I know this place!

I know this place and I still love this place. Sometimes I miss the scenery and the quiet patchwork of the green countryside, the endless world behind the far away hills. I am visiting the town where I used to live 6 years in the Southern Germany. It is familiar, it is cosy and definitely a warm feeling to see the important places and the friends. After two days I could speak out my mind again with the german language and it felt I had never been away. Even the people, the familiar faces on the streets are asking did we move back. No, just visiting and enjoying the best parts of this very old town. And I know I do not want to come back to stay! It was the most important period of my life so far, teaching me a lot about myself and about my real needs and ambitions, facing the hidden parts of me. It was also a painful and vulnerable time, HAPPY, time of insecurity, but in the end I felt stronger than ever. We made the decision to go, even it was a difficult one and it turned out to be the turning point and the world was open again to discover. I felt free again. I left the hills behind me and the valley between was not my home anymore. It will always be part of me and I will be regularly coming here and I will see the same living picture book all over again. Being not part of this fairy tale anymore, jumped away from the pages and looking at the letters and the sentences and seeing everything differently. 

The view from the top of the Einkorn, the highest point in Schwäbisch Hall

Looking at the horizon gave me the feeling of freedom in Germany and now in Holland the beach has the same effect. Maybe I will be always looking for something, trying maybe to reach my roots. I have been growing some new connections, some new roots. The place can change, but the memory is collecting the details and the important people will be part of your life everywhere. They will not forget you and I will not forget them. 

It is wonderful, I am appreciating every moment here and I have still many spots to visit. I will be taking some pictures and collecting new moments and memories. 

I wish a great weekend to everybody, to you and to myself! 

Back to my roots

I will carry this peace in my heart always. The peace of the Nature in Finland. Where the calm can be very calm and the sounds of the forests, even the smallest are so clear. The air was fresh to breathe and the celebration of spring was happening under the direct Sun. They said, that I brought the Sun with me. I felt special and it felt special to be back in my hometown, even if I have been away for over 20 years already.

I drove by bike to the Centre of my old hometown, the same route as I did when I went to school in the mornings. This time I wanted to see the sunset by the river and take some photos. This was on the first of May, when people are celebrating "Vappu", the day of workers and students. There were still some groups of people drinking and having picnic by the river(more like a wet picnic with beer...). I kept my distance and chase the last, warm sparkles of the Sun.

Playing Indians in the woods by the natural stream. No other toys needed in this game. I did not have to force my children to explore the Nature, they went without asking and started to build their houses from the old wood they found everywhere. We were grilling some sausages and they just took their portion back to their camp. I felt like a good parent: we are living in a big City and they have not lost their contact to the Nature and they do have the courage to run in the bushes and use the material what they find.

Even the weather was really pampering us and the temperature was almost 20 degrees celsius, the last cold memories of winter were there. The kids wanted to go for a swim like in the Summer. We had to drive to the beach and show them the ice layer on the lake. 

There was still some small islands of snow and the big lake Oulujärvi had still the ice cover.

Memories of smells, textures, sounds and colours were everywhere. Going back and deep under my skin and the reasons I needed my distance and own space later. Visiting some older relatives and seeing that some things stay the same and the patina of time will do the work.  

The Sun was rising, it was 4.30 in the morning and I had my last look on the horizon of Kainuu before having my flight back to Helsinki and later back to Amsterdam. My home is now here, but the biggest influence on my thinking, how I see my environment and what inspires me the most, is there...deep in the silence. I will carry it with me and it helps me to see the world from my individual perspective. 

A secret charm of Germany

I found a couple of memorycards, which included a lot of photos from the time we were living in Germany. During those six years we were living in Schwäbisch Hall, in the South part of the country(Baden-Württenberg). It is a small town from the middle ages. A lot of History, traditions and breath taking Nature and a little bit of a touch of the mediterranean influence in every day life. This is a little longer post, but I just wanted to show many pictures of this beautiful town and it's surroundings. More photos than text.

Cafe am Markt (cafe beside the marketplace)

Market square ( a big market every wednesday and saturday selling vegetables, fruits, cheese, flowers, fish..)

There was every Summer outdoor Theatre on the big steps of the St. Michael's Church. 

A tasty Cappuccino in a Cafe/Bar Ilge by the river. Many italians living in south Germany: many italian restaurants and ice cream bars.

St. Michael's Church and the silhouette of old the centre

There is a lot to see in this little town. Our visitors really liked the atmosphere with lovely houses in the old centre and inviting cafe's and the local culture with many Museums. Schwäbisch Hall is also a very green town, surrounded with high hills and nice walking or cycling paths beside the green river valley.

The river Kocher

Sometimes the water level was so low that the river turned out to be the big, inspiring playground for the children.

Other times the water level was very high in a rainy season.

We had a nice garden and a cute terrace in our home. Sometimes I miss it too. A lot of space to play football, have a grill party or just have a quiet coffee and read a book. A nice HOME.

It was great to have a walk near the River and hear the sound of the running water. You could also rent a little rowing boat in the summertime and enjoy the view. If you follow the river by walking or by bike to the direction of the Town park (Anlagen Park)and further you will soon see the Castle of Comburg (Schloss Comburg) which used to be a monastery in old times. It was a nice destination for a family walk. Kids loved to run there around, it was like an adventure and you will have nice views from the little windows from the castle. In the wintertime there was also classical concerts in some evenings.

A view from the Ruins of Limburg, on the horizon you see the Castle of Comburg

The most inspiring thing for me in the area of Hohenlohe, where we lived, was the hilly landscape. Even if it sometimes felt a little bit too small to live down in the valley, I always lost that tight feeling when I climbed on top of the hill and saw the big landscape around. Then the whole world was again reachable and you did not feel stuck in the same place too long. 

A view from Einkorn, the highest hill nearby. There is a nice restaurant, playground and a beer garden on the hill.

One more great destination for a historical walk outdoors is the outdoor museum Wackershofen nearby. A short drive by car or by bus from the town centre. It is a big park where they brought and rebuild some old german farm houses. You can go inside the houses and see how people lived long time ago in farms. There are also farm animals and few restaurants where you can eat traditional food. 

The Winter is almost there again. My friend from Germany just sended me a message that it was first time snowing in Schwäbisch Hall last night. A cool season and almost time for the traditional Christmas Market. A cosy season with warm drinks (glühwein) and food.

Germany is quite a big country in an european scale and has a big variety of lifestyle and nature, which I think makes it a very interesting destination to travel. I experienced more the Southern way of living, which I was told is a little bit different than living in the North part of the country. A bit more relaxed I think! I am happy that I had a chance to live there and learn to like the language, the people and the beauty of Germany. I was sceptic before I moved there, but everything turned out to be much better than I thought in advance. Better to be open and let the culture surprise you. 

Füssen, a charming town near the Alps

Forggensee beside the Alps.  A local sailing club.

Schloss Neuschwanstein, a Castle which gave also inspiration for Disney stories.

The Alps are so near in South Germany which makes it so easy for making a hiking trip or doing different sorts of winter sports. Beautiful views in every season and a strong presence of the Nature.