Why is it always winter when I visit Europe?

Two days in Helsinki and I’m in love. It’s as if I’m back where I belong, which sounds silly because the quarter Finnish in me doesn’t really justify that, nor does being in Colombia for the past 3 years and also loving it there! But walking around the city center on Thursday night, I don’t know; the combination of the European city center, freezing temperatures warmed by a white snowy landscape inhabited by the happy Finns just walking around (jogging and cycling in fact!) in 25 degree temperatures – well, who wouldn’t feel content? I’ve already started to imagine myself living here, enduring the harsh winters and little daylight, but then venturing off to see the Northern Lights and explore the Baltic islands during the summertime. I’ll dye my hair blonde (I was already contemplating this – living outside of Latin America now I feel enabled), learn Finnish, have lovely blonde-haired blue-eyed children (ok with my Colombian boyfriend that might be difficult, but we can adopt!).

Ok, ok, enough with my fantasies, here are a few fun facts that I’ve learned about Helsinki/Finland in the past few days:

• Usually at this time in January there are 3 feet of snow on the ground and the temperatures drop to -10°C (°F – I’ve been lucky this time around with temperatures only reaching -3°C and only about a foot of snow on the ground
• Women receive one year paid maternity leave. Women may have up to 7 years maternity leave (on a lower paid salary of course) after which employers legally have to give them their job back
• Children start school at age 7, finishing high school at around 19.
• The metro in Helsinki is on the honor system. No one/place checks that you’ve paid.
• Finns pay about >30% in taxes
• Although the country is very northern, you can only see the Northern Lights when you go past the Artic Circle, about 700 km from Helsinki
• Mercedes seem to be America’s Toyota
• Everyone knows how to drive in the snow and it is not a deterring factor nor does it slow down drivers
• Everyone speaks English, even the older folks. And everyone is just really friendly.

sarita does Helsinki (more photos to come)