Alea iacta est

It's finally here, the wailing update! For a while now I've been feeling pretty bad here, since the other guys are always watching movies or something together and I'm never invited. I've hoped, already in the last course, that it's because I live here in isolation in upper most room. However, none other living here has any problems, so it's me. I got to say I'm really hurt I'm never invited. First I thought it was onlybecause you should be in the kitchen and they invite everyone there, but one time I and other guy were in kitchen and he got invitation, not I. I went there any way, and it was quite shit. Horrible being somewhere where you haven't been invited.



Last week we did a trip to Campania. It was exhausting. First it was shit, then fine, then again shit. Why can't it be shit all the time, so I could just give up?! We had to live 3 persons in one room, 2 in another. What a surprise, I was isolated with that weird girl, who isn't any way more weird than I, but I still want better, I deserve all I can get. I thought they should've ask us what we want to do, but of course if they want to be together, they should. In Naples we were isolated from others in another corridor, and I was so scared we wouldn't be asked to do anything with them. But at Salerno we were opposite the boys, and still they climed to upper floor to be with the other girls without knocking our door. We were the "good girls", who shouldn't be messing with the others.



Yesterday we made plans in Capitolium museums to meet at 1 pm to have lunch. Us two waited 20 minutes, when I got an sms to say they went to lunch and if we wanted we should follow them. I "knew" (in my sick mind) that there was something afoot, but the other girl, so innocent, didn't think anything weird and wanted to follow. Apparently they'd being eating quite a while when we got there, the one girl just said oh, sorry about that. Fucking cunts. And yesterday they went all out to eat together, without us two, and today to see the new pope. I think at least the pope is so big a deal they should've asked us.




The problem with the other girl is, that she, for some reason, when we stand in a circle, moves in fornt of me, pushing me out of the circle. I don't know if the others even notice it, at least no one does anything. I could always try to find a new hole to go into, but that would mean I should bring something to the ring, but I just take. I can't speak. Now maybe I should abandon any hopes I've had about getting friends and start living full life alone. But yet I rather stay here than go back home being totally alone. Here at least some people say chiao for me.



Weather isn't really cheering me up. First picture is from trip back from Etruria, second a picture from my room, third is from Cosa, and last, a little sunshine, from Ravello in Amalfi coast.

When in Rome, drink what the Romans drink

I'm again in Rome, I didn't die on the way in here! I had two bad lucks, and so I was waiting for the 3rd, which happened quite early so I didn't have to be afraid the whole day. Firstly, I gained a body security check on the airport. With clothes on. I'm so embarrased, but my thights have experienced so unexisted action, that I would be happy to get the check again, as soon as possible thank you.
Secondly, I got again this shitty room, but it's ok, they have finally put on the radiator. Unfortunatelly the internet is bad here. Waiting for the 3rd unlu ckiness didn't last long, for when we went to grocery store and restaurant, I forgot my money and had to start borrowing money. And it continued few days on...



I started a new way of living: never think the next day. That meant no refusal of alcohol. It didn't take until the second day when I learned the lesson the hard way. First we had welcome drinks at the head of institut's flat, I have never said no to sparkling wine, so I had like 3 at least. Of course I hadn't eaten so I could eat the welcome dinner. At the restaurant I had few white wines. The situation wasn't helped by the director, who liked a drink and liked the people next to her to drink too.



Of course I followed the others for a drink into a place, where at first we had to wait a minute outside the door, which was then slammed at our face (what were they hiding?...). I wanted to go because it was my first experience with water pipe. It was also my last, because I became really sick and left early (like 12pm!). I somehow got myself to institut without problems, by talking to the girl who wanted to go to sleep,but here I begun to empty my stomack in the toilet and then in my room. It could've been food or alcohol poisoning, but I blame the tobacco. Nice night cleansing of toilet and quickly perfume before the others returned. Luckily it saved me from hangover. The only good thing.



No surprise I passed vine the next day, except the delicious risotto we made. But today I desided to join the wagon again, we ate at an Etruscan area, at Vulcii in a countryside restaurant, whatever they called it, and had wild pork with pappardelli. We had local vine, red, which was my choise, was apparently not so good, little do I know, all reds taste like shit, but they don't give a headache like white. At the end we were asked about coffee (espresso). I said yes, because I wanted to drink something. Then we were given digestive, restaurant's own amaro, which tasted little like licquirice (how the hell do you write it) and I liked it very much. First experience, some didn't like it, so maybe it wasn't good. Unfortunatelly I hadn't noticed the limoncello at the other end of the table, and it being my favourite, I had that too. No problem yet...



Tomorrow we have free time, or library working. I thought of going to buy Italian grammar and some book, if its not going to rain. These books in here are boring. Now I've been watching Persuasion 2007(?) and its music videos.

The year's reflection

Now it's Easter, and also the anniverary of me living in this flat. I didn't want to go to bed yet, so I put some music. I desided to put Hollywood Hills by Sunrise Avenue (the only one worth listening, in my opinion, haters can hate). This was because I listened it from radio a year ago, and when my mother and sister came to visit at Easter, my sister liked it too (which is always the mark of something good...) With that memory I started to think, what is different now, a year later. Has my life progressed in any way?



At first the answer was no, my life's in excactly the same position as before, only year less time to fulfil it. But Then I made a return to reality. A year ago I knew that I had work the next summer. I had also visited Rauma for the first time and seen that it's very beautiful. But I didn't know what it was like to wake up almost every morning and leave to work when other, grown up people went to work, and get home from work and relax. I also didn't think I could leave at 7am and get back at 8pm for 2 months without problems. I'm really proud of that.



One thing I didn't know one year ago was, that I had been chosen to Roman course. I didn't know that I would spend the first holiday free of summer exams studying to Rome. I also didn't know that I would phone mom and sister yelling the news from balcony just that everyone, and especially that cute boy next door would hear about it and would gratuate (of course they didn't). They didn't know that I would also put a big sign saying ROMA to my wall just to announce the news for everyone looking in.
I didn't know I would go to Rome, walk around, be in a 34c in October, visit mountain monastery, go Galleria Borghese and Tivoli.

Today, when I was resting (sleeping) I started to see in my mind the view from Terracina. I felt that it would be my view of dreams, blue blue sky, green water far away below, the sky and sea touching each other with no other sing except the sun's reflection; white cliffs and strong wind trying to blow you to sea. I have always loved autumn because its strong winds and I love to go standing on a hill, but that was so extreme!



Of course Nada is amazing, but she's the only new girl I have got to know this year. Also I had little foresight that I would be the president of Museion, but I didnät know it would be so hard. Not the doing but the ordering. Gosh if I could sack my board, cabinet whatever it's called, I would've done it months ago.

But those two things I guess make the year worthwhile, maybe even progressing my life.

BD girl

Gianicolo e Lante

Today was my birthday. I celebrated it with no school work. I also enjoyed some mint and chocolate liqueur, and now I feel little odd. I had lunch with a friend and came home to finally organise the Rome pictures to internet for other course members to see. I also finalised the music video (yes, I make a lot of videos) of Barcelona, it's not been long, 9 months...


Tivoli

So all in all, it's been nice enough a birthday. Usually I'm really depressed, but last night I listened some songs, Take On Me and Power of Love and watched scenes from Back to the Future and Breakfust Club, and understood that maybe my birthday year wasn't so bad after all. And it's finally snow here! People are talking of -16c, I'm not believing it, because I haven't been cold. I finally can use my beautiful winter clothes, like white coat and knee high high heel boots.


Terracina

Tomorrow starts school, and I've desided to finally do some proper work. I would like to get at least Batchelor's degree before summer. But maybe I have a little too much work on my plate, well we'll see. Maybe this is the only way to get work. No way of getting a job if I have time to do it, apparently...


Pompeii

Tomorrow, spanish, french oral (if I find the courage), library to get some books to look the covers, trying to plan student union meeting (yes, I prepare to be the worst president ever, but I didn't vote for me), and grocery store would be nice enough, I'm a wee bit hungry...
And for the end, here's some Italy pictures:


Subiaco

Roman gelati

I visited some gelateri while visiting Rome. Here's little summary of them though I have no idea of their names.

The first one I visited, and the first gelato ever, was somewhere between Piazza del Risorgimento and the river... or near Pantheon... actually I've got no idea, except that it was on a corner of some square. The problem was that we were taken there by om´ne of the guys, and like every one who's familiar in a city, he took us through shortcuts impossible to trace. All I remember was going from Villa Giulia on a tram to Risorgimento and from there to some student restaurant and from there to gelati. And it was good, I guess stracciatella and something else.


Lante up the uppity uppity hill

The nice one was on the Viale de Trastevere. I liked it because we could buy a small (cheap) with lots of tastes, on a cup (easy to eat). I took chocolate, which was really dark, and lemon. The combination was interesting. Not my favourite but definitelly worth to remember.
Then there was the naturally flavoured gelateria near Piazza Navona. I didn't eat there because 1. my throat was in pain, and 2. it was expensive. But apparently amazing!
Then the one on the corner of Largo Argentina. I didn't eat there, because one girl got tummy ache after eating there, no one else got it though... It might have been her biiig appetite in the restaurant before.

But, in the end, the absolute favourite was the one at Vatican. The largests gelati in Rome! The taste, ok, but the boys selling it, wow! Little too tired looking though. First time I had something and something and amarillo. It was nice, except too big for me, amarillo all over my hand. But the next time, :DDDDD! I hate smiley faces, but this deserves it. I got smth and smth and stracciatella, all right except I dropped half into my bag and lap. But that was okay, because it was free! Ok, so he was not the best looking in that gelateria, and at most 18 years old, but so cute with all that blushing. I'm not the prittoest one, but perhaps my hair was the guilty party. I fought the whole summer against the want to dye my hair red, but the blonde hair surely took it's time to work with italian men...


Smiley for little girls who drink hot chocolate instead of cappuchino in the mornings

Some more ice cream talk. Gelato is amazing, but totally diffrent than Finnish ice cream. That's why It's no use comparing them. Finnish one is very good. But I must admit that when comparing "hard" ice creams, the best is Tom and Jerry's Cookie dough. Maybe it's a good thing, that it's so expensive.

My days as a classical archeologian

If the four weeks in Rome taught me one thing, it was that I'm never going to be full time researcher of classical archaeology. It's quite forbitten to tell this to people studying it, but it's ruines, ruines and again ruines, sculpture of Venus, and another, and another. After 3rd week my cup was already full, and I bet everyone knew it or sensed it with my huffing and puffing. The last but in no way least was the trip to Campania. Uuu best for the last! Oh not again, ruines. "But they are the great cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum!" "What ever." Our guide wanted to show us the icing of the trip, underground Naples! Oh good, never seen ruines before...


The cannon every (sun)day at Gianicolo at noon

Well, I grand that the wall paintings were quite beautiful, although there were paintings in the houses of Augustus and Livia in Palatinus as well...
Now you see how my head losed the plot. I just had to find something non-ancien activity! One of the best places in Rome was the Galleria Borghese, into which I almost didn't go. Good that I did.


Vesuvius roaring at Herculaneum. The smell of sulfur was true.

It's the case of friends and different friend groups, which do different things and act differently. Well, I cold like to belong to the group of grazy acting, laughing, drinking and behaving badly, but not of course criminanly. But, because people are always more wise than the person herself, othe people decide what group you belong. For me, because of my outer appearance and nature, the group has almost always been the clever quiet group, who speak about school, drink only wine and go to bed by 10pm. It's awful to be made to to what you don't want to do, and to get away from that group you need an accident, or really hard work. For me, I made it on the last week of Italy; thanks to my going to Borghese with the ring leader of the "other group". I even got to show my alcoholism level, when the boys had bought some whisky in the infamous Villa of Mysteries in Pompeii. It was night, we had drunk 4 bottles fo wine and one of very, very good Limoncello (why not, it was free!) and we didn't want to go to bed (like our head of the institute says, you can sleep in Finland). So we went to the swimming pool. We girls paddled in the water while boys smoke and sipped the whiskey. Then they offered one to the other girl (the one that talks), who was horrified and grinned. Then the offer came to me, I was more than happy to apply, and an astonishment! She didn't even grin! Well, why not? It was like water had been mixed into it, not really my cup of tea. Boys commented, well she's been in Scotland... Not actually the reason, I had whiskey there only once. Thanks to our classical philologies!


Wall paintings at Pompeii, the house of some man no doubt...

I might have done a small error of jugement with the water, for I saw Naples and got a cold. There went my farewell dinner and last italian pizza. I wanted to be brave, but perhaps I have to admit, I may have had quite a fever. But if somebody younger tells me to stay home when others go out, the hell I am! Luckily it didn't last long, I was quite alright coming home.


The non-catholic cemetery at dawn. Quite exciting hanging around the graves of artists died of tuberculosis while having a respitory illness...

Amentes illi romani

The final week in Italy: not happy at all!
I haven't written the whole time I've been here, not this blog, not reports, not essays, nothing. This really is hard work! First we go around town and its museums until 2pm, after which we, news in town, go round churches and galleries by ourselves, of course, we only have four weeks to understand the whole of Rome. Then we sit in the kitchen until it's time to go to sleep... Only thing I've found time to do is my presentations, which in truth I did already in Finland. Now, finally they are ready to print (well, not really, but I'm sick and tired of them). Onlything left is Pompeii and my final presentation on the subject I know nothing about but my audience sure does, and final exam.

Forst impressions of Rome were something like this: hot, soo hot! Coming from +5c of Finland, I really wanted to be in my bikinis (or bras in the absense of bikinis). +34c at 4pm! Gosh! But now of course it's freeking freezing, two pairs of wollen shirts and socks on. Apparently they haven't heard of triple or even double windows in here, btw Scotland has the same problem... The next remark, ok so the hostel's luggage safe is bar lounge's back behind a tree. So maybe I'll take my computer with me to town. And yes, I finally got myself a hostel, apparently I had been putting the wrong security number.

What I also found out the first day was the lack of logic with the streets. I bet there wasn't a single turn where I missed the wrong one. Well, at least I found my premier object, Borghese park, and in the search of a grocery store on my way to the hostel I found the Spanish steps (awfully slippery, marble is pretty but not very convenient, and Trevi fountains, the only fresh place in Rome. So I sat there for ages and appeared in hundreds of tourist pictures!

In spite warmings I didn't find bed bugs, meno male. And an other good thing, I was able to come to Rome on a train, altough it was the tourist overexpensive Leonardo express. On the next day it took me two hours to get to Villa Lante. First hour was a search of the right bus and the ticket mashine in Termini. Then I went into a panic when the bus went pass the Vittorio Emmanuelle monument and I left the bus at Largo Argentini, which I couldn't find in my map, altough it was there, and wen't to the nest bus and continues to the river. The change of the bus was strangely easy and, finally, I was on Gianicolo and Villa Lante. Obviously I got the northern window without the view and probably the coldest room in the whole of Rome!!!!! I need a 3rd pair of socks!!!

I'll continue maybe tomorrow my story here, now I'll return my new bought book Il Terrore Viene per Posto, aka. The Moving Finger by A. Christie. I must finnish it this week, because next, when I return, I have some catching up to do with French and Spanish. I have taken average 200 pictures per day, so in the future I'll download some of them here. Not now, for this has a shitty internet connection.

Holiday thoughts

Just before bedtime I thought of telling how my strike went. Actually surprisingly well! It was quire easy to eat only a little chocolat per day (with help of chocolate milk...). And the no-masturbating thing was quite painless, with obvious help of no-romantics. Only one time, on Thurrsday I all but gave in, not happy. Totally my own fault.
This shows that I can do it again, and at least the chocolate thing will stay on.



Today I went to a hygieny exam to obtain so called hygieny passport so that I can work with food, for example as a waitress, which I hope to become. I think waitresses are very sexy with they white shirts and black short skirts... I'm quite humiliated to to get even an interview into a cleaning company, hopefully I can get a better job.



I really need money because I'm going to ROMEEE! I got my acceptance letter from Villa Lante and it's official, at least at this point, to Italy I go for 4 weeks in autumn! There's one special place I want to go, Cimitero degli Iglesi, the Protestant cemetery with the graves of Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats. I've tried to read their poems, but I'm just not a poetrical person. But that doesn't mean I don't want to be. And even if one can't do it, one can still have poetrical soul, right? I refuse to believe I'm a rationalist and scienticical person just because poems are boring. I think the key is for somebody to read them to me. Shakespeare's plays are wonderful, but bloody awful when you try to read them in your room.

VADO A ROMA!!!

Today, just before 8pm I thought to myself I'd best to shut the computer for a change to cool down. But before I should check my fb. And, maybe I'll check my email as well, all though all the offices have closed at 3-4 and no one'll write to me on email. But, why not.

WHY NOT INDEED! There was lost of emails, impotence and so on, but in the middle there was two letters from the same person, and they said The Course on Classical Antiquity! Already by then I started to suspect the good news. I and there it was, my name last on a list of accepted students to the course in Rome! The second letter said, Congratulations, you have been accepted...!!!



Just today I was in despair about my wasted life, I applied to a cleaning firm and I wasn't even invited to an interview (I didn't know you needed to be a notary to be a cleaner). I was chosen, and I wasn't even lying on my application! Now I have july and august in Rauma doing work of my education (museum assistant) and september in Rome! That's going to ruin my international tutoring this year, but I won't complain!
I wen't roung the flat in a semi-squating jump steps for a while, and then I called my mom and sister.



Only problem in this is the money. And I'll miss all the classes in september, also the historical gardening class, which would've been fun. But I have a good reason to translate that 4th book of Aeneid that's missing from my degree. And I can go to Italy! Then I've been in six capitals of the world, London for England, Edinbourgh for Scotland, St Andrews for Fife, Paris for France and Barcelona for Cataluña! I'll be happy.
And even more, I bought a while ago a travel guide to Rome, now I can use it!

First I was jumping from happiness, then I started to laugh evil laughter to all of those wankers in classical philology department. They kicked me out by spreating evil rumors about me, and none of them was even accepted! I have been found unwanting!
I will join the ranks of elite group. Only selected few have been allowed to enter the walls of Finnish Rome / Athens Cultural Institute (not true, my whole class went to Rome when I was in Scotland). But they weren't chosen! Best of all, that fucking insect who drove me out of the department has applied many times and always rejected. She also applied many times to museology studies, was rejected and stop talking when I was chosen on my first try. Now it's going little too negative, forget that last bit.

And by the way, my strike is going surprisingly well, apart from this bloated tummy. Where the hell did she come from?

My 5(3) days of vacation

Continue... the story of Barcelona. I study spain and thought the trip would be really good change to practice. It seems easier than italian, since I love spanish music and there are countless spanish tv-series here. I even bought a dictionnary! Well, it didn't really work, all the time I spoke spanish, they answered in english. Maybe the reason was the official language, catalan! When I was in museum of history of catalunia and art of catalunia, all the texts were in catalan. In the history museum, the big texts were in english and spanish too, that reminded me about Finnish museums, which have texts in 3 languages also.



I felt also, that the 2 places where I've been, (forgetting the other places that don't fit into my theory), have quite similar history, though not identical, and quite close feeling of the mother state; that is Scotland and Catalunia. I must admit it was really big mistake to go to history museum on my final day, I would have got so much more out of the trip. Anyway, the both countries have really strong nationalism, due to several wars they have gone through. Cataluña has it's own distinct language and has had to fight for it, but as I understand the old country is divided between Spain and France, whereas Scotland is more coherent, I don't know, I'm just brainstorming...



Funny thing about that, my other french teacher is from Perpignon, and his mother tongue is catalan! He's also jewish whore born in Algeria, and now lives here speaking finnish. Only langue he seems to hate more than anything is english! He was also quite upset when hearing, that Germany has now more people than France, and when reminded of Switzerland, Austria and other minorities of german speakers he almost cried.



Back to Barcelona. It must be amaizing place in the summer! Only problem perhaps was that I really wanted to go to Madrid... Btw, I had the job interview to International Services just berofe leaving, I didn't get it. And no other job, yet. My sister's a cleaner, but she said that's bad firm to work, so I've no idea... That reminds me to apply some more today. That Cimo work in Paris or London embassy was closed on friday, totally forgot!!! It's so sad, but the most amazing city yet has been London. It's so boring, and if you know me, you would never think I would like it. Even I was surprised! I'm the kind of opera, castle, flower kind of girl, the most boring type. But as so many other clue, this just shows that nobody's so simlpe than you think. I was never afraid in London, maybe because I could understand all.



By the way, in barcelona most spoke french, then italian, maybe then spanish/catalan, the next would probably be finnish (nooo). I saw few people speaking swedish too and other scandinavian. The finnish that I saw was 2 people speaking on the phone to the 3rd on a dark, small alley the very 1st day, then a family in the art museum, who were too scared to go through the security (which was probably the only reason I desided to go inside, to show not all finnish are idiots) and 2 more, again at night, yelling drunkenly behind, so there was (or not) more Finns. All in all, too much tourists, but I spent time in tourist places...



Oookay... I completely lost the plot there... Sorry. I just human. But at least there's lots of pictures! For the final note, my quick recommendations: Parc Güell beautiful but really big, so good shoes. Museum of the History of Catalunia was big, great and free (for uni students). Museun ot Catalan art expensive but ticket was for 2 days, don't go on your last day like I, and get a friend with good sense of direction, it was those moders white box secret door museums.And not even in Scotland I saw one of these: fucking 3 litre's Vodka!!!

Greetings from Catalunya

Now I'm home, finally! I don't remember being happier arriving in my stident flat before! I thought I would quickly summarise the trip. I left on monday, after a job interview (from which I still have no answer). I was really nervous in airports, in both Helsinki and Barcelona, because I had no idea what to do. I had to show my passport only once! I just walked straight through... Thank you Shengen and your liberties, really scary. In airplane I noticed, that I had forgotted my mobile pin code. Niice, now I didn't have music, and I had promised to call my mother. I heard the whole time I was abroad Where was plain disaster movies in tv...



In BCN my hostel was in Barri Gòtic, just in the next street of Cathedral. Also I noticed it was really short distance everywhere. I also liked the shops being open until 10 pm. The next day was sunny, although in Ciutat Vella there was no sun because tall stone houses. I just walked around, trying to find shops. I didn't go to beach, too far to walk... To Sacrada Familia I went, thanks to my mother, and miserably go tlost in the area, in the dark, too scared to look a map terrified to be thought as tourist, who could be robbed. The next day I packed lunch and desided to go to Parc Güell. The clouds emerged but I went anyway. Good thing because the next day it was raining. I walked almoust to the to pf the hill, but just before the end turned back. Then I hurt my knee. First I just thought "shit", but now I think, that I had walked down the same distance it would have taken to walk to the top, so maybe it was planned for me to have been injured at the top. What would have happened then? Would my principe azul have rescued me? Not funny. I had thought to go to Montjüic as well, but now I just jumped to hostel and rested.



The last day, as said, was rainy. But luckily warm rain. I walked to shopping centre at the harbour, visited museum of the history of Catalunya and museum of Catalunyan art and then waited with 50 very wet tourists for the light and music show of Magic Fountain. Didn't happen. If I'm not scared of rain, why would the fountain be?!!! Finally the next morning I started to go towards Placa Catalunya, got lost and was again in harbour. Already at 9 it was really warm! In airplane I finally saw real mountains, the Alps!!!



Tjis picture honors a movie I like, L'auberge Espanol. It was nice to see the places myself. I was told to read ruiz zafon carlos' book la sobra del viento, but they didn't have it in the library, and I didn't have time to read all the travel guides I had. I think I should have, I wouldn't have had so boring time then. Barcelona really needs friends with you.

¡BCN!

¡En Barcelona,for the second day! Must admid, I liked yesterday night better, although in plane happened the strangest thing. My head over my brow started to hurt really much, and when I pushed it with my finger, it said pfeee. Really scared to go again... Today, first I was delighted, then annoyed, then scared, then pissed off, then got a plan, then went to underground,canhed the plan twice, then lost and scared, and finally found the underground again, then annoyed, then back in Plaza Cataluña, shops still open and alright again. ¡It´s unbelievably cold in here!

diverse person indeed

Today I went to library to get some spanish language music for my trip (2 days!). Unfortunately I missed the right row and got Rammstein, missed the heavy section and found Sash! and Scooter. In the end I got 2 spanishish cd's, e. Iglesias, which I'm not a great fan of, too pop, and spanish rap, which is quite boring after a while (it was supposed to be reggaeton, apparently not). I find learning languages easier when with music, and to keep myself from thinking throwing up in the plane.

Despite my attempt, I'm not yet a sexy thin princess in a dress (damn you flu, and stupid Atkinson!). Luckily there´s like 13c, better to keep coat on. I'm updating quite frequently because I'm so exited. Not so good for the essay I'm supposed to write. One thing that's not helping is the job interview I have just before leaving. I have to have my baggage with me! But maybe I won't be too scared about the interview...

Problems in paradise

I've got my travel fever back, hurrah! Uno problema though. What the fuck, all the hostels require visa or master?!! In north Europe you don't have to pay anything before you arrive! I only have visa electron, that's why I must use Blue1 and not the cheap planes... This is going to be tricky. I'll be in Barcelona after 8 in the evening, depending how much the plane's late. Not a noce time to search a resting place. Another problem is, that every other reviewer claims a hostel is perfect, an other that it's crap. If a hostel has had bed bugs 3 years ago, is there any still? Especially if it's like 9€? One was the most perfect, but about 10km from centre... And what reservation machine is trustworthy? I've usually reserved straight to hostel, but in sweet Cataluña no hostel accepts bloody electron. And none of my family has visa! Bugger! But hey, it's not so cold in February, is it?



I was also at a meeting of teaching planning... meeting. There was 4 teachers and me. Quite weird... Bet they won't welcome me back! And tomorrow is our student organosation's meeting where I have to deliver my foundings. Greeat. Also tomorrow is a meeting of one contemporary history -course, of which lections I attented only once. I'm such a pro! The teacher loves me so much that he announced in front of the whole auditorium I won't get nice remarks. Well, he didn't say my name, but he looked at me. That what you get for taking a few (5) years off... I still hope I get like 3 or 4 out of 5, but I think it was fun just for his angered face!

And about my thesis, I almost got it finished to show it to the professor and seminar, but then I remembered how fucking amazing my bachelor thing was, and I haven't shown my face at the seminar since

VAMOS!

Guess what that means. That's right! I finally reserved myself a voyage! Hurrah! And now I got like 100€ on my bank account but who cares! My plan was to go alone. without telling anyone. That didn't quite work out, because after seeing the pictures of the plane (Spanair)I got scared and desided to ask once more someone with me. Well the answer was, of course, no. So last thursday I got the tickets to myself alone. Hawen't told anyone yet, don't know yet if I'm even gonna... It's not as fun a surprise when they know I wanted to go and even when. Bugger.

I really really wanted to go to Madrid. But then I found out there's but the expensive Finnair going there straight. So next was places by Ryanair or Blue1. I've flown Blue1 before so I chosed it. Then it was Paris or Barcelona. London would have been my favourite but now there's the deadly swinfluenza there... I've been dying to go to Barcelona for ages, but for some reason not any more, but in Paris I have been and if I'm going to die, I'd like to have visited as many countries as possible. So I chosed Barcelona, and got all the guidebooks from the library (3) to get me to the mood.



Little complication. I found myself from the department of contemporary history and forced me into a course. I just hope they have break at the same time as faculty of arts, I'm not going to cancel my trip! Lord I feel really scared and disappointed... not at all what one going to Barcelona should feel... It's that bloody Spanair! I want Finnish plane! And I wanted to see some American riches and kings and princes, in Barcelona there's nothing but light coloured Gaudi crooked walls and they don't even speak Spanish! But I got me tickets and there's no backing up now! Maybe I could leave hostel not to be reserved, a girl needs a little adventure in her life!

LATER EDIT:
The adventure happens before arriving. I just read the opinions of people about Spanair, I'm seriously considering staying at home...Even if my plane is A321, and I've gone with A320 which was nice, and the accident of 2008 happened with some MD-... and in Madrid. Still, Helsinki-Vantaa airport is quite an awful place to take off, when comparing to Heathrow, my only flying experiences. The flight to Barcelona is only one hour longer, 4h, but there's the Pyrenees in between... I'm not so much afraid to die, but to throw up or being afraid. I was so lucky with my London trip, I'm afraid it's too much...