In Desperate Need Of Adventure

It’s over, I’m home.

I was supposed to update this blog more often, but it seemed that every time I was about to do so, something else came up.

I’ve been back in Finland for one week now and the last half year now feels like a strange dream. I believe that it takes some time to my mind set in being back.

But now that I start to think about the last half year, we really did a lot of stuff. Road trips, visits to other cities, school projects, lots of fun nights with dear friends, picnics, bike trips, days on the beach… Now it feels that there was things we did each day!

Netherlands as an exchange place proved out to be a safe, a bit familiar but still exotic. The culture had similarities to a Finn so that there weren’t any major cultural shocks on arrival, but as time went by, the diversities became more clear. The Dutch people are relaxed, welcoming and very internationally oriented. Everyone talks good English, even the smallest kids, and aren’t afraid to use it. Also, when compared to Finns, the Dutch are more open minded when it comes to communication with people from different cultures. It is easy to go talk to them and they seem to welcome you as you are.

I would recommend the exchange experience to everyone. Even though things might not be easy in the beginning, you learn a lot of yourself, your capabilities and start to believe in yourself more. Once you have lived abroad, you know you can do it and you get more self-confidence. This happened to me and now traveling seems like one of the best ways to develop personal leadership. I think that I also appreciate my own culture more and see it in a different light. It’s a cliché, yes, but that is what has happened. More perspectives, more good friends, more cultural knowledge and more knowledge of yourself. Seems like a good experience in paper, doesn’t it?

Now I think I’ll raise a toast for the Finnish summer, my family and friends. And what makes things easier, is to know that I will also see many of my exchange friends in one month.

Thank you for following this blog, I hope it is able to give something back. And I would to end this by saying: live, experience, learn and just go for it. It only matters if you tried and you appreciate it after you’ve done so.

Love

Jonas

Hey!

Haven’t written in ages, sorry I’ve been lazy.

Let’s see what have we’ve been up to. Hmm. Well first of all, it’s full summer now. Green leaves, grass, +20•C,  flies in the air. The basic. Couldn’t be better. I’m loving my balcony now. Then my first minor is over and the other one has started. I’m satisfied with my work, good grades given the content of the minor.

Other things: school, concerts and gigs, playing (music) on the streets, parties, beach, barbecues on the balcony (we bought our own for 20€), visits from friends and family, GAME OF THRONES STARTED!!!,  bike trips, walks in the nature, eating outside, caféterias, ice-cream, Cormac McCarthy books (hox), hanging out with nice people, tan?. Next up Queen’s Day (the biggest party of the year, so I’ve heard) and a holiday for one whole week! Life is pretty good. I try to remember to update the feelings after Queen’s Day.

Here’s some photos from the road (this website messes them up, just so you know):

I hate to admit it, but today was the first time I properly visited Amsterdam the first time. Sure I’ve been there, but the first time I was so cold, that I didn’t get anything out of it. And the other times have always been during the early evening to watch a concert or hanging out in pubs, so I haven’t really seen the city in daylight.

But now I decided to dedicate my whole free day just to Amsterdam!

So I woke up “early” and took a train into the city from Overveen station. I had a clear plan consisting of second hand shopping, browsing through market places, finding a nice cafeteria and just walking, walking and more walking.

I’ve been to Amsterdam, so I pretty much knew where I should head and walked straight through the older part of the city with all the crooked houses, canals and lovely houses. I fell again in love with the architecture of the old houses that combine colorful paintwork with warm materials such as tile and wood and old fashioned gable roofs. I found more places that I can count where I pictured myself living in.

The second hand shop district proved to be quite satisfying. But the prices in many places were a bit too high for my taste. Of course all the items were good quality, but still 25€ for a t-shirt is in my opinion too much. But you can find really great clothing items, just be strict with the quality. The market places had a fascinating selection of stuff from different decades and I’m sure you can find pure treasures if you just take the time. I have had a good training to be patient in shopping (thanks mom and sis) and after a few hours I nailed to jack pot and found a leather jacket that fit perfectly (manufactured in USA 1980). And that is really really hard. Especially for someone as skinny and tall as me. The quality was worth the price so I first tried to walk away, but eventually I found myself giving the money to the store-girl with a smile on my face.  So yeah, success! Also found a nice vintage flannel-shirt for only 10€.

Now that I felt satisfied I decided to look for the nice cafeteria and found it quite nearby! Bagels and Beans. It was full of people, looked cute and had a really nice and cozy atmosphere. Good bagels and coffee with reasonable price. Recommendations!

Then I just walked and walked as I had planned. Im starting to like it in here. When it gets a bit warmer I’ll get my bike and make a goal to cycle all the streets in Amsterdam. Good stuff!

This evening’s plan: carnival. Will be fun to see what kind of costumes people come up with.

Cheers!

Np: Bright Eyes – Jejune Stars

Here’s some photos:

View from the train

Amsterdam central station

Bagels and Beans

Logistical solutions

Catch of the day. Oh yeah, with spring also came allergies. That's the reason for the large amount of paper tissues. And come on, who doesn't need string?

Evening,

it’s been a while since a last scribbled something into this. Sorry about that, I’ll try to make more effort.

Let’s see, what has been going on.

Just yesterday I talked with Lauri, a good Finnish friend of mine, that it has started to feel like we are not on a vacation anymore. The first two weeks were packed with a lot of new things and everything was so unfamiliar that I really didn’t have the time to settle down and process the idea of an exchange. But now that almost a month has passed since my arrival, I’m starting to realize that I’ll be actually spending half a year here. Lauri had a good point, once you know what to buy in the local supermarket, that’s when you are settled in. So I surely am settled in.

School is now a part of the daily basis. Even though I don’t have that many contact lessons, the tasks have kept me busy for now. First feelings of my first minor, global media perspectives, are that it’s a lot different than I expected. Some good things and some bad things. But I’m sure that I have learned something new when the minor is finished. And my fellow students are nice, so it’s cool.

Besides school I’ve been doing some sports, got accustomed with the nice cafeterias in Haarlem,  some cool trips to Amsterdam and I’m really happy I brought my guitar with me. The creativity seems to flow better here. Weird. I’ve seen some awesome gigs. Going to concerts is a lot cheaper in here than in Finland. And there is a lot to choose from. For now I’ve seen 22-Pistepirkko, The National, Efterklang and some other really good acts for half the price I would pay in Finland. Still to see is for example Bright Eyes next Monday. Ought to be good.

The National live England @ Cross-Linx, Utrecht 17.02.2011 (Filmed by me! Watch in HD, for your own good.)

Duwo has shown it’s good and bad sides as a place to stay. As far as the maintenance, you really have to be strict if you want something done. I had my sink stuck for one week and I called every day for the janitor to come fix it. Eventually I got frustrated and just fixed it myself. I’ve been hearing some other similar things from other residents. I’m not trying to diss Duwo, I’m just being realistic. That’s how things are in here. But there is a lot of good sides also! I’ve met some really really great people and it’s awesome that I can easily spend time with them, because everyone lives here. We’ve been playing basketball, watched movies, made food, and partied. Good times.

Sushi night!

Next week is holiday! We rented a car with Lauri, Tina and Jonas and I are planning to hit the high way.  Euro road trip! Were thinking of driving down south to Antwerpen and then go west, to the French coast. The distances are so small here, that you can see a lot in 4 days. Whoop!

Today we went out on the streets to play with Lauri. Just to get some pocket money. Success. Once the weather gets a bit warmer, we”ll be making a fortune.

Allrighty. That’s all for know! Catch you laterz.

Np: The National – England

Ps. the cathedral in the topic is the center cathedral of Haarlem. Listen to the song I linked. You’ll get what I’m referring to.