Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Finland - The Surprise!

Hey everyone!

A new semester at university has started, which I celebrated by going to Finland, because traditions have to be kept in order! Although this time I did a little differently. I did not tell anyone, except for my host siblings Emilia and Oskari, that I was coming. I flew to Helsinki, where Emilia lives, on a Sunday and then we traveled together for 5 hours to our home near Tampere on Monday. To the person responsible of public transport in Tampere, please make the connections a little better! My host family had no idea of what was about to happen. Their faces were just priceless! Best idea ever!

On Tuesday, Emilia and I went to the city centre in Tampere to treat ourselves. Emilia had a haircut, we went to a little cafe for some coffee and a pastry, and then we went shopping! In the afternoon, I went to walk the dogs with Pablo, the Spanish exchange student my family is hosting at the moment. It was nice to get to know him and talk about the things we had both noticed about the Finns and their habits.

Wednesday, I again went to the city to meet my friend Samuli. I had also surprised him on Monday by sending him a message to ask if he wanted to go eat a waffle with me. He admitted that he first thought that he would be kidnapped by the Belgian mafia. Thank you, Samuli, for making me laugh so much! Later that day, I surprised my second host family with the help of my host brother Oskari. I do not regret anything! That was also the day I decided to make a video of my trip, with the help of Samuli of course. You can watch the result by clicking here!

For the rest of the week, I just hung out with my host families, and friends. I visited my favourite places, walked in the forest with the dogs and also went to say hi to the teachers at my Finnish school. During the weekend, I decided to "take it easy", which apparently means "help your family build a wanna-be-beach". The view of the frozen lake and the sound of the snow under my shoes made it quite worth it though!

On Monday, I took the bus back to Helsinki where I stayed with Emilia for a couple of days. I wanted to take a few days to visit the capital because I thought it was a bit of a shame that I didn't know the city that much even though I've been coming to Finland regularly for the pas 3,5 years. Emilia did a great job at showing the nicest places: the white cathedral, the Russian church, Suomenlinna (a beautiful island), a church which was built in a rock (I don't remember the name, sorry!), Hietalahden Kauppahalli (a covered market place), Tornihotelli (a hotel where you can just go to the top floor and enjoy the wonderful view), the Sibelius monument, and of course Löyly (the most famous public sauna in Helsinki).


All in all, it was a wonderful trip and I enjoyed it very much! It was great to notice that after all this time, I am still welcome and people really do appreciate that I come by once in a while. It is very motivating and encouraging!



Thanks Milla for this pic!



View of the lake at my host family's mökki


Yes, everything is frozen and you can walk on it! 






The White Cathedral in Helsinki


The library at Helsinki University 



The ceiling of the Russian Church in Helsinki



Ceiling of the Church in a rock


The church in a rock as seen from the balcony


The Sibelius monument


View from under the Sibelius monument





On our way to Suomenlinna


The White Cathedral and Russian church








Tuesday, January 17, 2017

December (part 2)

Hey everyone! 

How are you all doing? Did you enjoy the holidays? 

As I have mentioned before, my December was pretty busy. As most of you know, I study Swedish at university. On the 13th of December, the Swedish department celebrated Saint-Lucia, a Christian feast in honour of Lucia, a martyr from the 3rd century. She is known for helping the Christians who were hiding in the catacombs by bringing them food. She worn a crown of candles to keep her hands free so she could carry more.  

Nowadays, Saint-Lucia is celebrated in the Nordic countries and some parts of Italy. The celebration announces Christmas and the arrival of the Light of Christ. Choirs organise processions, through the city, or in schools, or in a church. The singers, mostly women, are wearing a white dress, with a red sash to represent Lucia's martyr blood. At the university, we celebrated Saint-Lucia by organising a little gathering. Everyone brought food, there was a little choir, which included me (!!), a quiz about Sweden, and great company!



As every year, I spent Christmas eve with my parents at home. We decorated our tree, wrapped the gifts for our family, and sang silly Christmas songs. The next day, my parents and I went to my aunt and uncle's new home for a big Christmas dinner with the whole family. It was very nice to have the whole family together again! Plus, the food was delicious! That evening, I started a puzzle with my parents, as we now do every year. The puzzle consisted of 4 paintings by Gustav Klimt. It took us two weeks to finish it even though we lost one piece - the vacuum cleaner probably stole it. 


For New Year's Eve, I went to my best friend's to celebrate with her family. We just spent the evening eating, and watching TV. At Midnight, we did a little dance and gave each other gifts. I received a great pyjama and a pen holder (painted by my best friend herself). 


2016 ended well for me, I hope it was the same for you! I wish you all the best for 2017! May all your dreams and wishes come true! 

Saturday, December 17, 2016

December, part 1


It's that time of the year again! When there's a reason to eat way too much almost every week: Halloween, Saint-Nicholas, the Finnish Independence Day, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and if you're a university student, studying well.

I didn't do much for Halloween, just a dinner in costume with friends. But for Sinterklaas, I went the whole nine yards! The first part of my celebration, was an AFS party to introduce the concept of Saint-Nicholas to the exchange students. The party included a visit from the "real" Saint-Nicholas and his helper Piet (also known as me). Each exchange student was asked to come forward and talk to the Saint while he read (the emails sent in advance by the host parents) from his big book. The big book consisted of funny anecdotes and some of the things the students had already achieved. After their talk with Saint-Nicholas, the exchange students received a special bag of candy from Piet and we all ate pancakes together.

A couple of days later, the actual day of Saint-Nicholas (December 6th), I had 3 reasons to be happy: Sinterklaas, Finland's Independence Day and Creative Writing Group's Christmas edition. That day, I just enjoyed spending time with my friends and wrote some silly stories. It was simple but fun!

Simile Magazine represented at Creative Writing meeting 


Just because I'm proud of that flag 





Monday, November 14, 2016

Thuis is Overal: India, Italy, Turkey

Hello everyone!

Last weekend was this year's first edition of Thuis is Overal (home is everywhere), a project that I introduced to my AFS chapter last year. It is an opportunity for the exchange students to present their home country and serve delicious food. On top of that, it is a good opportunity for everyone in our chapter to get to know each other.


Last year, the exchange students gave a general presentation about their country. This time, we decided to turn things around and focus on stereotypes and the daily life of the students. First, I asked the audience to name a few things and stereotypes they knew about Turkey, India and Italy (the countries presented during this edition). Most of the things that were named had to do with food, politics and landscapes. Then, the audience could ask the exchange students specific questions about a special subject, namely food and cooking. The students talked about who cooked in their family, what their habits were regarding breakfast, lunch and dinner, and if there are any special traditions in their family.

Ulaş, our exchange student from Turkey, said that his mother cooked most of the time at home, although they often go out because his parents are very busy and do not always feel like cooking. On special occasions, Ulaş's mother cooks with his grandmother. Giuseppe and Francesca, our Italian ambassadors, said that both their parents cook at home, or their grandmother. As in Turkey, the Italian mothers and grandmothers cook together on special occasions. Niyati, our favorite Indian, explained that her family has servants, as most Indian households do apparently. Niyati rarely cooks herself, but her father likes to make fancy food – I am not sure what that means to be honest – from time to time.


Afterwards, it was time for the exchange students to react on the stereotypes named earlier. Ulaş admitted that about half the population in Turkey smokes, so that stereotype is correct. Giuseppe insisted on saying that not every Italian, and especially his fellow Sicilians, are not all in the maffia. Francesca reassured us by explaining that they are not arrogant and the men are not macho's. Niyati did not understand why people keep saying that Indian people have a funny accent when speaking English. It is just how they talk. To Niyati it seems pretty normal compared to the posh British accent and the silly American English.

Finally, it was time to eat! Niyati, Francesca, Giuseppe and Ulaş had prepared some small typical dishes. There was bulgur, wine leaves filled with rice, tiramisu, samosa and padoka, which are Indian fried appetizers. I think it was the first time I ate Indian food that did not make my mouth feel like it was on fire. While everyone was eating, still a lot of questions were asked about the countries of our exchange students. Everyone seemed to enjoy learning more about the exchange students' lives and families. I hope the next edition, in March, is also such a success!





Thank you everyone for participating with so much enthusiasm, and thank you Gilbert Verbeken for the pictures! 

Monday, November 7, 2016

Welcome to Ecuador!

Hello everyone!

As some of you know, I was in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time in South America, and my second stamp in my new passport. Yes, I get excited for stamps. They represent my life experiences!

Anyway, I was there with my mother for Habitat III, a huge conference organised by the United Nations in order to present and adopt the new sustainable development goals and the new urban agenda. Mom was there to represent Yellow Design Foundation, and I was there to observe and witness this historic moment. I was quite impressed. I had never seen 40,000 people coming together for just one thing.

On our first day at the conference, mom and I met Wilson and Maria-Christina, two friendly people who were there to promote the company Wilson works for. We started talking and they offered to show us around the city. The next day, we all went to the Mittad del Mundo, the centre of the world, and our first touristic outing. It is the place where the Equator passes by. There is a monument where you can go inside, climb to the top and see a wonderful panorama of the city. On your way back down, you can learn about the science behind the “centre of the world” and do some scientific experiments. On the site, there are also some other little 'museums', such as the palace of chocolate and a planetarium. We could also pet lamas, which can be very exciting when you are jetlagged. Some people also decide to get married there in a little church, which is half in the Northern hemisphere and half in the Southern hemisphere. It is a nice metaphor for uniting the world.



Mom and I with Maria-Christina and her daughter Daniela





The following day, I was lucky enough to be present at the opening ceremony of the conference. Ban Ki-moon (Yes, I had a fangirling moment), Rafael Correa (the president of Ecuador), Nicolas Maduro (the president of Venezuela), among others, spoke during that ceremony. I have to admit that I did not understand most of the speeches as they were in Spanish. Although, I did seem to understand that most countries want to develop their public transport network in order to increase the level of clean air in the cities and make people healthier. Being a part of this ceremony was special for me, as I am just a language student. Maybe, in a couple of years, I will experience something like this again, but as someone slightly more powerful?


While mom was networking and attending sessions and round tables, I studied for school, or hung out in the city. I spent some time wandering around in the city. Oh how I love getting lost in a city! I am only half kidding actually. I found a cute little church not far from our hotel but I have no idea how it is called, or what it looks like on the inside – I was not allowed inside as there was a ceremony going on. I also found a little park and the most delicious empanadas (if anyone knows where I can find some in Brussels or Gent, let me know). Mom and I had agreed to have lunch together but I did not have a phone to let her know that I was running late. So in the meantime, mom was waiting for me at the site of the conference (downside of getting lost).

Talking about finding things randomly, mom and I were looking for a restaurant to have dinner in one evening, when we came upon what looked like a religious parade. I had never seen something like it! So many colors! So much music! So many people! I had never seen anything like it, and, to be honest, I still do not know what it was exactly. I wanted to take as many pics as I could, which meant that I sometimes blocked the view of other people but they did not seem to mind that much. The people in Ecuador are very nice, helpful and generous! Whenever I had to ask them a question, they answered politely and with detail!





The same night, we went to see the Light and Sound festival at the Santo Domingo convent. Every evening that week, an animation was projected onto the facade of the convent. Fun fact: the animation was made in cooperation with some people from Lyon (France). Mom and I had visited the convent during an event that was organised by the Belgian delegation of the conference. This was done to promote the fact that the restauration of the convent had been sponsored by Belgian organisations. What struck me is that the convent sort of resembled some religious buildings I had seen in Spain. I had expected a bigger difference in the architecture of both countries. 



One afternoon, about half way our stay in Quito, I met my friend Verito. She was on exchange in Finland the same year as I was. We had met there and had not seen each other since our exchanges ended. We went to the Panacillo statue together. This statue represents a Virgin looking over the city to protect it. It actually has a similar story as the Statue of Liberty in New York. The Panacillo was also given to Ecuador by France. Both statues were brought over to their respective countries in pieces, each of which had a number, and assembled at the place where the statue still stands today.

When you get to the Panacillo, you notice that the statue stands on a piedestal and a globe. The stairs to go to the top of the statue are in the piedestal. On your way up, you can also see pictures of when the statue was assembled and you can read about what the statue really represents. The stairs end in the globe. On the inside walls of the statue, you can still see the numbers which helped the assembling of the statue. Then, you can go outside, admire the wonderful panorama and look up to the Virgin. I was in awe! Quito looked so big and pretty. I felt small. On a sidenote, Quito is actually forty kilometers long and seven kilmoters wide. It is a big city! Plus, it is in the mountains, so walking around is a good workout wherever you decide to go.


When Verito and I came back down from the Panacillo, we visited the little market, which was located next to the base of the statue. We tried some typical Ecuadorian food. I had an empanada and a drink with pineapple, it also had other fruits but I do not remember their names. I should have written it down... I also bought some souvenirs, I am now the proud owner of an Ecuadorian purse.

To go back to the city, Verito and I took a bus. It was quite different than taking a bus in Belgium! The busses were less 'stable' so I had to hold myself constantly, otherwise I would fall off my seat. The busses were very cheap though, only 25 cents – Ecuador uses the US dollar as a currency. The wonderful view made it all worth it. Verito and I ended the evening at a chocolate shop which also has a little cafe. I ordered a hot chocolate, of course, and a quesadilla. The chocolate was a bit more bitter than I expected, because there was no sugar at all in it, it still tasted good though. The cups were interesting too! It was completely round, and the thing to hold the cup was 'carved' into the cup. I know this explanation is not clear, so I tried to 'draw' it – the brown part is the hot chocolate.


That evening, mom and I went to have dinner with the mayor of Matale (Sri Lanka). We were sitting on the terrasse of a little restaurant. Next to us, there were three older men who looked like they had been friends for a long time. Mom started talking to them, in Spanish. I tried to be a part of the conversation but I was not very succesful. One of the men, Augusto, noticed I was having trouble with Spanish so he started talking to me in English. I noticed he spoke very good English, I asked him where he had learned it. His answer was surprising in a very good way! Here's an excerpt of our conversation:

Me: where did you learn English so well?
Augusto: I studied in the USA.
Me: Oh, how did you get there?
Augusto: I got a scholarship!
Me: From which organisation?
Augusto: American Field Service!
Me: *gets slightly excited* I'm sorry, what?
Augusto: American Field Service
Me: *gets very excited* Oh my god! I am an AFS'er too! I went to Finland!

It turns out that Augusto went on exchange with AFS to the USA in 1966! We spent the rest of the evening talking about our respective experiences. I find it very funny and interesting that even though Augusto and I went on exchange in very different times and in very different countries, our experiences had some similarities. This shows, once more, that the basis of humanity is actually simple and not that different according to where you are born or which religion you have, or who you choose to date. Being a human is thus simple and getting along with everyone should not be a problem. Meeting Augusto is a moment that I will cherish forever and I hope that we can keep in touch!

One of Augusto's friends recommended us to go on a little daytrip to Cayambe, Otavalo, and Ibarra. We went there two days later. The taxi came to pick us up at 8:30 in the morning – thank you, coffee - and then we drove to Cayambe. The driver told us that the city was often visited by tourists because the Equator passed by there and they could take pictures next to the little monument. He also told us the city is known for its hot chocolate with nata (cream) and bizcochos (a typical pastry) . We, of course, just had to try those - because we were hungry (and cold). On our way, we stopped to take pictures of a big lake – I do not remember its name sadly, it was in Quechua – and a volcano.

Otavalo is actually an average city architectural wise. People mostly go there to meet indigenous Ecuadorians who still dress traditionally, and to see the lovely landscapes along the way. There are a lot of lakes in the area. When we arrived in Otavalo, we walked around in the market on the Plaza de los ponchos. Mom bought a few scarves and sweaters made of alpaca wool (the best kind of wool, in my opinion), and a chess game featuring the Spanish conquistadors and the local indigenous population. Apparently, the colonial history is still remembered and people like to remind the Europeans of it. I also received two traditional belts, which are also great to support my aching back.


After our (little) shopping spree, we went to have lunch in, what felt like, the middle of nowhere. The restaurant was located on a road where there were not many buildings. We got to sit in the garden. The only thing I could see was nature, mountains, and nature again. A real lunch with a view! Ecuadorian food does not have that much variation, except when it comes to juices and drinks. I do not think I had the same juice twice in the whole week we spent there. I discovered many new types of fruits, such as guyabano and taxo. On our way back, we stopped in Ibarra for an ice cream, they are famous for it. Again, if someone knows where I can find taxo ice cream in Belgium, let me know.


On our last day in Quito, mom, Verito and I went to the teleferico, an elevator to the top of a mountain. Everyone had told us it was a must, and they were right! When we arrived to the top of the mountain, the view was so impressive. I felt so small, again. I, briefly, forgot how cold it was and that I was out of breath due to the height. We walked further up the mountain to reach the highest top. It was a bit too cold though so we stopped at 4100 meters.



When we came back to the city, Verito and her father took us to see the Museo del Alabado, a museum about Pre-Colombian art and culture. I learned so much. I also understood everything, all the pieces were arranged according to a specific theme (eg general facts, the relationship the indigenous people had with their ancestors, the shaman and their religious traditions, etc. What I liked the most was that most pieces of art had some humor in them, even though some of them had serious roles in religious ceremonies. The museum was a nice educational and pleasant way to end our trip. The time had come to run to the airport and hurry through security.

In short, I had a good time in Ecuador and I hope to be back soon so I can visit more interesting places and learn more about South America!