in english

How has Finland changed in a year?

A year is probably not enough time to notice the changes in a place you haven't seen (especially if you arrive at a time when not much is happening, as July in the Nordic countries).  However, there might be a couple of things that I have noticed:

  • There is more foreigners than before.  Not many, but at least the attitude from general society is slightly different.  I don't get weird looks for speaking Finnish anymore, at least in Helsinki.
  • There seems to be more people working in July than before.
  • There are some areas of the metropolitan area of the capital that have undergone further development, like western Espoo.
  • The airport and the city are still the same.

Maybe I'll notice more things in a few weeks, but that's it so far.

in english

From everywhere and nowhere

At a friend's wedding (he's Argentine, but lived in Canada and is now married to a Finn) we were discussing that we're from everywhere and nowhere.  We're at home in all three places, but always missing something (or most usually someone) else who may or may not be there.

That's the immigrant's life.  Something that is probably becoming more common given current international mobility patters (yes, part of that thing they call globalisation).

in english

Helsinki from the sky

Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures, but my plane from Brussels flew over the whole metropolitan area, and I could clearly see where I now live, downtown, where I lived before and many other very relevant places for my previous life in Finland, such as where I met my soon to be wife.

I have to say that the city looked absolutely beautiful under the sun, and I really felt I was back.

in english

Nowhere’s perfect, neither am I

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So, after a year in Belgium, I came back to Finland.  I started noticing certain things about the place that I had already gotten used to and don't really like, such as the amount of drunken teenagers on weekends, the fact that public transportatio, although good, is rather sparse (which is fine in summer, but in winter is no laughing matter) or the relative scepticism of most public officials.  This all reminded me of when I arrived in Brussels, as I was not used to the dirt and the beggars in the streets.  Don't get me talking about Mexico City, which is sadly renowned for its insecurity and pollution.

However, I remembered that it all depends on how much you make out of things yourself, and whether the pros outweigh the cons.  There's always two sides of a story, and there is always something good that can be found.  In Brussels it's multiculturality, in Helsinki it is nature and safety, in Mexico City its vibrance and cultural life, to give just a few strong points.

It's all a matter of making do with what is there, what you have and be determined to have a good time wherever you are.

in english

Back online

Dear readers:

 

Sorry for the delay, but as you can imagine, these last 7 days have been rather challenging.  I've changed country, moved into a new address and started working.  I do have plenty of insights to share with you but I just need time to sit down.

 

I'll keep you posted.

en español

Inteligencia de sistemas

He estado leyendo una colección de ensayos que tocan el tema de una rama del estudio de sistemas y la filosofía llamada "inteligencia de sistemas" y no pude dejar de pensar en la sociedad mexicana, que es un gran (y muy retorcido) sistema.  Cuestiones como "el que no transa no avanza" o el típico fulano que le compra un ensayo a alguien para sacar una buena calficación son, si no típicamente mexicanas, sí sintomáticas de un sistema en el que algo tiene que estar definitivamente mal para que funcionen.

Como buen dijera el ingeniero que todos llevamos dentro: "¿Y ahora cómo lo arreglamos?"  Favor de no confundir con "¿Cómo nos arreglamos joven?".

in english

Luxembourg

Today we went to Luxembourg (for me it's the third time).  It is really interesting to see that:

  1. There is always a smaller fish.  Frenchmen and Dutch make fun of Belgians, Belgians tease Luxembourgers.
  2. The amount of money on display is quite something.  It's obvious there is plenty of bankers in town.
  3. Portuguese is about to become the fourth national language after French, German and Luxembourgish.
  4. I love cities with lots of greenery.