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| Page Views: 358 | My exciting journey across the continent and back by annase - last update: Apr 17, 2008 |
I'm originally from one of the Nordic countries, Finland. I was born in Helsinki, the capital of Finland and lived there until I was about 5. After that I lived about 15 years in a place called Kajaani, somewhat 250 km away from the Arctic Circle and the climate is pretty arctic up there, reaching lows such as -32C in Winter, if you're unlucky!!!
Since I have always wanted to live abroad, in 1997, I decided to get a job "abroad". I had just finished my studies and had a chance to go either Israel or Norway for 3 months during summer. I was pretty serious about going somewhere and was ready sign a contract with either one of the hotels that were interested in hiring me. It turned out, however, that the Israelis only wanted to pay me peanuts whereas the Norwegians offered to pay me proper salary. I know it was "once in a life time chance" to go to Israel, but it wasn't difficult to make decision to go to Norway and earn loads of coronas instead. ;-)
I spent 3 months in the Norwegian fjord region near Bergen and noticed that this wasn't the right place for me at all. It was lovely during the summer months: warm, pretty and very international, but the life in the whole region slowed down for Winter.
A year later I was considering moving to Ireland for a year, but was put off by the prospect of working long hours in a pub or restaurant (again for peanuts) and decided not go after all. In 2000, I was thinking of going to Dubai, again for a year, but that didn't materialise in the end either. |
In Spring 2000, I got offered a job in the Netherlands and I moved there in July the same year. To start with I lived in Amsterdam, but later moved to Leiden, a city that became my home for two years. Although I only stayed in the Netherlands for a few years, I loved it and looking back it was a great decision to go. |
| Posh champagne lunch with former colleagues |
In 2002, I became a resident in the UK where I lived for 5 and a half years. For most of it, I lived in a place called Farnham, in Surrey, but I frequently visited London, since most of my mates are from the city and it just has the best shops and the best nightlife within a decent commuting distance from where I lived.
Before moving to Farnham, I lived in a picture perfect, but very tiny village called Alresford near Winchester for a little bit over a year. I didn't really like living in a village due to the fact that it was very tiny and there was absolutely nothing to do, since I am more of a townie really. |
| Pretending to be camera shy in Brussels |
After settling down in the UK for a longer period of time, I did spent one winter in the Belgian capital, Brussels, in 2006. Every now and then I get people saying how they are fed up with Britain and they would leave if it was possible. I actually like the country a lot - apart from the ever changing weather, of course, but other than that is fine ;-)
My ideal climate would probably be something like the one in Spain or the Caribbean, since I love sun, sea and the sandy beaches and I don't really dig the rain, chilly weather and cold wind. I keep on dreaming of a future in a sunnier place =) Having just said all that, I have recently made a decision go back to my roots and move back to Finland. The weather over there will be freezing in Winter, but I don't really mind. There is always the possibility to travel to the sunnier regions!!
This year, I have been living outside Finland for 8 years. I always planned to be away fro 10 years, but here we are: I am back two years earlier. Never mind. It's been an interesting time and a very exciting adventure which I would not trade to anything - even if I was able to do so!!! |
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leecouk12324 Sun Oct 18, 2009 17:37 UTC
How is the Finnish girl in England. Hope you are well? Lee | a2lopes Wed Jun 24, 2009 22:09 UTC
Hej Anna. Happy birthday and many happy returns of the day. Avnjuta midsommar (I had one in Suomenlinna :-) Greetings from Lisbon | Pinat Wed Jun 24, 2009 06:26 UTC
Happy birthday Anna! Nice homepage to start with. I'll definitely come back to check your travel pages and tips. Greetings from sunny Ankara... | sihi Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:43 UTC
Nice pictures!!! Welcome to see more in Estonia:) |
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