Spring Tripping

For the long weekend couple of weeks ago I decided to change the scenery so I headed to Switzerland. For some reason I thought I would get to relax and detox from the busy city life in Berlin, but boy was I wrong!

Early Friday morning we hopped onto a train and headed for Domodossola, Italy! It's such a cute little town. I'm a little bit in love with the Mediterranean countries and cultures; living in Spain I just felt that something in me clicked with the culture. I just love the happy mentality (and reggaeton - which I know comes from South America). ;) 

Saturday was spent doing what all the Swiss people seem do on the weekends; hiking! We went to Meiringen, not too far from Bern - which I can absolutely recommend! There were a lot of different routes, some of which were still totally covered in snow! We took the Panorama route, which was absolutely beautiful with panoramic views (as the name might suggest).

Hiking is something I have never really done since I come from the nature. Originally I'm from a tiny town of 14 000 people, so basically the countryside. Not really, actually it's just basically a suburb of Helsinki, but there is a lot of forest and well, more forest. So I pretty much grew up running through the forests.

Also, hiking is not that big in Finland since, well, there are no real mountains unless you go far up north. But hiking in Lapland (far up north) is pretty popular, there are routes that you can take for days but just don't except to be walking up any big mountains!

Hiking was just what I needed, being a little into sports (some may say a little addicted) and being in nature, it was just the perfect thing. That being said, although I love nature, at this point of my life I could not live anywhere but a big city. And I'm in love with Berlin. Just a little bit. 

Sunday before flying back we spent a couple of hours in Zurich, which I actually never visited before even though I've been to Switzerland a few times. Just getting a little glimpse of the city, I definitely want to go back with more time.

Well, I guess it's arrivederci for now!

On Top of the World

I thought I would do a post that some of you might have been waiting for... About THE BEST sport I know... Ice skating!

As some of you might know, I'm a little into figure skating... And by a little I mean it's the best sport ever and I'm so in love and all I could do is skate if I was given the chance. Okay, maybe not all but you get the point. I did synchronized skating for several years as a kid and a few years ago I rediscovered it and fell in love. So I was at the top of the world (literally on the top of the world) yesterday as we took a little trip to Mürren on the mountains to go skiing.

Once we got there, we found out that unfortunately almost all of the slopes were closed due to the lack of snow except for a few black ones. The last time I was on skis was about ten years ago and it's been about five years since I snowboarded so we decided to pass. Instead, we found an ice skating rink! I mean skating, on the top of a mountain? THE best thing ever?! That's some ice skating goals right there if you ask me...

Look at that smile! That's true happiness right there. On a side note; no, I did not buy into the whole Mom Jeans- trend, I am actually wearing my mom's jeans... Ski pants were a little big for skating ;)

After a while on the ice I noticed two little girls giggling and getting closer and closer to me. Finally, they got up the courage and came over to ask something in German. I told them my German isn't that good (the Swiss dialect is especially hard to understand) and they switched to perfect English! They were wondering if I can do the flip and begged me to teach them. I was happy to show them how it's done step by step and they were over the moon!

Looks like I figured out a plan B for Berlin; skating instructor for kids! Haha. Not totally sure if I'm actually kidding or not...

Getting to skate after way too long (it's been over two weeks!) I wanted more. I googled ice skating in Bern and found an outdoor rink at the PostFinance Arena. So instead of a run this morning we headed for the rink! It's open almost all day every day from October till March so if you're in Bern and into skating, I highly recommend stopping by to do a few rounds! They also have skates for rent if you don't have your own.

Got in a good two hours on the ice and oh my god, it was so much fun! I plan on going again tomorrow. Besides being so much fun, skating is also such a good workout. You burn off a lot while having a blast! What's better than that?! And I hear that skating gives you the best... look in jeans, if you know what I mean. ;)

Here's a little video today's skating sesh.

Can't wait to get back to properly training! I'm currently researching where to train in Berlin. OH and I hear there's the Adult Skating Competition in March, I will definitely go watch! I'm expecting to see some familiar faces there!

Anyone have tips for skating in Berlin? :)

Finding (Winter) Wonderland

Since us Finns just can't seem to get enough of the cold and the snow (haha not me though, see the size of my jacket! I'm pretty sure I was latina in my previous life...) But getting back on the subject, we just had to head for the mountains to get some fresh air. And we got a glimpse of a white Christmas meanwhile in the town of Adelboden! Switzerland really is a wonderland, at least during Christmas time.

On our way back stopping at the city of Thun for some hot lattes was necessary and it turned out to be an awesome idea! Speaking of lattes, here's a tip; when in Italy, make sure you order a 'CAFE latte' and not JUST a 'latte like you might be used to. Otherwise you end up getting just a hot milk accompanied by a weird look from the barista... This might be a true story which might have happened to me. Should have realized a liiiiitle sooner that 'latte' is Italian for milk... Duh. Getting off the subject again so back to Switzerland; Thun really was a wonderland!

After sipping the lattes we walked around and explored the town. It was pretty quiet due to all the shops being closed for the holidays, only a few coffee spots and bars were still open. I'm getting in a real meditative state of mind here which is SO good after all the stress of trying to figure out what to do with my life while trying to finish everything up at work before I left.

Hope everyone is having relaxing and peaceful holidays as well!

Till next time!

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!