Berryfun

The Finnish summer smells nice, I concluded when stepping out of the plane in Vaasa. I was welcomed by mum, Guyana-Lena and Maz. Lena, who had read my blog thoroughly, handed over a unique bouquet. Instead of flowers it consisted of blueberries, cloudberries and wild strawberries – lovely. When reaching home mum prepared me a nice meal – grilled salmon, new potatoes with sour cream and a nice Greek salad. And to prove that I still (also) am Finnish – I had a sauna. When coming back one enjoys things that are typical Finnish and feel familiar. I’m enjoying the beautiful Finnish summer.

Mission accomplished

I've left Guyana and found my way to Barbados. Today I've dared to enter the water, altough more aware of possible sharp rocks hiding in the sea.... Wish I had somebody to share my time with here. Tried to call a family member living in Barbados, but I had really difficulties understanding his English (!!) so I'm not sure about the result of the phone call:/ Tomorrow I'll leave Barbados. At 17.40 on Thursday I'll reach Vaasa (if you don't reach me on the phone it's because it isn't charged enough). It's a little bit strange to soon come back to this other world. Although I left my heart in Guyana, I feel alright with coming home to Finland.

Home is where your heart is

Last weekend I spent in Kwakwani. There was a youth conference, so I went with a youth team from church to help. The road to Kwakwani is rough, you have to travel 2–4 hours in a (mini)bus packed with people (16). It’s a sandy road and once the bus got stuck in the mud so the guys had to push. When we came back there was a tractor that took us over a difficult part.

I found my house in Kwakwani. It’s light green (typical for Guyana), one floor (not built on poles because it’s on high ground), around the windows they had simply painted a few bricks in white and then there were some bushes and flowers around it. It looked really nice; although it’s difficult to explain it (did not have the camera when I was out walking). But no, I’m not staying in Guyana, but if I would come back to live here, that would be a nice house to live in. I didn’t realize it immediately, but our house in Koivulahti is also green – so I guess mum would feel at home when she came to visit me;) Oh by the way – I hope you didn’t misunderstand my last writings. I do not have a Guyanese boyfriend!

This is my last week. I’m going to enjoy it. I’m getting more and more accustomed to life here. The weekend with my friends also added to the feeling. It felt like I got to know my Guyanese friends better (Omodelah, Karlene, Eworth, Sean, Rushell and Shellon, I like to use names when writing my blog since some of you know the people). Since I feel that I have received a lot here in Guyana, I was glad to be able to give back something to other youths and to be ministering together with the team. But still I feel good about coming to Finland. Mum said that the blueberries should be ripe when I’ll get home – a small detail that gives you memories… However, I won’t admit that I would be missing home. But I don’t think you either have time to miss me;) Proof: nobody commented last week’s writings. So maybe I’ll stay anyway… hmmm… but I already bought the ticket from Guyana (leaving 9th of July)… I’ll come and visit Finland... (I better stop writing before you really believe I’ll stay here).

Thanks to everyone who has done this trip possible for me! I’m enjoying myself and the trip has done good to me! Next time I’ll write I might be on Barbados.