed. This was how I came to find a blue chair that a friend of my tutor's was selling. He insisted on carrying the chair for me and when he left, he said I could ask him for help if I needed it. Sure enough, I called him 30 minutes later to help set up my internet. He left with ladoo in his mouth and by giving me an invitation for dinner. That night I ate biryani and raita, made by an Indian couple my chair-selling friend knew. They talked so freely and were so inviting that I forgot that I was in a new place and didn't know anyone. Two weeks later, they invited my friend and I over for homemade jalebi, a sweet that makes all Indians' mouths water, and ended up making us dinner, tea (at my request) and packing parathas for me to take on an upcoming trip. They barely knew me and were already willing to do more for me than even some friends would have done.

Third story: Tango! I thought that swing would be my favorite new dance to learn but it turns out that tango has been much more exciting. I think this largely due to the fact that it is taught entirely in Finnish. Now, if it were any other dance, this would not be too much of a problem. Dancing is learned mostly by watching so a demonstration should be enough to figure out what you’re supposed to do. Tango, though, is not your typical dance. Tango is subtle and all about feeling the minutest of weight changes. In fact, the one phrase of Finnish I’ve learned from the class is paino vaihto or “weight change.” Consequently, the teachers spend a lot of time explaining what is going on, none of which I understand. I’ve decided though that learning tango isn’t as important as immersing myself in Finnish and so far I have learned three words in two classes (halua being the third which means “want”).

The fall colors have been beautiful

This is only a small part of all of the experiences that I have had while here in Finland. I feel fortunate to be in the program I am in because I have access to so many different cultural backgrounds every day. With some students I gain a Western perspective and with other students I have more of an Eastern perspective. All of these are important and I am slowly learning to realize that both perspectives are right in their own way. I have a feeling Finland will leave a lasting impact on how I think and view the world.

A final note before I go: If you have anything you want to hear about I’m all ears! In fact, ideas would be very much appreciated. Nähdään!