YOLO

I've been suffering from a huge travel fever lately, surprisingly.. I've been talking with friends and they all tell me to get out there to explore the world and the planet. Oh, and it really doesn't help since there is absolutely no sun in here. I have already forgot how it looks like and feels like. Last year, while being in Athens for my exchange (can't believe it's already been a year!), the first time at the beach was on the second of March.. Now, we are almost in the middle of March and we got about -5-15 and so much snow that I'm starting to wonder if it's ever going to melt away. Couple of days back it was actually one of the rare sunny days and I could even see dry asphalt! I was so excited that I even took a photo of it! ;) 

18.3 and still so much snow! :( 

My greek friend moved to Helsinki to do her Erasmus here so I've been really lucky since I can have some greek culture into my boring days and weeks. Greek coffee, music, language and cheek kisses have become a routine to me by now. :) 

Even tho my weeks are mostly boring; two jobs, trying to finally finnish my thesis and graduate, I still got something important going on also. My team finally made it to playoffs and the big and important games are on! It's a huge opportunity for us to try to win the Championship! Of course not forgetting how big chance it is for the national team's players to play well and give proofs for the coaches..

Regardless of that, not a day goes by without me thinking about traveling or looking at google maps and exploring new places which I'd want to go.. I found such a good finnish article about what do the 50 + people regret in their lives. The first point was: that they didn't travel enough 91 %! 

For those who can understand finnish the arcticle is below. 

What do you regret?

Couple of weeks back one of my facebook friends posted one article that I fell in love with! I've read it at least four times and for me it's inspirational, cause I always worry about things and hesitate whether or not I should travel. I can find pros and cons from every view from my life why I should or shouldn't travel. When I read the article, one part of it was like reading about myself. And basically it just hit me; I don't wanna be like that, I don't wanna be a coward who just talks about the ideas of traveling but never has the guts to fulfill the talks.

"I told her to travel. Hands down. No excuses. Just go."

"Yeah, but.." 

"This phrase is lethal. It makes it sound like we have the best of intentions, when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards while sounding noble."

Read the whole article below. It inspired me.

Why you should travel young?

The article was actually one of the last things that pushed me to do something I've dreamed of but never thought I would have guts to do it. I bought tickets to Thailand and I'm gonna pack my backpack and leave for an adventure ALONE on 16th of June for two weeks of traveling around! I'm so excited! I haven't planned anything yet, just decided that I'm gonna buy the ticket now. Τωρα η ποτε!  ;)

Last day with Marie in Finland :/

On Friday the 8th we woke up late in the morning  since we had some sleep debt from previous nights... This was the day that my friend wanted to try ICE SWIMMING. I had already figured a place for us to do it but when I called there turned out it wasn't that simple. In order to swim in the ocean (in the little hole) you needed to be a member of the club?!?! They didn't just allow you to try it once and pay for it. After calling to several places in Helsinki and near I found a place for us to do it. We drove to Vantaa Kuusijärvi (lake) where we could do it. We paid 5 euros for using the sauna and then headed to the locker rooms. It was so freezing already at the door when we walked outside. Just five minutes before we had winter clothes on and now we were basically without anything! 

FREEZINNNGG

Gotta say that even tho it's a maniac thing to do you do feel somehow fresh and light after doing it! :) If you are even a bit crazy you should try it! ;)

Then it was time to see the last sightseeing places in Helsinki that I could figure.. This Sibelius thing monument was rather near my place and there are always a lot of Chinese people there so I figured it's a place worth seeing..? :P There was no one there, except a lot of snow without any paths..

Sibelius monument

Then we drove to the biggest beach in Helsinki, Hietaniemi. And yes, we actually do have beaches. During the summer months (mostly July only) it can even get warm in here.. Now as you can imagine the beach is covered with snow. When we went there and were standing on the beach Marie asked me: "where is the beach and where is the ocean?"... 

Beach, Marie and the ocean..

After seeing "the beach" we were so cold that we decided to crab something to eat and since we were so close to the center we drove there, parked the car and went to eat tzatsiki and greek salad. ;) Later we went to my practise once again in Hyvinkää and when it was over we headed home to get changed and to spent the last night together. :/ We headed to the irish bar, and since it was Friday, it was already full of people after ten o'clock. We had a great night which we won't forget easily. ;) The service at the bar was pretty cool and we ended up going to an after party with the band, some random dudes and the bar workers in the band flat which was right next to the bar. We took a taxi to home around 6 am and and slept little over an hour and then headed to the airport. 

It was so sad at the airport to say goodbye to her, again. :( I hate being so far away but I'm happy for the technology since we can what's app to each other every day! I'm also happy that Marie got excepted to Bangkok for six months and I'm planning to visit her in June! I'm so excited and I really wish I can do the trip! So long for now and let's wait for the next adventure.. :P