As it stands I don't have very long left in Finland. I've recently been in Russia for a week and travel to Stockholm in about a weeks time. When I arrived back in Lapland in January I couldn't really imagine myself in April, I definitely couldn't imagine myself 7, almost 8 months down the line when I got here in August. Despite the fact that it was horribly intimidating and at first I was really worried about being here, there's so many things I'll miss about this country, this city.
First off and most predictably, I'll definitely miss the views. I'll miss the view out of my window, my lovely little pylon has provided me with many an aesthetic photo for my Snapchat. I know that to many an electricity pylon is awful, before now I wouldn't have liked it either but I've grown to love it since waking up to the fog surrounding it to the sunsets behind it.
Before actually living it, I never would have pictured myself in Lapland at any other time of year apart from winter. Being able to see all the seasons play out here has been very strange, naturally when you think of Lapland you think of snow but Lapland is pretty beautiful at other times of year too. Autumn has always been my favourite season. At home I constantly crave the yellows, oranges and browns, the crunchy leaves, the slight chill but the creeping of the sun. But Autumn here is something else, I can't describe how beautiful it is. The snow that blankets the whole city from mid-October to around April/May is also beautiful in a different way. It's something I'll miss having the opportunity to look at every time I look out my front door.
Something I didn't know that I enjoyed so much was how peaceful it is here. Although I catch myself craving a busier city environment, it is wonderful to be in a place without too much hustle and bustle. It's given me a lot of space and a lot of time to think about my work and scarily my life decisions, which I mostly put off and decide to do something else instead. The tranquility of life here has made me feel a lot calmer, something I sometimes don't feel at home because I always feel busy.
When I first arrived I never, ever thought I'd be saying I'd miss this. But I will miss my little Finnish room. When I first arrived at Kuntotie and saw my tiny, low bed and the bare walls I was a little bit horrified. I couldn't see myself being there for the year, I could never see myself calling it home. But after the addition of a few home comforts it's become very homely and I'll miss it a lot.
Being away from the traditional university environment I've found myself embroiled in for the last two years has given me many opportunities. Not that I don't miss Coventry because I do but in Finland I've felt I've had a lot of artistic freedom. Whilst undertaking my studies in Lapland I've delved into a lot of projects both for university and things I've wanted to try out to see how well they work. Not all have been successful/are completed but none the less I've found that being here has provided me with lots of ideas to buzz around my brain. When I go back to Coventry, I'm prepared for it to be a lot of hard work and much of my time will focus on university. I'll miss being able to wake up with an idea and being able to pick up my camera to try it out.
A bit out the ball park here, but I'm just going to come out with it. I'll really miss Hesburger. Hesburger isn't a thing in the UK which makes me very sad. Now, I love a good McDonald's but in Rovaniemi it's kinda expensive. Not that Hesburger is much cheaper in comparison but they do these really great soy strips and you get sauce included depending on how many you buy, which I've become quite partial to. Whilst we're on the subject of food, Cafe 21 is another one. The waffles there are absolutely amazing, but you guessed it because I live in Finland, they're expensive. But oh my goodness are they worth it but only occasionally when I don't feel poor.
To combat my rave review on a fast food place I'll make a U-turn and say I'm gonna miss the amount of exercise I've found myself doing. As it stands, because of the closing of the old bridge, it takes me an hour if I walk to university and about 30 minutes if I cycle. Over the past 9 months exercise has become a part of my every day life and it's slipped in quite well (even if I do hate having to leave at 8 for a 9am start). At home I can walk to the center both in Coventry and in the village I live in but it doesn't take long and if I want to go further afield I can always hop in my car. I also find it difficult to make time to go to the gym or keep to a schedule for running or swimming. When I get home I'm going to aim to incorporate it more into my life because although I'm not the biggest fan of cycling, I love exercise.
