Comments | harmaatahti: +

harmaatahti

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Apr 11, 2004 08:42

Well, I'm finally in Finland. The flight here was very long and I almost missed my plane from Amsterdam to Helsinki because stupid Delta had my flights planned less than an hour apart. Well, the plane from Atlanta to Amsterdam was running late and by the time we landed, the plane to go to Helsinki was boarding! The airport had a cart waiting for us ( Read more... )

Comments 8

ex_alongthe April 11 2004, 01:21:48 UTC

I hope the culture shock passes in time. You've wanted to be in Finland since I first met you, and I'm glad you finally got there. Take care.

harmaatahti April 11 2004, 11:44:40 UTC

I think it won't be so bad when I know enough Finnish to actually communicate. That's the worst part--I have to stand there while everyone around me is talking and I don't know a damn thing they are saying.

It's unnerving.

lilith_de_sade April 11 2004, 02:00:47 UTC

i went from australia to england and had culture shock. :)

after a while i got used to it though. happens where ever you go love.

harmaatahti April 11 2004, 11:43:02 UTC

Everyone says that, but really I didn't expect it to be this bad. When I was in France, I didn't get culture shock AT ALL (I really didn't). France to me was like a French-speaking Louisiana. It was almost all an extension of my own culture with minor differences. And when I was in London, my culture shock wasn't severe at all. The only thing that got to me in London was the brutality of the bicyclers (they WILL run over you!) and the whole driving on the other side of the road thing. That was it. But Finland ... oi! This is a whole different kettle of fish.

But, hopefully, it will pass in time.

lotophagous April 11 2004, 13:35:51 UTC

don't tell them you don't like sauna. you can get deported for that ;) how long are you staying?

harmaatahti April 11 2004, 20:01:11 UTC

I know! Sami's mother offered to have us go to sauna and I said no because I saw no point in sitting in a room to sweat when I can go home to Louisiana to do that sans steam and nakedness. :D They laughed and said sauna is something that takes time to like (I suppose). But I still firmly believe there is absolutely NO pleasure in sweating profusely. Bleh, bleh, bleh.

And I'll be here for 10 days about (leaving Sunday the 18th.)

lotophagous April 12 2004, 06:04:10 UTC

i love sauna. but i've been married to a finnish woman.

oktjabr April 13 2004, 09:42:38 UTC

I today witnessed another kind of culture shock (or entrenched stereotype thinking, perhaps?) when I was trying to find a new Lederjacke (it's an institution) from local second hand store, I saw a noisy bunch of american youth, looking like a direct ripoff from Dawsons Creek (or similar) - taking pictures of themselves and yelling in loud voices. I got so annoyed I left the store immediately after casting some murderous stares ( ... )