The journey to Kokkola …
On September 17th I arrived in Helsinki Airport from Dublin Ireland. The journey to Kokkola just got started.
My awesome travel plan was to get off the plane, get my bags and continue to the train station to catch my train to Kokkola…. Sounds simple right? …. WELL…. Do I ever do anything simply? …
Let’s Go …
So, I got off the plane, feeling quite overwhelmed and excited about the adventure I just started in the Land of the Finns. I was all business, ready to go get my bags, grab a coffee and hit the tracks…
…Oh my Gosh, I had no freaking idea where I was going, what the hell I was I even doing, I mean who even am I?… I got a heart-warming text from my now ex-boyfriend which reminded me why I was doing this…So…Let’s Go! …
…Yes, this was on repeat in my head as I stared blankly at the signs in the airport that were all in Finnish. Did I take the time to study Finnish before I left? …No, No I did not.
I couldn’t help but laugh at my amazing life decisions. I did the best thing one could do in the 21st century and followed the crowd, hoping to arrive at the baggage area…
…I made it, luckily enough I got my bags fast, it was like they were patiently waiting for me! …Patiently waiting to mess me up …
…I am 5ft 2”, and as you can imagine I needed two massive suitcase weighing 20 kg each to survive in Finland for 12 months. It’s bleeding freezing, all my jumpers and fluffy socks had to come…
…Let’s Go! … I grabbed the two suitcases, reminding myself that all those days spent lifting weights at the gym will now be put to the test. “I got this, I am strong, I am beautiful …I am THE HULK, move girl, get out of the way!” …
…I struggled balancing the suitcases, they fell over, I fell over, myself and my suitcases just laid there on the airport floor staring up at the stars and thinking of boys …lol…. No seriously Let’s Go!…
… I managed to get a suitcase trolley and roll through the airport in search for coffee. After my refreshing cappuccino I went to the train station. The art on the walls was captivating. I knew then I was in for a life changing year…Let’s Go…
A train arrived, and I got on, not having the slightest clue if it was my train, I was so tired at this point…I accepted my faith, where this train brings me is where I will find a bed and sleep. Getting to Kokkola would be tomorrows issue…
Thankfully I got on the right train, 4 hours later I arrived at Kokkola. Finnish people are so nice, these two guys helped me get my suitcases off the train…YES it took two men to get them danm suitcases off the train…ffs.
…I got my taxi to Villa Elba, I was so excited to see where I would be staying…
… OMG! The 4km road into Villa Elba was something out of my worst nightmares …It was pitch black with tress on both sides of the road. All my creative mind could think is…this is it, this is where my horror movie begins…Finally I arrived at my cottage, there was light ….thank god! …
I was met by a fellow volunteer Andy from London, I was so happy to meet a friendly face whose mother tongue was English. Andy introduced me to my roommate Vanina from Portugal. We chatted for awhile about everything and anything. They made me feel so welcome! …I was overly tired from all the travelling and suitcase lifting…Let’s Go …. Let’s Sleep Girl!
who_Tasha in the land of the Finns 2018/19 