One month ago...now its fall

Since now I have spent exactly one month in Oulu. But the weather is completely different to what it seemed in the beginning. No more open jackets, bare hands and skirts- Atleast for most of the population. I personally still feel pretty warm, trying to take the most of this beautiful season we have here. 

When I arrived in the end of august, it kept raining for days and I started thinking where the hell did I come to - and from my own free will also. But as the days went by, sun started showing and people around me got also happier and friendlier. 

Before coming here I heard that a lot of people bike around the town as it known as the capital of biking in Finland or as I would like to say: the second Amsterdam. There are literally bikers everywhere and if you go to school that is all you see - bikes. Trusting the internet, there is supposed to be up to 500 km of bike roads alone in the city. Which is a lot I must say.

In the beginning it was kinda hard to orientate around the bikers but it got easier after a while. Just keep in mind to contantly be aware of your surrounding and always walk on the right side of road. You don`t want to make finns angry :D

10 things that I have noticed in Oulu, that are interesting:

1. Bus drivers change drivers several times a day. One time I took the bus to city (8 minute drive), bu drivers changed at one stop and the same when I took the bus back home

2.I thought it would be colder with 6 degrees outside but I can actually manage with my sneakers and leather jacket. 

3.Drinking milk with meals. I originally thought it was quite okay, but I wouldn`t do it myself. I was talking to my german friends here and they said they have never seen such thing. But yes they offer you milk everywhere. 

4.Tango and salso seem to be a big part of the finns or atleast here in Oulu. 

5.When leaving a bus you are supposed to wave or say thank you (kiitos). Seemed weird for me to do but I have managed to work on myself and now I seem like a true finn when taking a bus. NB!! To pass as a  Finn- stay quiet in bus and don`t talk to anyone. 

6. Amazing nature- forests, lakes and aurora. Even though I knew finland was beautiful and wasn`t excpecting to be that amazed since Estonia is quite similar, it was still mindblowing. The amount of forests and untouched nature is amazing. 

7.Constant openining parties. While started my studies in Oulu university, we had endless amount of different opening parties (lasted 3 weeks- how long can you possibly open the season). But most of them were great- some better than others but still awesome. 

8. Sauna is the most important thing. Every building has atleast one sauna. It is the main things at every party. 

9. Most important words in the finnish vocabulary- "mökki" and "makkara". Mökki stand for a finnish cottage between the forests (ofcourse there is sauna included and a lake to freshen up). Makkara is a sausage thing to make on the fire and everyone seems to enjoy that. There are vegetarian options available- don`t worry. 

10. Peace and guiet. It is so amazing to live here. You want to go for a walk and just enjoy your own company - no one will annoy you and no place is crowded (except for parties - they are filled with people). but otherwise there is no better place to feel like a true Finn that is in here Oulu. 

What else...coffee will become your best friend. Everyone here enjoy coffee several times a day. Even I have started drinking more of it, lot of good coffee places around. The best place is the coffee house located in the city centre, lovely athmosphere and nice people around. 

Sirelin from Oulu

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