I have hosted couple of guys in couple of weeks, nothing bad in whole thing, nothing really, but oh, how tired and blue I've felt. For everyone to know, I have been a bit ill, on medicines already 1½ months. Tried many different stuff, now going most probably to the operation to see whats wrong. I might not be the best host for anyone, but I tried and almost succeed.
First I got a guest from not so far away, from Turku, Finland. Tomi (HC, CS) was on a weekend trip which started already on Thursday and he asked if I could host him for one night. I promised fastly and there he was, behind the door after some long time being lost in Helsinki. I offered a beer and we talked about works and stuff, future plans and so on. Later on a same night we had great idea to call Sussi (HC) and ask her out with us. Sussi promised to go for "one beer". We travelled to Taka-Töölö from Etu-Töölö (from front to back). Took 3T (T is for Tölö and B is for Berghall, swedish names of Töölö and Kallio -areas). And we ended up to Hadanka for 2 beers. Sussi talked about her work and family-related stuff and we listened most of the time. Soon it was not late, but evening and common decicion was to go to home and sleep. Tomi most probably had woken up around 5 am.
Next morning we had computer-lan-session at my bedroom and we separated to different places. I went via University to Sähköjänis-festival to Savo. Tomi continued to have a fest in Helsinki.
Last week, from Wednesday until Saturday, I had a guest from Barcelona, Victor (HC) who had lived also in Riga, came to have "a holiday". I don't know what he is really doing in Helsinki, but he just stopped mainly at my place, crashing a floor and taking a shower every day. With him we met couple other Clubbers, Nico (HC, from Italy) and Kestutys (HC, from Lithuania) who live in Helsinki. Guys had a talk and I helped them to decide that Victor moves on next morning to stay with Nico and Kestutys. I had planned something else for Saturday night.
Anyway! I hope my possible guests respect me, whether I am not in good mood or I am really tired because of pains. In fact, I've been thinking that hosting the people who are in trouble without host, it's nice, but do I need to explain my crunkiness to every guest? Of course without telling the reasons, I take a risk to get not so nice comments. Though: Comments are not so important than having better health on someday. I have ended with this.
sunnuntai 9. syyskuuta 2007
maanantai 27. elokuuta 2007
Special Guests?
Well, it wasn't really that they stayed at mine's, but they came in the morning and we walked and talked and I did kick a dog. This means, Keijo and Virve (HC, CS) came from Joensuu to visit Helsinki area for 3 days. Virve messaged me in the early wednesday:"What we should do?" I invited whole family (Viivi and Keijo and cute Niila, lappish dog) to visit my house. And they came. I played with Niila and talked with Virve, drinked coffee with Keijo and we walked around the city until Niila got thirsty and we got hungry.
Fast trip to the shop and then to home to make some delicious food. I cooked rice, vegetables with coconut cream, Virve doesn't like coconut, so they made some sausage-stuff for themselves. And then again a bit of coffee. They left in the early evening and I slept good long night dreams.
We saw eachother again on Thursday. I had settled a meeting with some friends in the evening in Suomenlinna, so did Keijo and Virve with Teemu and Alisa. I went to meet whole gang. Couples together, I feel so welcomed in that kind of crews. Anyways, day went fastly. We had good talks about life and things with others. At home I was fastly checking out the mails and talked a bit with Kliment (HC, CS) and he told that we is moving soon, so someone needs to take care of booze what he has at home. I helped him with taking a good care of booze: bottle of sparkling wine, red wine and vodka. And in the evening of Thu came Katja (my finnish friend from Tampere). She was ready stay at mine until today. So she did, with small changes.
On Friday we spent lazy summer day in the city. Walked around, bought some small stuff: I got some cd (Nina Simone) and books (Jules Verne, comics) as a bday presents for myself. Friday was also the Night of the Art. There was lots of happenings around the city. We went to Like bookstore and Stupido recordshop. After that a beer in Loose and then to home through Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace) where they showed Casablanca on a huge screen. I was planning to see Strange Fruits show. They performed at 00:00 next to the Parliament House. Suddenly the day changed to Saturday, my bday, and I opened a sparkling wine (small bottle) on a yard with a sight of a nice performance. I walked home, tried to get contact with Katja and ended to home for a small chat on the internet. I slept when Katja tried to call me. In the morning I was already at work just after 7:00.
After works, I had to bake a cake, I had invited some people to visit me for coffee and cake, so there was a delicious cake with banana and strawberries. At four came Sami (HC/CS/BW) and at five Tiina and Katja. Later on again Sami with his friend, Kaisa, Jenni, Riikka and Julieta. We celebrated a bit with red wine and continued to the bar at 20, came back before 23. I had small chat again and fall a sleep early while Katja wanted to meet some friends on the city.
On Sunday we needed to wake up early. I got an cruise ticket to Tallink new boat as a bday presents from my uncle, so we decided to use it right after the fest. With Kaisa, Katja and Tiina we went to Tallinn, stayed there some 7h, walked around and came back to home. Today was first day of this years academic life. I guided rookies and will do the same for 4 days in a row now. That's all about hosting right now. Next guest will be right after the coming weekend, which I will spend in Savo on our family autumn festival.
Fast trip to the shop and then to home to make some delicious food. I cooked rice, vegetables with coconut cream, Virve doesn't like coconut, so they made some sausage-stuff for themselves. And then again a bit of coffee. They left in the early evening and I slept good long night dreams.
We saw eachother again on Thursday. I had settled a meeting with some friends in the evening in Suomenlinna, so did Keijo and Virve with Teemu and Alisa. I went to meet whole gang. Couples together, I feel so welcomed in that kind of crews. Anyways, day went fastly. We had good talks about life and things with others. At home I was fastly checking out the mails and talked a bit with Kliment (HC, CS) and he told that we is moving soon, so someone needs to take care of booze what he has at home. I helped him with taking a good care of booze: bottle of sparkling wine, red wine and vodka. And in the evening of Thu came Katja (my finnish friend from Tampere). She was ready stay at mine until today. So she did, with small changes.
On Friday we spent lazy summer day in the city. Walked around, bought some small stuff: I got some cd (Nina Simone) and books (Jules Verne, comics) as a bday presents for myself. Friday was also the Night of the Art. There was lots of happenings around the city. We went to Like bookstore and Stupido recordshop. After that a beer in Loose and then to home through Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace) where they showed Casablanca on a huge screen. I was planning to see Strange Fruits show. They performed at 00:00 next to the Parliament House. Suddenly the day changed to Saturday, my bday, and I opened a sparkling wine (small bottle) on a yard with a sight of a nice performance. I walked home, tried to get contact with Katja and ended to home for a small chat on the internet. I slept when Katja tried to call me. In the morning I was already at work just after 7:00.
After works, I had to bake a cake, I had invited some people to visit me for coffee and cake, so there was a delicious cake with banana and strawberries. At four came Sami (HC/CS/BW) and at five Tiina and Katja. Later on again Sami with his friend, Kaisa, Jenni, Riikka and Julieta. We celebrated a bit with red wine and continued to the bar at 20, came back before 23. I had small chat again and fall a sleep early while Katja wanted to meet some friends on the city.
On Sunday we needed to wake up early. I got an cruise ticket to Tallink new boat as a bday presents from my uncle, so we decided to use it right after the fest. With Kaisa, Katja and Tiina we went to Tallinn, stayed there some 7h, walked around and came back to home. Today was first day of this years academic life. I guided rookies and will do the same for 4 days in a row now. That's all about hosting right now. Next guest will be right after the coming weekend, which I will spend in Savo on our family autumn festival.
sunnuntai 19. elokuuta 2007
No guests lately!
Well, i am a bit sick right now, so I ended up NOT to host right now so much like I did couple weeks ago. But, If I got nice mails from people who are coming to Helsinki, I will definately do something.
sunnuntai 5. elokuuta 2007
Time Is on My Side
I had a long-waited guest from my hometown. My aunt from mothers side came to have a 2 day holiday in Helsinki. Pirkko is somewhat in her 50s, cool person and perfect relative to have.
Anyway, she is working in a financing area and she got work related tickets for the concert on Tuusulanjärven Kamarimusiikkifestivaali (Tuusula lake's Chamber Music Festival). It was interesting to get the other-vip-ticket to there. The concert was in three parts: Hindemith's Four Temperaments, J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto nr 3 (G major) and never-seen-before Radioktet by Rinneradio, Pekka Kuusisto and Meta4. I really enjoyed a trip to Järvenpää and back, the concert itself. And we continued to look for a dinner place after 21.
We checked out Santa Fé, Barcelona Tapas and Michelle, but we ended once again to Kappeli. Kappeli is an old chappel hall in the middle of Helsinki. Food is basic, but quite good. Interior and athmosphere in there is magical, August night outside, drinking Kir royal and eating Mushroom Pelmeni. We felt like we would have been abroad, Esplanadi park was beautiful in evening dusk. We walked back to home via smaller streets. Enjoyed a bit more of german redwine and talked about human life.
Morning broke as a beautiful sight. It was light from the beginning, and after fast shower we decided to eat breakfast outside. I have had Krulla in my mind while thinking about late sunday-breakfast. Krulla on Fredrikinkatu was closed for the summer, so we continued to Ekberg Cafe. Had Salmon bread and coffee. It was delicious, but aunts tummy didn't somehow liked the stuff. We relaxed a bit in Esplanadi park before continuing to Stockmann to buy books from Akateeminen and kids clothes for my uncles babies, Emma and my god-daughter Ella. They are 2 and 1 yrs old, having same size of clothes. Quite the same situation with me and my older sister Elina, who ended up with 155cm, while I grew to 172cm.
We came home to relax a bit more, and then her bus left back to Varkaus. I had restless feeling, so I decided to do something. I called to Kaisa, visited her and fixed her computer a bit until we left for tram 3T ride to Kaivopuisto. In there we had ice-cream, sat on a coastline and talked about important things. She had to leave to see her boss and I came to home. Now I am here, but Teemu and Alisa (both HC-members) asked me to join for park-trip tonight, so I am leaving again. Now -- to Töölönlahti park. To sit in the evening sun and drink one beer.
Until next hosting from Here :)
Anyway, she is working in a financing area and she got work related tickets for the concert on Tuusulanjärven Kamarimusiikkifestivaali (Tuusula lake's Chamber Music Festival). It was interesting to get the other-vip-ticket to there. The concert was in three parts: Hindemith's Four Temperaments, J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto nr 3 (G major) and never-seen-before Radioktet by Rinneradio, Pekka Kuusisto and Meta4. I really enjoyed a trip to Järvenpää and back, the concert itself. And we continued to look for a dinner place after 21.
We checked out Santa Fé, Barcelona Tapas and Michelle, but we ended once again to Kappeli. Kappeli is an old chappel hall in the middle of Helsinki. Food is basic, but quite good. Interior and athmosphere in there is magical, August night outside, drinking Kir royal and eating Mushroom Pelmeni. We felt like we would have been abroad, Esplanadi park was beautiful in evening dusk. We walked back to home via smaller streets. Enjoyed a bit more of german redwine and talked about human life.
Morning broke as a beautiful sight. It was light from the beginning, and after fast shower we decided to eat breakfast outside. I have had Krulla in my mind while thinking about late sunday-breakfast. Krulla on Fredrikinkatu was closed for the summer, so we continued to Ekberg Cafe. Had Salmon bread and coffee. It was delicious, but aunts tummy didn't somehow liked the stuff. We relaxed a bit in Esplanadi park before continuing to Stockmann to buy books from Akateeminen and kids clothes for my uncles babies, Emma and my god-daughter Ella. They are 2 and 1 yrs old, having same size of clothes. Quite the same situation with me and my older sister Elina, who ended up with 155cm, while I grew to 172cm.
We came home to relax a bit more, and then her bus left back to Varkaus. I had restless feeling, so I decided to do something. I called to Kaisa, visited her and fixed her computer a bit until we left for tram 3T ride to Kaivopuisto. In there we had ice-cream, sat on a coastline and talked about important things. She had to leave to see her boss and I came to home. Now I am here, but Teemu and Alisa (both HC-members) asked me to join for park-trip tonight, so I am leaving again. Now -- to Töölönlahti park. To sit in the evening sun and drink one beer.
Until next hosting from Here :)
torstai 2. elokuuta 2007
It's Not a Cry That You Hear at Night
I've had nice guests right after Faces. Eliina, Sintija and Liva (Eliina's shared flat is a HC-member) came from Latvia. Eliina is my Latvian teacher from Latvian Academy of Culture. She's as old as I am, nice girl who has a nice family. First Latvian who invited me to visit countryside home and terribly nice person in anyways. Girls were checking out the city, we talked Latvian (it was so great to notice that I understood all, had just a tiny problems to express myself. They stayed 2 nights, I wasn't at home all the time while they were here. Girls left to Latvia and left me invitation to visit them and also a great small stabule made of ceramics. What a voice with chromatic system.
In any sense, my week has been terrible disorder. I've been sick, lots of small accidents has happened. And besides all, I am really tired. So on Tuesday I got second guests Marianke and Ryanke from Netherlands (CS) . We had nice conversations about hospitality networks, they just started to use first. I made a good advertising for BeWelcome. On Wednesday girls went to see Suomenlinna and city and places and restaurants. I had to visit doctors and go to work with disabled kids on Olympic Stadium where Rolling Stones had a concert. I get out from work at 00:45 and met girls at Bar Loose, because I needed a beer.
Girls had booked a fastferry to Tallinn. It left 8:30 in the morning, so they left my place at 7:20. I slept until 11:30.
In any sense, my week has been terrible disorder. I've been sick, lots of small accidents has happened. And besides all, I am really tired. So on Tuesday I got second guests Marianke and Ryanke from Netherlands (CS) . We had nice conversations about hospitality networks, they just started to use first. I made a good advertising for BeWelcome. On Wednesday girls went to see Suomenlinna and city and places and restaurants. I had to visit doctors and go to work with disabled kids on Olympic Stadium where Rolling Stones had a concert. I get out from work at 00:45 and met girls at Bar Loose, because I needed a beer.
Girls had booked a fastferry to Tallinn. It left 8:30 in the morning, so they left my place at 7:20. I slept until 11:30.
perjantai 27. heinäkuuta 2007
Brief Stopping in Helsinki on a Way to Mongolia
Danny and Lucy from UK (CS) were visiting me shortly. They will stay in Helsinki some more days, but I am going to Faces today. I promised to host them while I totally forgot that yesterday was a gig of Stereophonics (UK). So I was a bit sorry that I couldn't be a good host for them. They just relaxed a bit yesterday: watched TV and read travelling books while I was on a concert.
Danny and Lucy are on a way to St. Piter, Moskva and through Siberian express to Mongolia and China. 9 weeks in total. They left UK right after graduation. Nice guests, I just hope I could have get to know them a bit better.
Now Faces, before that a bit of No Shame band singin' Nothing left to believe.
Danny and Lucy are on a way to St. Piter, Moskva and through Siberian express to Mongolia and China. 9 weeks in total. They left UK right after graduation. Nice guests, I just hope I could have get to know them a bit better.
Now Faces, before that a bit of No Shame band singin' Nothing left to believe.
tiistai 24. heinäkuuta 2007
Shopping with Credit Cards
Yesterday I met Verena (CS), from Munich, Germany. She was using cs for her first time and I was lucky to be her first host. It came out that she is funny, joyfull person in a similar sense with me, I enjoyed her company from the first point (though we both were tired of works or walks). We got some food from Stockmann store, just because I needed also a tv-antenna-cable and I knew that there will be food + cable at same place in Stockmann. And besides, Stockka has also good variety of food, which is a good thing... hmmm... cheeese. ;)
After those we came home and made a delicious dinner with fresh baked bread, tomato-mozzarella salad and spinach pancakes with cranberry jam and most of all: Oiva cider, which is a one of the best Finnish ciders. We talked about basises of hospitality: how many nights is easy to spend with other people, do you need to offer something else than a place to sleep, what if you have some problems with your guests.
I told her that I prefer 1-3 guest who are staying 1-2 nights, in special cases even more (like if I already know a bit of that person). I will offer them food if I am making for myself and a tea if they come later. On a morning I try to offer coffee or tea and bread with butter and cheese, if I have time to eat also. But mostly I kick the guests out for the time I need to be somewhere else than at home. I hope that my guests will understand that I am not available 24/7 to talk, that I need also own time. I told for Verena also about a small problems which I have had and also a good people whom I have met.
Later on the evening we were thinking about possibility to go to the bar, but we decided to skip it, because we were too tired. We made a bed for Verena just after Simpsons ended at TV (21:00) and were watching Surface and Sex and the City. While watching we talked about studies and universities, we found out that we're studying both a cultural studies: she just graduated for Cultural Anthropologist and I hope some day I will graduate for Ethnomusicologist (or Music Anthropologist) Right after that I decided that I am too tired and started to sleep.
Today we got lazy morning with breakfast and then went to shopping to Itäkeskus. Verena spend A LOT money to things and I bought just some crappy shower gel. Well, It was nice to see what there is to offer. We hurried back, and then she left with a lot of new clothes and shoes in her bag. Thank god for sales.
I've had a lot of HC and CS mails lately. I am hosting 1-3 persons in a week. Right now it feels correct, I don't need to think about my own life...
After those we came home and made a delicious dinner with fresh baked bread, tomato-mozzarella salad and spinach pancakes with cranberry jam and most of all: Oiva cider, which is a one of the best Finnish ciders. We talked about basises of hospitality: how many nights is easy to spend with other people, do you need to offer something else than a place to sleep, what if you have some problems with your guests.
I told her that I prefer 1-3 guest who are staying 1-2 nights, in special cases even more (like if I already know a bit of that person). I will offer them food if I am making for myself and a tea if they come later. On a morning I try to offer coffee or tea and bread with butter and cheese, if I have time to eat also. But mostly I kick the guests out for the time I need to be somewhere else than at home. I hope that my guests will understand that I am not available 24/7 to talk, that I need also own time. I told for Verena also about a small problems which I have had and also a good people whom I have met.
Later on the evening we were thinking about possibility to go to the bar, but we decided to skip it, because we were too tired. We made a bed for Verena just after Simpsons ended at TV (21:00) and were watching Surface and Sex and the City. While watching we talked about studies and universities, we found out that we're studying both a cultural studies: she just graduated for Cultural Anthropologist and I hope some day I will graduate for Ethnomusicologist (or Music Anthropologist) Right after that I decided that I am too tired and started to sleep.
Today we got lazy morning with breakfast and then went to shopping to Itäkeskus. Verena spend A LOT money to things and I bought just some crappy shower gel. Well, It was nice to see what there is to offer. We hurried back, and then she left with a lot of new clothes and shoes in her bag. Thank god for sales.
I've had a lot of HC and CS mails lately. I am hosting 1-3 persons in a week. Right now it feels correct, I don't need to think about my own life...
perjantai 20. heinäkuuta 2007
Towards Heat Waves in Finnish way
Well, Jesse (CS) came two days ago and we've been talking about Finland. And Finnish music and Finnish food and we compared just a tiny bit US and Finland. He left today to Tallinn to party in nightclubs with next CS-host. I wasn't in the good party feeling on these days, so my guest had to content for couple hours in the Bar Loose and Corona. But it wasn't just normal average days either.
I had to meet Jesse in railwaystation around 2.30pm, but 2.20pm I was still in a hospital with iron sticks/needles inside my nose, so I had to call for help. Teemu (teema in HC) came to save the situation. He picked Jesse up from Railwaystation while I was getting flushing in my sinuses. I picked up Jesse from Wayne's Coffee and we went to mine's. I was on a heavy drugs so I couldn't do much. Whole face was hurting, but I was brave in the evening and took guest + Teema, Katia, R, K and their cavaliers to Loose to hear my ex-study-mate Ville Leinonen to perform a lots of different kind of songs. I think we all liked those, even foreigns, though Ville played mostly in Finnish. From Loose we stopped to Corona for one beer and then home to sleep. For me, day was really tough, and I needed to get rid of bad energy while sleeping.
Thursday was beautiful in sense of weather, we went to seek centre and tastes of Vanha Kauppahalli (The Old Market Hall). After that Jesse cooked for me and my flatmate H some egg-plant + zucchini -stuff and some teriyaki Tofu. We had food-conversation about differences of Finnish and American/Hawaiian kitchen and laughed for thoughts which finns have about American food. I learned that the people in Hawaii eat lots of fish, tofu and rice. Pretty healthy food. In the evening of Thu we decided to walk again to the centre to see Underwater Sleeping Society to play in Espan lava (Espa stage). Espa stage is good place to enjoy summer Helsinki. There is free concert every working day (mon-fri) from beginning of July to the end of August. On July there's Jazz-Espa and on August Etno-Espa.
I had volunteer-meeting on skype with BW people. So I had to be home around 21. Jesse was watching TV with my flatmates. I hope he didn't get bored.
Today we woke up late again and had breakfast and talked about Finnish weather - how it is that we consider "heat" from 25 plus celcius degrees and for other people that is just ok. Personally I know that I feel dead at 30 degrees. But hey people, come on to check out Helsinki with -20 degrees plus wind from the sea. For me its not cold yet. I haven't been well on last couple days. Feeling sick (on a sickness leave) and trying to stay as much home as I can. I hope I did not ruined Jesses opportunities to find Helsinki.
I had to meet Jesse in railwaystation around 2.30pm, but 2.20pm I was still in a hospital with iron sticks/needles inside my nose, so I had to call for help. Teemu (teema in HC) came to save the situation. He picked Jesse up from Railwaystation while I was getting flushing in my sinuses. I picked up Jesse from Wayne's Coffee and we went to mine's. I was on a heavy drugs so I couldn't do much. Whole face was hurting, but I was brave in the evening and took guest + Teema, Katia, R, K and their cavaliers to Loose to hear my ex-study-mate Ville Leinonen to perform a lots of different kind of songs. I think we all liked those, even foreigns, though Ville played mostly in Finnish. From Loose we stopped to Corona for one beer and then home to sleep. For me, day was really tough, and I needed to get rid of bad energy while sleeping.
Thursday was beautiful in sense of weather, we went to seek centre and tastes of Vanha Kauppahalli (The Old Market Hall). After that Jesse cooked for me and my flatmate H some egg-plant + zucchini -stuff and some teriyaki Tofu. We had food-conversation about differences of Finnish and American/Hawaiian kitchen and laughed for thoughts which finns have about American food. I learned that the people in Hawaii eat lots of fish, tofu and rice. Pretty healthy food. In the evening of Thu we decided to walk again to the centre to see Underwater Sleeping Society to play in Espan lava (Espa stage). Espa stage is good place to enjoy summer Helsinki. There is free concert every working day (mon-fri) from beginning of July to the end of August. On July there's Jazz-Espa and on August Etno-Espa.
I had volunteer-meeting on skype with BW people. So I had to be home around 21. Jesse was watching TV with my flatmates. I hope he didn't get bored.
Today we woke up late again and had breakfast and talked about Finnish weather - how it is that we consider "heat" from 25 plus celcius degrees and for other people that is just ok. Personally I know that I feel dead at 30 degrees. But hey people, come on to check out Helsinki with -20 degrees plus wind from the sea. For me its not cold yet. I haven't been well on last couple days. Feeling sick (on a sickness leave) and trying to stay as much home as I can. I hope I did not ruined Jesses opportunities to find Helsinki.
maanantai 16. heinäkuuta 2007
First Guests on This Blog
I've hosted 4 persons in one week. I'm not sure what my flatmates things so dense tempo of guest, but for me this has been quite nice. I've had some free days and most of all, some free time.
All started while there was a Lithuanian guest Donaldas (HC) who came on friday evening to Finland. I had settled already some meetings with my friends for the evening, but I agreed to host this guy who was on a small trip to north. Donaldas is a student of history, he was interested about visiting sites like Cathedral and Suomenlinna Fortress. We walked around the city, from my flat to Kauppatori, where we saw old American cars, I think they have a meeting in Central market every friday evening. From there we walked through Design District to Fredrikinkatu and Loose, where I had to settle up a meeting with my friend M. Other friend K was on a trip from her home to meet me as well on that bar, so we stayed some hours there.
Donaldas drank one finnish beer (offered by me) and we talked really interesting topics, which we didn't quite share the opinnions, but still - he made me to think, that life is not everywhere like we have in Helsinki. Donaldas wanted to take some more night photos of Helsinki, so he left the bar and we met again at my home in the night. He had to left back to Estonia (visiting Saaremaa) on next morning, I bet before that he visited Suomenlinna. I was on a hurry to the works and from there to my friends wedding.
Next guests were a couple Auli and Cengiz from Turkey. They came on Thursday evening. The girl was finnish and a guy turkish, not quite common couple, and Cengiz was my first Moslem guest. I learned lot about Istambul where they live, and I genuinely enjoyed their company. We had a talk at my place, continued to bar-hopping (1 beer/1 bar). On a way to Corona (which is a quite known bar in movie-business) I met 5 friends who were going to see Hellacopters on same night in Tavastia. I was sad a bit, because I didn't have tickets to see that. Later on the evening I met some more friends and acquaintances who were going to see the gig as well. Cengiz saw a turkish restaurant (Pasha's) opposite of Corona and went say hi to the workers there. After that we continued to Loose (once again) and even later on to UKaleva on Kalevankatu to hear melancholic finnish songs, mostly about love. We felt tired all, and went back to home to sleep a bit.
Next morning we shared a nice breakfast (coffee, bread, cheese, tomatoes, juice) and during the night som of my friends (E, N and J) had came from to sleep on my couch. We did had a bit more conversation about Moslim-culture, Istambul and finnish culture until we went for shopping. Cengiz and Auli left on Friday to Tampere with shared ride to HC-meeting, where they never made.
During weekend I just met HC-couple Svetlana and Semeon from Russia (she's moldovian and he's russian), who were staying in the hostel. Still they ended up to my party (for closest friends) and after that to the bar(s) Loose and Stage. I didn't have much energy to sosialize much, but I learned where they came from and what they have found in Helsinki. They burned theirselves on a sun on friday in Suomenlinna.
Last guest came yesterday. Pekka (HC, finnish) came to see Metallica -concert to Olympic Stadium. We had met fastly in HC/CS/JD/BW-meeting in Turku, though he didn't remember it. I promised to host him, though he told he would come around 23-00 and leaving next day. Normally I consider heavily what kind of guest I will have (mainly calculate: do I have time, do I get some information what I would like to know, do I want to sosialize with person asking, do I really help person who is coming to visit and do they get something by meeting me -- not just staying on my floor), but this time it was ok to host someone I've met fastly. He came 23something and I offered him some bread. We talked something about music mainly and rested over the night. On monday we cooked together/separately (because I don't eat meat, just fish) and offered food also for my flatmate Suvi. He left to hitch-hike to Tampere. I don't know whether he made to Tampere or stayed somewhere in a middle on a motorway.
While all this week + couple of days, I've hosted my own friends too. They've used to use my facilities as an oasis in the middle of Helsinki. But well, they're using my hostel and paying back in friendship, which has lasted already years.
The aim of this blog is just to describe a bit what is life with intercultural communication, what do I do with these strangers from "outer space" and what kind stuff I do with guest and what I will show them in Helsinki. Not much though -- If someone feels offended with texts, I ask kindly to contact me and tell about it, so I can think what I will do for it.
Thank you, have a nice summer and be tuned for more guests. Next guest Jesse is coming on wednesday. And he's couchsurfer from USA.
All started while there was a Lithuanian guest Donaldas (HC) who came on friday evening to Finland. I had settled already some meetings with my friends for the evening, but I agreed to host this guy who was on a small trip to north. Donaldas is a student of history, he was interested about visiting sites like Cathedral and Suomenlinna Fortress. We walked around the city, from my flat to Kauppatori, where we saw old American cars, I think they have a meeting in Central market every friday evening. From there we walked through Design District to Fredrikinkatu and Loose, where I had to settle up a meeting with my friend M. Other friend K was on a trip from her home to meet me as well on that bar, so we stayed some hours there.
Donaldas drank one finnish beer (offered by me) and we talked really interesting topics, which we didn't quite share the opinnions, but still - he made me to think, that life is not everywhere like we have in Helsinki. Donaldas wanted to take some more night photos of Helsinki, so he left the bar and we met again at my home in the night. He had to left back to Estonia (visiting Saaremaa) on next morning, I bet before that he visited Suomenlinna. I was on a hurry to the works and from there to my friends wedding.
Next guests were a couple Auli and Cengiz from Turkey. They came on Thursday evening. The girl was finnish and a guy turkish, not quite common couple, and Cengiz was my first Moslem guest. I learned lot about Istambul where they live, and I genuinely enjoyed their company. We had a talk at my place, continued to bar-hopping (1 beer/1 bar). On a way to Corona (which is a quite known bar in movie-business) I met 5 friends who were going to see Hellacopters on same night in Tavastia. I was sad a bit, because I didn't have tickets to see that. Later on the evening I met some more friends and acquaintances who were going to see the gig as well. Cengiz saw a turkish restaurant (Pasha's) opposite of Corona and went say hi to the workers there. After that we continued to Loose (once again) and even later on to UKaleva on Kalevankatu to hear melancholic finnish songs, mostly about love. We felt tired all, and went back to home to sleep a bit.
Next morning we shared a nice breakfast (coffee, bread, cheese, tomatoes, juice) and during the night som of my friends (E, N and J) had came from to sleep on my couch. We did had a bit more conversation about Moslim-culture, Istambul and finnish culture until we went for shopping. Cengiz and Auli left on Friday to Tampere with shared ride to HC-meeting, where they never made.
During weekend I just met HC-couple Svetlana and Semeon from Russia (she's moldovian and he's russian), who were staying in the hostel. Still they ended up to my party (for closest friends) and after that to the bar(s) Loose and Stage. I didn't have much energy to sosialize much, but I learned where they came from and what they have found in Helsinki. They burned theirselves on a sun on friday in Suomenlinna.
Last guest came yesterday. Pekka (HC, finnish) came to see Metallica -concert to Olympic Stadium. We had met fastly in HC/CS/JD/BW-meeting in Turku, though he didn't remember it. I promised to host him, though he told he would come around 23-00 and leaving next day. Normally I consider heavily what kind of guest I will have (mainly calculate: do I have time, do I get some information what I would like to know, do I want to sosialize with person asking, do I really help person who is coming to visit and do they get something by meeting me -- not just staying on my floor), but this time it was ok to host someone I've met fastly. He came 23something and I offered him some bread. We talked something about music mainly and rested over the night. On monday we cooked together/separately (because I don't eat meat, just fish) and offered food also for my flatmate Suvi. He left to hitch-hike to Tampere. I don't know whether he made to Tampere or stayed somewhere in a middle on a motorway.
While all this week + couple of days, I've hosted my own friends too. They've used to use my facilities as an oasis in the middle of Helsinki. But well, they're using my hostel and paying back in friendship, which has lasted already years.
The aim of this blog is just to describe a bit what is life with intercultural communication, what do I do with these strangers from "outer space" and what kind stuff I do with guest and what I will show them in Helsinki. Not much though -- If someone feels offended with texts, I ask kindly to contact me and tell about it, so I can think what I will do for it.
Thank you, have a nice summer and be tuned for more guests. Next guest Jesse is coming on wednesday. And he's couchsurfer from USA.
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