Universitas Tartuensis, right outside of my hotel room window. The room service is impeccable. It could be worse to have to travel for work on a Sunday night.
(Tartu, Estonia; May 2017)
Category Archives: Travel
Ballooning
One sunny eve in May we all gathered on my home island. The task was to put together the largest hot air balloon in Finland. With a basket like a small bus. It lived in a van the size of a large bus. 
There were four burners and, naturally, Tibetan prayer flags. Because the pilot had been ballooning around Annapurna some time ago. 
First we blew the balloon full with cold air. Then we followed with hot air from the burners. 
It really was an immense bubble of air, even only half-full. And somehow, somehow it rose upright slowly and controlledly, without flying off with us all hanging from the mooring ropes. It waited nicely until we were on board.
My home island looks so friendly from the air.
The amusement park looks friendly, too. Like it was built for dolls. 
The wind took us East of Helsinki-Malmi recreational airport. But somehow, like magic, we found a wind layer blowing West, and in all that air going Northeast we drifted West, into the airport, and touched down spot on the runway. How it happened is beyond me.
In a traditional champagne ceremony all the adult ladies were given the honorary title duchess or empress. I was given the title princess, along with all the little girls. I quite liked it. And I liked the fact that most of the champagne ended up in our glasses instead of being poured over our heads.
(Helsinki, Finland; May 2017)
My weekly ride
My weekly ride to Stockholm City airport. By now I am an expert in cramming in and out of small spaces.
(Stockholm Bromma airport, Sweden; May 2017)
At the EU HQ
At the EU Parliament in Brussels, one can spend an entire morning learning about the twists and turns of the history of the EU. Did you know for example that French war general and president Charles de Gaulle initially vetoed the UK’s entry in the 60’s – twice? And now some say he was right all along…
Finland joined in 1995, after a supporting referendum with 57% yes-votes. Geographically, the Northern two-thirds of Finland did vote against joining, but were outnumbered by the major cities in the South. Glad we did join. Otherwise I would need to get a new passport every year due to all the stamps required.
(Brussels, Belgium; May 2017)
The future was great
Once upon a time the future was all about space, both outside of planet Earth and in the minds of people. It was about scientific progress, with a joyful look at the future of humankind. This time was before anybody spoke of acid rains, holes in the ozone layer, the end of oil, and how tobacco kills. 
Future would be great, and the progress of science was great. It was as if the human mind was too youthful to worry about the heavy responsibility we carry towards our planet and every living thing on it.
Sixty years later, in the world of uncertainties regarding nuclear threat, fossil fuel, and the use of the power of genetics, stepping into the Atomium in Brussels feels like a happy memory from a time I never experienced, left behind by people with an unwavering faith in the future, and total ignorance about the effects of their actions.
(Brussels, Belgium; May 2017)
Kiss
Yes, Kiss were here. The railway station welcomed them by fitting custom-made masks over the faces of the granite guys lighting the way for passengers. Somebody must be a hard-core fan.
(Helsinki, Finland; May 2017)
Good morning Copenhagen
The sun shines and my chai latte smells heavenly. For once, I am too early for a meeting. In Denmark.
(Copenhagen, Denmark; May 2017)
Belle epoque kitsch
That is a Steinway. Upholstered, because black was apparently not stylish enough. This must be a prime example of 1890s kitsch.
(Hallwyl House, Stockholm, Sweden; April 2017)
Gilded ceilings and electric lights
Imagine the splendor and style of Versailles – with original electric light fittings. The bustle of a country castle downstairs kitchen – with modern, white tiles stretching over the walls and the ceiling. And an electric kitchen elevator, and three water faucets: one for hot, one for cold, and one for rain water.
This was all highly unusual in any wealthy, traditional-style house in Stockholm at the turn of the 20th century. But the Hallwyl couple seem to have been unusual, too: they built a palace with all the modern, sometimes experimental, luxuries of the turn of the century. They then proceeded to decorate it in the style of what can only be described as flitting from good taste to extravagant kitsch. During that time, who really chose their salon decor to mimic French gilded rococo?
The lady of the house sure did not hesitate when she bought 15th century tapestries before she even had a house, and designed the living room to fit the tapestries. She also did not hesitate in general, as she collected almost anything and everything she considered art: from china to paintings and to swords and pistols. She then proceeded to convert her newly built house to a museum for future generations, and produced a set of 78 printed books cataloguing all her possessions.
One cannot help but wonder whether this was truly the passion of a lady interested in beauty and the world, or a well-planned project to gain power through magnanimity? And how did she fit into society? Her house surely must have been the cause of many curious rumors and stories. Perhaps this was just as she liked it?
(Hallwyl House, Stockholm; April 2017)
Apologies for the radio silence
Lovely ones, apologies for the long silence. You see, I have spent the two past months in Africa. I thought I would have so much time to write, but first there were long (lovely) days with dolphins, then some crazy driving around the desert, and finally more lovely days by and in water a most astonishingly shade of turquoise.
Back up North now. Please bear with me as I pick up where I left off. And drop by for impressions of Africa. 
(Helsinki, Finland: August 2017)
This blue marble 