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Finland is usually unpleasant cold but sometimes its harsh conditions are absolutely breathtaking. I would try to describe and explain something that I saw some weeks ago when the temperature decreased to -30ºC. Owing to the low temperature and the high humidity part of the water flying into the air froze so walking in the street a frozen rain of crystals surrounded me; it was like going through an ice curtain. During the day, the buoyant ice travelling with the air stuck in the branches of trees and in this bike for example. However the best was yet to come. Riding back home at night I looked back, where the city is and I saw something really spectacular: huge light pillars arising from an orangish horizon.  It is usually quite dark in here but that unique night was totally bright. Nice view that unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy longer because -30ºC is serious staff. This meteorological-optical phenomena Leer el resto »

Hola amigos, así es, día duro en Kuopio. No alarmarse, sigo vivo; no hay cobertura tan arriba. La mañana empezó con el protocolo común: señor hablando en finés en el radio-despertador (es mucho peor que despertarse con la cope), situarse, comprobación de constantes vitales, remoloneo, "cuento 10 y me levanto"... y una hora después ya estaba en la cocina sucia de cada día. Café, "parece que hay mucha nieve hoy", zumo, "joder que frío hace", galletas, apartar la mierda de "Pilo", cereales, fregar, acicaladura... Esta mañana era importante porque iba a reunirme con el coordinador para básicamente pedirle trabajo o que me aconsejara qué hacer para conseguir algo remunerado en la universidad. Hasta aquí la cosa iba según lo previsto. La primera variante llegó al meter las Leer el resto »

As the good weather left already, now is time to reconsider doing some kind of social life inside, this might seem closed, but closed is a word which is far from telling the truth about the world of possibilities we have in Kuopio. From life concerts to starting to learn how to play african drums. You can go swimming in any of the lakes if you feel strong enough or just something easier like going to the swimming-pool... In Kuopio Halli there's a wide offer as well, apart from an athletics track, you can enjoy playing volleyball, tennis... but what I found more interesting is its rock climbing structure where people who climb amanzingly well give also a chance for those not so stylised. Kompassi is  a cultural center where free Finnish courses are offered and some other interesting activities take place throughout the week-days, everyone in there is really kind and they are all helpful when you need something. It is Leer el resto »

Today I want to offer you a piece of what I am living here concerning the weather conditions. As i said before the nature is permanently changing, but I didn't expect this. One day I just woke up and had lectures early in the morning, so I left without thinking, next thing I remember is me in my way to the university, surrounded by thousands of snow flakes getting wet, my coat isn't the best choice for a snowy weather (now I know it! ). By the time I arrived, my shoes were completely wet and the ground was covered by a layer of snow. Since that day I decided to wear everyday my hiking boots, but the only day they were needed was that day, and now I can´t stop wearing them! I'm sure that if I stop it they will be useful as ever!

Finns are said to be quiet and reserved people.  Although one must be careful with generalizations, my experience so far confirm it. Just a couple of example to show it. At the Tampere railway station me and my friends had a doubt about the cabin and we walked towards the ticket inspector who was in the platform. He saw us and surprisingly he ran away from us. It became something like hunting him running behind. Inexplicable flight.   The second and maybe the most sticking sign, are my flatmates. This is everything I know about them.      I reckon that the language barrier is quite high sometimes and it hampers the interaction because not to many Finns speak English. You will never find problems at the University but it isn’t so easy in the street. Anyway I have to say that I like Finland and its people. I shouldn’t forget that I’m who don’t speak the native language.  

I was about to make my dinner one night when I saw the email about the jamon quiz. The menu that night was one horizontal piece of salami surrounded by two parallel slices of bread, a.k.a. sandwich. While eating such a delicious meal I couldn’t get off my mind the idea of having jamon and cheese in my sandwich instead of bland and the cheapest piece of “meat” I found in the supermarket.  I like sandwiches, so my challenge here is having a toast with a Spanish wine next time I eat this: MUSHROOM-SALMON SANDWICH INGREDIENTS for 4 erasmoos ·         25 grams butter ·         250 grams mushrooms ·          250 grams brown bread (I prefer brown bread because it seems tasty to me and it’s healthier) ·         25 Leer el resto »

Today I'll post something that I think that can be useful for everyone and that seems to be a parallel world, where almost everything can be bought at afordable prices. I couldn't image how successful this stores were in this country, until I could see it personally. Five of them are spread all over the city center in Kuopio. And the thing is, why buying something new but also expensive (considering the level of prices in Finland) when you can find  the same item with all its functionality that is sold at bargain prices!! Almost all items are in good conditions, but it is here as well, where you can find out how special and different the people in this country are, any of you would buy second hand underwear? I've bought two hats for 1.80 € and a pair of gloves for 3€!  

To start I would like to show some pictures that have been taken throughout my first weeks here.  Over all, it is a must to say that nature here is something captivating that makes you take part of its evolution while living your life day after day. Since I came here the landscape has changed in such a way that I couldn't have imagined before, and I can only think that this is the beginning!