Barcelona 2/2

If you're considering travelling around Europe, remember to do it on off-season. It's undoubtedly the best time of the year to do so. Actually it may be the one and only way to do so. It will ensure that there's fewer tourists than usual so that you'll be able to meet up with the locals and to get to know all their daily rituals. You don't need to stand in queues either just to see some famous sight. Or wait for hours to get to enter one remarkable building only to see something magnificent and breathtaking.

   

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.

- Voltaire 

Off-season travelling has so many advantages but I'm not going to list them. The only thing I still can say about it that you've to experience it yourself. And once you've done that you can't do anything else except continue doing so. The same thing applies even to solo travelling which is my personal favorite. Each of us needs a little excitement to our lives and that because it's totally worth it.  

By losing your goal, you have lost your way.

- Khalil Gibran

During our stay in BCN I wanted to show some the most popular sights to my mother even though I'd already saw a few of them a couple years earlier. At that time I was visiting the city with a dear friend of mine. Nevertheless in this trip we did a lot of things and saw some pretty cool places. We climbed at the top of Tibidabo with this old funicular and got to see the best views over the whole city from the tower of the basilica.

Another great views where from Montserrat which is also known as the symbol of Catalonia. But first we needed to catch up a little different kind of ride to get there. And because I'm afraid of heights the minutes in that yellow cable car felt like hours for me (though I was constantly counting my toes).  

   

   

One unexpected moment was when we're walking up and down around Montjuïc and found this one outdoor bar (called La Caseta del Migdia) at the top of the park. We didn't know its existence beforehand but after two hours scrambling it tasted so damn good to drink Coca-Colas up there.  

Everything you can imagine is real.

- Pablo Picasso

Barcelona 1/2

Life is a trickly little thing. It can suprise you whenever it's in the mood for it. And when the plans you once made do change you just have to live with them. For example when I was booking my flights to Barcelona I had completely different plans for my upcoming trip. I can't even remember  the exact date when I did that but at the time I was going visit few of my friends. But when the day finally came I found my dear mother next to me. It was our first trip together to abroad and besides all the odds we manage to get through it pretty well. At least most of the time. 

Earlier when I have been travelling solo it has been so liberating 'cause I had been able to do whatever I wanted to. And whenever I wanted to. But this time I needed to listen to someone else's wishes too and kinda take care of all the rest. It felt a bit stressing at first but now I know that it's certainly something I have to work with in the future. Otherwise no-one don't want to take me as their travel companion. And even if a picture is worth a thousand words, it's the story behind all of them that tells the real truth.

Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.

- Ernest Hemingway

But at the end our trip went smoothly and we both agreed that 10 days in one city was enough. We had plenty of time to wander around and visit every place we had planned. The weather was perfect 'cause it didn't rain at all although October should be the rainiest month of the year. We even went to the beach for a couple of times just to relax for a while. And every time we did that we chose this one beach a bit further along the shore far away Barceloneta which is right next to the city center (aka full of tourists).

I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way.

- Carl Sagan

To travel is to take a journey into yourself.

- Danny Kaye

Those who have been following the news lately may know that at the moment there's alot going on in Catalonia. You may also remember that we were there just days after it all began. So, right after the first referendum. But besides the fact that folks were extremely emotional we didn't face any problems whatsoever. It means so much for the locals that it's completely normal that it has caused riots and all kind of demostrations around BCN and its surroundings. Most of the people had also stated their stand by putting flags outside of their homes.

But at least from now on I'm going to make sure that there isn't any significant political events ongoing in the city (or country) where I'm aiming next. And yes I'm already planning my future adventures.

You can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start you will.

- Stephen King

Solo in Copenhagen

A short stay at home after Prague and then I was off again. This time to Copenhagen. Sure, non-stop travelling (doing several trips without stopping) would have been easier and more economical choice, but I'd this one event where I  really wanted to attend. But I think you all know what happens when you go out and have a plast with your friends. That was a chance I knew and a choice I made. What's done is done. So, after staying up till the small hours, the actual packing for this trip happened at the last minute. But I managed to do it in a flash. 

Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.

- Lovelle Drachman

I arrived to Copenhagen early in the morning. I'd plenty of time to waste 'cause I couldn't check in to the hostel until 2pm. So, without any rush I started to wander and the first place where I found myself was Nyhavn. 

I also found a place where E.T. had been. 

Nyhavn wasn't the only area where were views that could had been memorized and fitted in to postcards. You could found colorful and beatiful buildings etc. from all over the city. 

Everything you look at can become a fairy tale

and you can get a story from everything you touch.

- Hans Christian Andersen

Few of the places (like the canals with all the docks and boats) looked a lot like in Finland.

No matter where I go, I enjoy going to different kinds of churches and cathedrals. And just so that you know this applies only when I'm abroad. I don't know why or what's the thing that draws me in to them. I'm not even a religious person or anything. Maybe it's the architecture or the silence and peace you feel when you go inside of them. So once more, I'm not a believer and definitely not a belieber either. A part of me is just a bit spiritual that's all. 

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.

- Nelson Mandela

Views from the Round Tower.

Christiania was undoubtedly the bizarrest place where I've visited so far. It's a freetown, a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood (expression/fact it's from Google) that lives entirely it's own life. I knew that it can be a bit restless place so I didn't go there too late in the evening. And in Christiania it's also forbidden to take any photos, but I hardly minded the warning signs. Oops.  

Three yellow dots. The symbol of Christiania. The flag of Christiania. 

Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.

- Hans Christian Andersen

So, I'd heard something about this famous Freetown before. But still I was completely unaware of the things that had happened there in this year. As a matter of fact just few weeks before my stay in Copenhagen there had been some shooting incident in Christiania. But you can look more information about it by yourself if you want to. I'm not gonna write it down here. Nothing happened to me and now I'm safe. Now, I'm back at home.

I am free and that is why I am lost.

- Franz Kafka

Solo in Prague

Unlimited amount of free time and nothing to do? Or just too many things going on your mind and you would like to get rid of them? Do like I did and travel. Make things happen. Fulfil your dreams. I can assure you that being a solo traveler is a real blast. No, I'm not a loner. I only consider myself as a person who doesn't mind doing stuff all by myself. So, I'm just a real living example of that kind of people. And I'm totally fine with that.

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.

- Hilaire Belloc

So, travelling alone is a worthy option for those who kinda enjoy their own company. It requires a bit of guts tho so that's why it's not for everyone. But I would still highly recommend it! My latest  solo destination was Prague from where all these photos have been taken from. I'm not systematical so I don't like to plan things so much in advance. All I did for this one, was booking flights and accommodation. That's all.

The one and only place where I asked some random to take a picture of me was at The John Lennon Wall. Though it would have been nice to be precisely middle of those glasses.

Maybe the best moment of your life will be on your next big adventure. 

- Siya Zarrabi

Planning my days won't start until my arrival. Not until I've get myself a map of the place. After that I'll be ready to walk around. I'll start to wander and spot sights that are worth seeing.

A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it isn't open.

- Frank Kafka

My advise is to be brave. Just go out there, the world won't bite you. Or at least that's what I'm hoping. And if you cannot get anyone to join you then that's their loss. Be open minded. Doing solo doesn't mean that you're gonna be alone around-the-clock. You'll meet other people who might be travelling alone too. Your friends and family might be crossing their fingeres while you're away though. It's a bare fact that in these days you need to think your plans a bit further. Like things that where and when you can really go alone. Especially if you're representing the same sex than I. And that's also what even I had to do. In the very end it's still all about yourself but that's enough of that.

Follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.

- Frank Kafka

St. Vitus Cathedral 

Church of Saint Ludmila

Travelling is like knowledge. The more you see the more know you haven't seen.

- Mark Hertsgaard

Now, the benefits of solo travel. Is there any? Hell yeah! You can go anywhere you want to. You can do it in peace. In your own pace without rushing from one place to another. Plus you don't have to go and see sights which doesn't interest you at all. Sounds good right? So, now you know what to do next. Summa summarum I really enjoyed my time in Prague. Beautiful sights and view points from both sides of the River Vltava. Now, I cannot wait for my next trip which is only a day ahead.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

- Helen Keller

Eräjormat syysreissulla

Siellä sitä taas oltiin, Liesjärven mökillä nauttimassa perämetsän hiljaisuudesta ja hirvikärpästen kutinasta. 

Pieni järven rannalla sijaitseva mökki, joka on suht kaukana kaikesta sivistyksestä tai ainakin melkein keskellä ei mitään. Niin ja autolastillinen tavaraa, joiden avulla selviää edessä olevista öistä sähköttä ja ilman juoksevaa vettä. Ei ihan jokamiehen tai -naisen hommaa, mutta eräjormana olemisessa on se joku kumma juttu, joka vaan tuppaa vetämään puoleensa. Lähinnä silloin kun haluaa pakoon arjesta.

Honest people don't hide their deeds.

- Emily Bronte

Mökin aurinkokennot oli tällä kertaa fiksattu niin, että ne toimivat, joten tuli niitäkin sitten tovi (hetken tai pari) käytettyä. Mukaan harkiten valitut ja otetut ruoat alkoivat nekin (yllätysyllätys) jossain kohtaa tympiä. Onneksi saatiin pientä vaihtelua metsän siimeksestä löydetystä sienisaaliista. Taisi siinä pörriäisten huitomisen ohessa yksi jos toinen voimasana suusta tulla. 

Ennen mökille saapumista käväistiin Hämeenlinnan puolella Aulangon luonnonsuojelualueella. Matkakumppanin tehdessä töitä meikäläinen kuvaili ja kierteli aluetta ristiin rastiin. 

Näkötorniin piti uskaltautua kavuta kahdesti kun aamulla ei tahtonut edes eteensä nähdä. Sumun hälvennettyä maisemat olivat kuitenkin aika komiat.

To a great mind, nothing is little.

- Sherlock Holmes

Inspiration is a guest that does not

willingly visit the lazy.

- Tchaikovsky 

The best way to predict the future 

is to create it.

- Abraham Lincoln 

Teimme mökiltä myös melontaretken Korteniemen perinnetilalle, johon oli suuntaansa noin viiden kilometrin matka. Ei siinä kauaa nokka tuhissut, mutta paluumatkaa hidasti yllättäen noussut kova tuuli jonka vuoksi meno oli hieman siksak. Siinä kohtaa saatoimme ehkä hetken aikaa näyttää muiden silmiin parilta Mikkihiireltä merihädässä. 

Time flies when you are having fun.

- Albert Einstein