Palm Trees and Churros ?!

Today I spent the day walking in the shade of palm trees and eating churros. And no, I'm not in Spain.

We took a road trip to the town of Montreux by the Geneva Lake or Lac Léman as they say in French. The town is famous for its annual Christmas market, which proved to be a pretty big thing. They really put some effort into it!

Some cities just have something, something that just clicks with you. Montreux clicked for me.  The atmosphere was laid back, almost Mediterranean like, which is right up my alley. People were in good spirits doing last minute Christmas shopping, enjoying Glühwein and spending quality time with each other. I am too slowly but surely getting in the Christmas spirit!

It was rather strange though, taking a trip to a city close by and everything seemed to change from the atmosphere to the language. Talking five languages more or less, I'm used to understanding at least something. Sadly, French is not one of them and I felt a little lost. But luckily my travel companions had that covered.

Among all the little tents and cabins, I spotted something I fell in love with in Spain; churros! It was a must to try whether they were as good here as the authentic ones. And yes. Totally worth it.

This view though! Amazing, right?
Now I'm off to do some packing for tomorrow's trip, more will follow shortly!

Au revoir!

From the Land of a Thousand Lakes to a Land of (half) a Million Cows

Before heading out to Berlin, I arrived to Bern, Switzerland to spend Christmas here with my family. And holy cow is this the place to be during Christmas time!

Hiking in Grindelwald during my Eurotrip earlier this year

Firstly, let me say a few words about the weather; the Finnish summer is not always this nice. I don't even remember when was the last time that I saw the sun! We took a long walk in the morning by the river and I discovered something very unexpected about the Swiss people. As you probably know, Finnish people are widely considered as, oh well... different? There's a saying in German; "Die spinnen, die Finnen", which loosely translates to "the crazy, the Finnish". Mostly because of our peculiar habits such as ice swimming, which is basically going down to a frozen lake, drilling a hole in the ice and taking a dip. But what I discovered today made me question whether the saying is rightfully earned. Because as we were walking by the river which, from what I hear is not even warm in the summer, I noticed a woman stripping down to her bikini. A bikini. In the middle of December. And going in the river. And she just sat there at least for five minutes, in the freezing river?! I guess now I know why some Finns really take a liking to Switzerland, feels like home, huh?

Walk by the Aare river

The city of Bern

Besides the weather and the people who make us Finns feel like home, there are the Christmas markets that make Switzerland a desirable destination this time a year. The markets are so adorable with handmade clothing, soaps and crafts of all kind. As it got a bit chillier, sipping on some Glühwein (mulled wine) was the obvious solution. Which also made me feel close to home as it tasted somewhat similar to the Finnish glögi traditionally drunk at Christmas time.

Christmas decorations in Old Town

Berner Weihnachtsmarkt in the center

The weather called for some Glühwein.

Also, as the land of so many cows, the cheese and the chocolate you might ask? Oh so good and OH so many options. Can't wait until Christmas Eve! ;)






Bis bald!