Writer's Block: Globetrotting

[camwyn]

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Finland. Not that I don't love Canada, but I'd like to see Finland, and I understand that most people there speak enough English to take pity on a poor traveler whose entire Finnish vocabulary consists of "Olen pahoillani, mutta olen amerikkalainen". (I am told this means 'I am very sorry, I am only an American'. Or close enough to that meaning that it generally makes Finns I meet online laugh and be reasonably friendly towards me.)

Comments

[sdelmonte]

I think knowing how to say "I am very sorry, I am only an American" in every language is very useful.

[camwyn]

I picked up the phrase because ages ago I played a character with the name Kyllikki on some MUSH or other. I thought it was a name from Finnish mythology, no longer in use. Turned out it was in use, all right, as recently as a generation ago. After the third Finn paged me in Finnish I asked him to teach me how to say 'I am very sorry, I am only an American' and deployed the phrase regularly.

Soumi

[86swedishmel.livejournal.com]

Finland is a good place to visit, but I'm not sure if you could fit a lot of things in two weeks of time. The country isn't too terribly old and from my experience (I'm currently spending 6 weeks in a FennoSwede community in Finland) unless you have prexisting friends or your heritage is from here it would be a better place to spend a weekend and then go experience another nearby Nordic or Baltic country (Estonia is another weekend place very close to Finland that is beautiful.)

If you ever actually do plan a trip to Scandinavia make it one that trots around all the countries over here. There is some rich culture and beautiful scenery in all the lands. Soumi (Finland) is just one of them. You'd be happy you got a taste of every culture. =)

Re: Soumi

[camwyn]

I'll keep that in mind. I'm hoping that if I ever do plan a trip to Scandinavia, I can find areas to stay that have Hostels International locations or something similar- I find that I meet more interesting people and have more interesting local opportunities when I stay in hostels. (As long as I'm home on time at night. The one time I was late getting back to the hostel in Fairbanks, a Japanese man was sleeping in my bunk and I had to sleep on the couch.)

[mountainspeak.livejournal.com]

Would love to see you if you make your way up here again.

[camwyn]

I really need to get a passport and head north.