Coming back

It´s been a long time since I´ve been here... Mainly because I haven´t had time to write, and when I had, I wanted to write about so manyt things it seemed a bit overwhelming. But my intention is statr writing more often again from now on.

These are some of the things I've been doing these months:

Travelling in Chiapas when my family came to visit in June...


Knitting...

But mostly I've been working with this:

My thesis. It's almost finished and I hope I can give it to my committee members by the end of the month. I just want to finish it!

And then there's also The House, that boyfriend and I bought and are renovating. But that's another story and I'll write about it more later.

Also, I'm going to open a new Etsy shop this week, so stay tuned!

Climbing to the highest top (or so we thought)

In January it was our fourth aniversary (well, actually we have been together longer, but we use as our aniversary the day I moved to Mexico four years ago). We celebrated it with a good dinner and a day trip to Nevado de Toluca, an extinct volcano near quite near here.

We left home early, because we thought we woudn't be the only ones to visit the national park on a sunny Sunday. All seemed to go well until about 40 km before the volcano. The signs for the park are quite badly placed, but we managed to find the right way anyway and thought we would arrive early. Well, we were wrong. The road to Nevado was in bad shape and there was a huuuuuge line of cars. The last 30 something kilometres took us no less than two hours! Some idiots had decided to park their cars on the road that already was very narrow, so at some points only one car could pass. The scenenary was pretty, though.


The national park has a parking lot that was full of people already when we finally got there. Even though lots of people visit the place, the parking lot is really badly organized. There are no maps of the walking routes, for example, and no one to ask for either. We wanted to climb to the crater, because I had heard there's a lovely lake in there. Because there were no signs, we just started to follow a path lots of people seemed to use. I'm not quite sure how high the parking lot is (the highest point of the volcano is about 4600 metres, so I guess the parking place must be at over 3000 metres), but after a while, the thin air made me feel bad. My lungs hurt and I started to feel dizzy. Luckily, after resting a while and drinking water I was good to go again. It was strange though, because when we climbed more, I didn't feel the altitude dizziness anymore.


The path passes though a lovely pine forest to the mountain meadows.


I was so happy with the snow! I've missed it. There were also these strange dry flowers.


The shortest way to the crater - climb right up, right?


And so we climbed...

And climbed... At some point my feet just came out on a strike and just wouldn't move. It was not so much that they felt tired or anything, they just refused to take a step even I was telling them to. One step at a time... There's only a little left...



Or so we thought. When we got to the top, we (and everyone who got there) just screamed "Oh noooo!" Because instead of the seeing the crater and the lake in front of our eyes, we saw this:


We probably could have gotten to the crater too, but by the time we were up, it was already almost 4 o'clock and the park closes at 5. There was no way we could have reached the crater and got back to our car in time. So we just ate our lunch, watched the lovely scenes and when we got cold - it was really windy up there, even the sun was shining so hot - we just decided to go back.
Later we heard that if we had walked the old road instead of climbing the paths, we would have probably reached the crater in time. But well, I think the trip was worth it anyway. I loved being in the nature, smelling the fresh air and exercising. We were really tired when we got home, but it was such a lovely day! And a perfect day to go, because there were no clouds at all (guess who got sunburned...).

The only thing we didn't like was the organization of the park. It sucks. The roads are bad (it also took hours to get away from the park, because of the traffic jams caused by non existent organization). The services in the park are really bad too. It's a shame, because it's such a beautiful place and with a bit of work, the locals could get some extra income and the national park could be better protected. But it seems that the state's governor is more interested in glueing his government propanganda everywhere telling what they supposedly have done, instead of actually doing anything.

Suomi, part 1

Here I am again... A lot of time has passed again since my last blog update, so I'll tell you about things that also passed some time ago: my trip to Finland in August.



I had actually thoguht about writing here already from Finland, I had a text in my head and all, but there was really no time for anything like that. Normally I'm busiest in Finland when I'm Helsinki and try to see everyone in the last few days, but this time I was running around all time. First due to an extra trip to Helsinki for friend's hen night and then to the fact that boyfriend came to Finland too. Both very nice reasons, though.


It was nice to be in Finland in August. Normally I go earlier in the summer, in June or July, but this time the wedding party made me travel later. That was great - I still got my bit of Finnish summer, but also a nice hue of Finnish autumn that I haven't seen since I moved here.


I have sometimes missed the Finnish autumn here. All the nature's colours (you should see the colours!), the crisp air, the smell of the autumnal forest, berries and mushrooms... The darkening nights, candlelight and the starry sky.

Why, then, haven't I reserved one of my trips to Finland in autumn? Well, it all may sound very romantic, and when the weather is fine, the autumn there is just lovely. But... it can also be raining in the most unromantic way, not always the ruska (the time when the leaves turn from green to yellow, orange and red) is bright and beautiful, and the autumn can be basically very grey and dishearting too. Do I want to take a chance with my trips? No.


But now I got both the summer and the autumn. I got to swim in the lake, eat icecream in the market place, eat strawberries and peas (both tradicional summer delicacies) AND I could also go picking mushrooms in the forest. Me likes!

Updating...

On Firefox the images and everything seems to work, so here you, some updates...

I have spent the past months mainly with the thesis (vacations from the university are for thesis writing, right? At least my advisor thinks so...). But I also had a nice guide/interpreter job in June. A group of Finns came here for a wedding, and although I didn't know any of them before, it was a nice week, even with little sleep. Simultaneous interpreting wasn't as difficult as I thought (of course I didn't have to translate totally exactly, which helped a lot). I also got to travel a bit with them. Most of the places where we visited, I already knew, but I got to know some new places too. And I definitively learnt a lot, as I had to find and learn by heart lots of information that I then told to my group.

Here are some pictures:

The Xochicalco piramids near Cuernavaca were very impressive. I hadn't visited there before, so it was really nice to get there. Not only the pyramids are awesome, but also the view from the top of the hill is amazing.



Taxco, the silver city (there a lots of silver smiths in the city and you can get good deals on silver jewelry), was one of our stops. I have been there two or three times before, but it's always a nice place to go.



Even though the thesis is taking a lot of time now, I have also knitted something. My Wilhelmiina was ready already on the first of June and I'm very happy with it.

Pattern: Neja's Wilhelmiina

Yarn: Novita Bambu

Needles: 3,5mm

I used Neja's pattern, but did some modifications. I added a lot of purl stitchesto the underarms and made the cable part much longer than in the original pattern (it wasn't supposed to be as long as in the pictures though - the upper part stretched quite a lot).

I have also been knitting a wedding shawl for my friend, and started also a top down tunic, but you'll get pictures of those later.

Trip to Finland, part 2

I got back to Mexico about a week ago, but haven't had time to blog before. The past week has included running around the university like crazy (everything important apparently has to be announced as late as posible), writing a paper for an international congress (I got the acceptance letter 4 days after the deadline for sending the papers) and being sick. Who knows where I got it, but apparently I have had some kind of parasite, and have tried to get over it the last days. Welcome back to reality...

But well, to nicer topics: I can finally show you some pics from my trip to Finland.

It was lovely to be in Finland and see everybody. Although when you live abroad, you notice who your friends really are and who want to see you when you visit. With some people I had the sensation of being a curiosity that comes far away and makes them feel bit awkward because I just don't belong to their lives anymore. But luckily there are still many many friends with whom it feels I was never away. And of course being with family is always very relaxing.

And while I love visiting Finland, and always wish I had more time to spend there, it's also good to be back home. Being a kind of a tourist, moving around all the time and living in other people's houses is also a bit tiring. Maybe someday I'll move back, but for now I'm happy this way. And I know that after living 3 years in Mexico, it would be difficult to adjust to Finland again. It certainly would take time.

I'm not saying that living in Finland wouldn't be easier in many ways. Mostly in practical things, as everything works quite smoothly there. But the mentality... Not that there aren't good things about that too. Talking straight and being (mostly) honest are very good things. But does everything really have to be planned at least 3 months in advance? And while in general things are pretty well there, lots of people seem to complain about everything and make problems out of things that aren't really real problems (I admit, I do complain too much too, and yes, there are also people with real problems there. But you get the point). In Mexico, there are lots of really serious problems, but people have very different attitud towards them. There are lots of joy and happiness, too. It kind of makes the problems easier to bear, I guess.

I have also noticed that while there is solidarity in Finland in general as a society - in the form of a good social security system and taxation that is quite fare, for example - this solidarity doesn't manifest itself in the individual level. People don't help each other - at least strangers - too much. In Mexico, things seem to be other way around: the society as a whole doesn't really care about the poor or the needed, but people are really helpful (at least if they are in the same social strata). I hope it could be possible to have both qualities in one place...

More generally, a combination of the best things in Finland and in Mexico would make quite a good society, I think. Meanwhile, I just have to live in between, always missing something from one country while I'm in the other.

Trip to Finland, part 1

I have been now two weeks in Finland. I spent the Christmas with my dear boyfriend, and then got here. I did finish my knitted presents before Christmas eve, by the way. You'll get the pictures of them when I go back home.

My tour here started in Tampere, the city where I grew up (and which is probably the best city in Finland). Then I got here to Lahti to meet more family and spend some time at my father's cottage. Only Helsinki left to go before I return to Mexico.

I have mainly read, knitted, met family and friends, enjoyed going to sauna as much as I can (I can easily spent couple of hours in sauna too) and of course made long walks to all my favorite places, like an old dog in his territory. I just love to walk in the forest and lake shores! I did some thesis-related stuff in the first days, too, but then I decided it's better to just enjoy the vacations.

I'm so happy that this time the global warming hasn't spoiled my little winter trip and at least in Tampere and Lahti there has been snow. I've missed it a lot, I haven't seen a proper winter in two years. I just love the sound of the snow under my feet, the humming of the wind in the snowy trees and the song of the lake under the ice.

I tried to put some pictures to prove that there really is snow, but Dad's computer doesn't want to cooperate, so next time...

A lovely birthday surprise

Last Friday was my 27th birthday, and my dear boyfriend decided to surprise me with a trip. On Friday we went to a restaurant and he told me we would stay the weekend in his house, so I would have to take some clothes with me. I had imagined that we would do something on Saturday, as boyfriend had insisted on that it wasn't a good day for a birthday party. Still I was happily surprised when he woke me up early in the morning for a weekend trip.

Whole trip he managed to keep it secret where we were going. It was excited to sit in the car and watch the beautiful scenes without having a slightest idea where we would end up. After three and half hours we arrived to our destination, Chignahuapan. Actually we didn't stay in the town itself, but in Aguas Termales de Chignahuapan, a hotel and spa with hot springs, which is outside of the town, in the mountains.

The place was lovely! The hotel lies in a small canyon, between the green mountains and beside a foaming river. It's quite isolated, which is only nice for a relaxing stay. And relaxing it was - the swimming in the thermal waters is just lovely. The best thing is that in the hotel rooms you have your own hot spring bath. Perfect for couples!

There are also some activities there. On Sunday we went to a nature walk in the mountains. The scenery is just spectacular!

On Sunday we also visited the town of Chignahuapan. It's nice and colourfull little place.

You can find lots of pottery there - and Christmas decorations. It was kind of funny to see the whole town full of Christmas spheres, some of them about 40 cm. Even though they were really beautiful, I only bought this clay pot. It's handmade, but it cost almost nothing. I love cooking, so it will be something useful!

I'm so happy after this weekend I'm still kind of floating in the air. This a was perfect birthday! Beautiful place, tranquility, walking in the woods, good food, relaxing in the hot springs, a romantic weekend... and all this with my loved one. What else can you ask for? I really really love that man!

Skeletons and trees of life

I'm still alive... I have thought about many things to write about, but I just haven't gotten into it lately. Well, I'll try to get more active again. And I will write about my trip to Finland too, but not now.

On Friday a friend of mine invited me with her to Metepec, a village near Mexico City. It's known for its crafts, mainly pottery. I have never been there before, so it was a nice day trip. As my friend needed to buy things for a restaurant in Finland, we spent the whole day looking for different kinds of ceramics.

We found some very nice places. I especially loved the Ortega family's workshop. The place itself was very beautiful, with pottery all over. They had even decorated the ground with it.

The main themes in the pottery in this village are trees of life and different kinds of skeletons, like the Catrinas (elegant skeleton ladies). Also the Ortegas had there workshop full of them. I liked a lot for example this Noah’s ark tree of life, which was about 75 cm high and had taken them more than a month to make.

I fell in love with this lovely lady, although unfortunately I couldn’t take her home.

Although there were so many lovely things, I only bought two gifts and well… these boxes for myself. You’ll see them in the future here, after I have the time to decorate them.


I have finished some things too, like a cable sweater for myself and a hummingbird themed yarn painting, but you'll see them later.

Home sweet home...

The second workshop on education is over and I'm happily back in Mexico City. It was nice and interesting and a bit less stressing than the first workshop, but I'm still glad that I'm done with it. This time I was sent to Acapulco. Here's the view from my hotel:

Buuuut.... here's where I spent my time:

Well, I actually could spend some time on the beach too, but not as much as I would have liked... Any way, it's nice to get some touch of the reality between the studies. And besides, my group gave me lots of gifts too: one huipil (a traditional Mexican dress), a painted wooden box and a beach dress that I didn't photograph. I guess they liked me!

In order to keep myself busy now that the workshops are done (as if there wasn't enough to do with the studies!) I decided to star my very first lace shawl. To keep things more interesting, I have to finish this Lehmus-scarf next week - I want to use it on Saturday on friends' wedding. We'll see if I can finish it by then...

Back in town...

Here's some chocolate for you! It's a present from my workshop group.

I'm back to Mexico City after my workshop in Chilpanchingo. Interesting and challenging experience, I learned a lot. But it was very tiring too, I have to admit. I have never facilitated a workshop alone for three days, and it really takes all your energy.

I was prepared to encounter some difficulties, especially after I heard that the teachers and school directors who participated in the workshop, had only been told about it the night before it started and were pretty pissed off by that. But my group turned out to be very nice! They worked well together and I think we managed to create a warm atmosphere so everyone felt comfortable enough to speak. I had only one difficult person that joined the group on the second day. He created some negative energy complaining all the time that instead of participating in some useless workshops he should be directing his school and teaching the kids. But finally I won him over too. The third day, when they were telling their feelings about the workshop, he was also saying how important it is that the teachers make the most of the workshops they are offered. I think that was my greatest victory in the workshop!

I learnt a lot about the conditions of the teachers in rural communities in Guerrero state. Nothing to envy, definitively! The salaries are very small and they even have to pay for themselves the sometimes very long trips to the communities where they teach. The material resources are also very scarce. Sometimes they have computers, for example, but not the electricity to use them.

What comes to Chilpanchingo as a town, I really can't recommend it. It's small and ugly and the people aren't very nice - except for my group, of course. We had even difficulties to take taxis - for some reason they always turned away when they saw two foreign girls (my friend was there too as a facilitator for another group). That doesn't happen often in other parts of the country. I'm glad to be send to some other place for the next workshop, even if I'd love to work with the same group (and they wanted me to go back).

Weekend on the beach

Last Saturday boyfriend and I had our second official aniversary (yes, some of you may have noticed that we actually have been together longer, but it's a long story), so we decided to get out of the City.

We had thought about two options: Patzcuaro and Acapulco. I have this obsession about San Juan Parangaricutiro, a village that was buried in lava in the 1940's, but it was just too far away this time. Well, as you can see in the picture, we chose Acapulco instead of culturally more interesting, but much colder Patzcuaro.

And I think it was definitively a good choice for the aniversary weekend. It was relaxing, even though we didn't get much sleep (some kids started to scream at the pool at 7 a.m.). And oh so warm! During the day the temperature was over 30 degrees and even in the night we were sweating when we walked in the center. Nice change for the cold Mexico City! Besides there weren't so much turists now, which is always a plus.

I really can't complain: sunny weather, swimming in the warm see, walking on the beach, good food, sparkling wine for breakfast - and of course all this in the company of the man of my life. What else could I ask?

Mexico - warm??

Many people may have this idea that Mexico is a warm place. Well, it isn't! At least if it's winter and you aren't lucky enough to be in some of the beautiful Mexican beaches. Right now in Mexico City (not even to mention the Northern parts of the country) it's pretty cold...

Ok, maybe it sounds silly to be complaining about the cold, when during the day the temperature have been something like 18 Celsius degrees (during the night about 1 degree). It's not that cold, I know. But the thing isn't really the outside temperature, but the fact that it's freezing cold inside the houses. Last night I was sleeping with two pajamas, woollen pullover and a fleeze jacket, and of course two pairs of woollen socks. And I was still cold. Hrr! I'm eternally thankful to my grandma for making me a pair of woollen hand warmers that let me study in my fridge (read: my home) without my fingers turning blue.

My advice for anyone coming to Mexico in winter - bring your woollen socks with you! Except if you are going to the beaches or to the jungles of Chiapas.

Luckily on Tuesday we made a little day trip to Cuernavaca, a city that is about an hour away from here. The climate is very different, as you get down from the mountains where the capital lies. It was lovely, the city is beautiful and it was nice to enjoy some sun and warmth. I don't have any pictures, though, I had only my "old fashioned" systems camera with me.