Glada Vappen!

Hyvää Vappua (Finnish) and Glada Vappen (Swedish) to everyone! This holiday is one of the biggest celebrations in Finland all year. Mostly it's a party for students who put on their school overalls and drink all night long. In Helsinki the festivities officially start by the naked lady fountain Havis Amanda getting a student cap on, each year a different school of the main universities in Helsinki get to do that and this year was our school's turn. Unfortunate that I missed it. I was there in 2009 when our school did it the last time, we got to stand really close to the statue and the Vappu feeling was completely different than during other years. After she's gotten her hat everyone else who's ever graduated from high school can put their hat on. So 6pm is the official time.

After "Manta" (a friendlier name for the fountain) has gotten her hat people jump in the fountain in their overalls. I know this sounds crazy and the water is freezing but still people do it. Some people actually think the Finnish Vappu traditions should be exported abroad. Here in France it's just the Lily of the Valley flowers that guys are supposed to buy to their loved ones, no other bigger traditions.

Glada vappen alla! :)

Below some pictures from my previous Vappu celebrations in Finland (the guys hanging in the air are our students putting the cap on in 2009).

SHS Styrelse 2009

Lunch at the beach

Still sunny in Marbella. Elina had to take care of some work stuff so we drove to the centre of the village Benahavís. There were beautiful old buildings over there and the area is filled with nice restaurants I hear.

When business was done it was time for some pleasure, a nice lunch at the beach. It was a bit windy at first but then the sun came out and play. From the beach you could also see Gibraltar and Africa, it felt weird they are so close. Lunch was excellent, the restaurant is specialized in seafood and that showed.

Gibraltar and Africa in the horizon

Puerto Banús

I woke up well rested and admiring the beautiful view from my bedroom. The pool right outside and the sea in the horizon, clear blue water. After a quick breakfast it was time for some shopping in Puerto Banús (the luxury yacht harbor) in Marbella. It is amazing how you can find something in almost every store here in southern Europe.

After a few hours of shopping Elina took me for lunch with an older Finnish lady from my hometown who's been living in Marbella for over 10 years. It was a long lunch with champagne, wine and even two desserts. We talked about everything and we got some more company too for lunch and I got some good advices for life.

After lunch it was time for some more shopping. I walked around in the Puerto Banús harbor, regarding the boats and enjoying the sun. It was evening already but still sunny and warm. When we got back to the apartment it was time for some dinner. I was so beat after a long day that I just decided to get to bed early, watch some tv and fall asleep.

Exploring Madrid

After sleeping long and enjoying a nice breakfast me and Ann met at my hotel so we could go explore Madrid. Since everything was close we decided to walk through Plaza de Espana to the Royal Palace. It was stunning from the inside, unfortunately no pictures were allowed inside the palace. We saw all the glitz and glamour of the past kings and queens, from the Coronation Hall to the Royal Gala Dining Hall.

The Gala Dining Hall (photo not taken by me)

After the Palace we took a look inside the Cathedral next to it. Then it was time for some quick lunch and to walk around and check out the shops a bit. We then headed back to my hotel to get my things and drop them off at the Atocha Railway Station. Unfortunately we miscalculated the time and I didn't have time to go to the Prado museum, just a quick look outside. I was taking the train to Malaga from where I was gonna head to Marbella to stay with some family for a few days. I must say that of all the trains I've taken in Europe now; France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Spanish train was probably the nicest one. The seats were roomy and there was also a movie, Argo that we could watch while traveling with the given headphones. It was an AVE train, which is one of the faster trains in Spain so it didn't feel uncomfortable at all. An AVE from Madrid to Barcelona is only 2,5h for example if you want to try it.

The Cathedral

The Prado Museum

Sunny Madrid

After the rainy weekend in Milan it was time to head to Madrid. When I arrived in Nice the night before I heard from my mother that Lufthansa, the flight I had on my way to Madrid, was going to be on a strike and most flights cancelled on Monday. So of course I had to call Lufthansa France customer service in the middle of the night and it turned out better than I thought. Instead of not getting to go to Spain at all I got a straight flight to Madrid which would arrive the same time as the original but leave much later.

Getting out in Madrid and walking to my hotel felt nice cause finally there was some sunshine and warmth. My hotel was on Gran Vía, the main avenue if you can say in Madrid. The reception at the hotel was so kinda and warm. I went to my room to freshen up a bit and then headed out. I was walking around, taking it easy just enjoying the sun. I sat at Plaza de Espana just doing nothing for once, then walked to see the royal palace and the cathedral and then slowly back to my hotel. Ann arrived to Madrid a few hours after me and was unfortunately so tired that we didn't go out so I just spent the evening in my room watching tv and ordered some room service.

My hotel room

The view from the room over Gran Vía

Plaza de Espana

The royal palace

The cathedral

Time to say goodbye to Milan

Sunday was the first day we slept long. We enjoyed the breakfast at our hotel, packed our bags and checked out. We headed to the city and went to visit the Castello Sforzesco with its beautiful garden and old castle. There were also a lot of dogs playing around and we saw this adorable, playful Golden Retriever, a puppy possibly who just wouldn't stay in his place. He went swimming a couple of times too and the owners had a hard time getting him back on the leash.

Afterwards we met up for lunch with my friend Lorenzo who I haven't seen in almost eight years. He took us to this nice place close to Duomo and then for some of the best gelato I've ever had to a place close to La Scala called Grom. Very popular among Italians we heard. It was time to say goodbye again and head back to the hotel and get our thinks and get to the train station. Thanks to the city of Milano, I'm pretty sure I will return. My next visit vill hopefully consist of at least a ballet show at La Scala.