Reconnecting with My Roots

I enjoy living abroad, encountering new experiences, learning new languages and meeting new people with interesting stories. However, sometimes I do get a little home sick and I want to talk Finnish and connect with Finnish people. You know, sometimes it's just fun to share your expat experiences and compare stories of culture shocks that you have encountered in the new country with people who know how things work back home.

Recently I discovered a perfect fix for the homesickness; Populus Café in Neukölln. It's owned by Finns and the best thing; you get to order in Finnish! And also chat with fellow Finns!

But oh my God... Talking at least two languages on a daily basis that are not Finnish and then trying to switch to my native language... Whoa... Not talking it for so long, my speech started out so slow, I forgot words... So embarrassing. Like trying to learn a new language again!

So, I guess the only solution is to go there more often. ;)

Also because the coffee is good and their filled sandwiches - absolutely delicious! 

And how cute are the mint green cups? Again, I do have a thing for mint green.

If I have a more serious case of the Finland- blues, I also stop by kadó in Kreuzberg to get a bag of "irtokarkkeja" (hand picked candy). My bag usually ends up looking exactly identical to my outfit all the way from September through April; ALL BLACK.

Since, you know, when it's dark and cold, there is just no other colors besides black.

And grey. A little bit of grey is okay. 

And see my cool new bike?! Now I understand why everybody drives a bike in Berlin. It's just the best way to get around and when the weather is great. There's nothing better than being outside and getting some exercise meanwhile!

Also, taking the U-Bahn underground everywhere, you don't see the city besides the stations. Riding around seeing all the beautiful buildings and different neighborhoods, you get a whole different feeling of the city and suddenly, it doesn't seem that big anymore.

Well, that's it for now. Oh, and if anyone out there knows where I can buy "karjalanpiirakka" (Carelian pies - basically little rice pies), please let me know!

Happy Sunday everyone! :)