Santa Land!

Finland and the Land of Santa Well - this is my first post - and its all in honour of my Finnish experience. Hmmm-Finland - Its Beautiful. Its Cold. And you get to make you own Dinners. You know what they say - Travel changes you - and its not a new saying : ) But when it happens to You - you can see how it alters Your life! My first month - and I have managed to cook rice, dal and some vegetables – - and I have discovered many things about myself ~ I have a cleaning fetish a la Monica Chandler ~ I miss my family (I never did in India) ~ I can be quite a pain for those in close proximity ...well thats enough insight for the first month. Food aside, the travel gets to open your eyes to a bit of 'Culture' as the Brits would say. Did you know that Finland is the official home of Santa? They have a month's celebration in Helsinki. On Nov 25th, the city officially inaugurated the Chritsmas Season with Santa, little elves, real reindeer and lots of singing. Sure - it rained that day - but it didnt stop the festivities. The celebration continues through the month- The streets are all lit up, the shop windows vying with each other for your attention - girls gaily laughing, boys screaming with gusto and the wind chilling your bones! As I live out my year's assignment here, I intend putting down what I see, hear, think, feel, think about the Finnish Culture, people, Prashanth, life and love. So be seeing you... And as they say in Finland - Moi !