The tickle I tried to ignore turned into a sore throat, quickly followed by congestion and a cough. In the six months I have been on the road in 2019, this is the first time I have been sick. I tried to prevent it. I was travelling with family and one sister fell sick a … Continue reading Sick and Tired: Staying Healthy on the Road
Month: August 2019
Kesämökillä: Finnish Cottage Culture
We landed at the Helsinki airport at Midsummer and took a taxi. As we went through suburbs and then the city, everything was clean and spacious, but somehow odd. Then it struck me: there were no people. On a Saturday evening, there was no one walking, and no cars moving. It was eerie, like being … Continue reading Kesämökillä: Finnish Cottage Culture
St. Petersburg, Russia, in Pictures
The travels have been busy, and I've been with my two sisters and niece, as well as many relatives in Finland. So no essay this week, but here are some of my favourite pictures from St. Petersburg, Russia. Where else could this be but Russia? As in many other places, I was stunned by the … Continue reading St. Petersburg, Russia, in Pictures
Traveling Solo or with Somebody?
I've hear it several times, from different people as I talk about travelling. "I'd love to go," they say wistfully. "But I don't have anyone to go with." After years of travelling with my partner, my family, or friends, this year I have discovered travelling solo. Much of it is not by choice, as it … Continue reading Traveling Solo or with Somebody?
Yes, But how ARE you?
"It's OK, I think I'll walk back," I said, as we stood outside the restaurant, in that warm glow of not wanting the evening of good food and good company to end. "I need the steps." And almost as soon as I turned away, the tears started to slowly roll down my face. I thought … Continue reading Yes, But how ARE you?