"To feel high, one must go down first"- Varied consequences when relying on people's good will

After such an experienceful, surprising 30-days-of-fear challenge 2014, I took a short vacation, a venture abroad between February and March. Actually, one of my challenges was to organize this trip.

 I went to visit friends in Ireland, Wales and England. It was only 8 days, but more it's about quality than quantity of those days! Meeting dear people I haven't seen for a while refreshes so much. Hitch-hiking, for instance, gives such a good mood (when it works). People show they have empathy inside them towards foreigners. It kind of makes me believe on good things more and gives power to keep on doing my thing, when souls around me show support. For example this old fellow in the photo. He had so good heart! With sunshine beside him, I saw great hope in the world :).

this guy gave a lift and got me another one by asking a random driver

Finally in Cork, visiting dear old UCC, in which I was an exchange student 2013

the face when meeting old friends and after successful hitching

Irish sun dawn. Unique..

 But what happens when hitching DOESN'T work and you have a schedule for the day? It goes tricky..

Hitching did work in Ireland, but in Wales I had a strange day of contrast. My day (6.3.) started nicely in Cardiff, where I had been visiting a friend for few days.

Cycling <3<3!!! In Cardiff..

Writing a manifest to mud

Which says: "Stay" + sun

Isabel "incredible soul" and Tuomas

My aim was to continue to Bristol (distance 44,6mi = 70km), from where I had already reserved a bus to London. I had checked for a spot to start from Hitchwiki, I had my sign ready. I walked to the spot. I had around 6h time before my bus leaves from Bristol, which should be enough. It drizzled but it was okay, as I had decent wear on me. 

For one hour I stood at the spot, I wrote additional destination "Newport" which was on the way. No success. I walked forward, to a roundabout, from where there is a junction to the highway. There I stood, around 1½ hours, without success. Drizzling continued, my sign started to get wet and tear apart, cars drove & drove & drove. Some of them waved hands to me. I still felt rather positive, I wasn't hungry, I had time. But then! A car stopped. This is THE ONE with compassion and good heart, willing to help me. I ran towards it. A hand got out from the car, with a camera. It started filming me.. What the fuck!! Then, suddenly, it drove away. Instead of feeling angry, I felt depressed. People don't show any good will towards me. Hitching hasn't ever been so traumatic.. In Wales! Rather well-being country, no sympathy for hitch-hikers, standing along the way in drizzle. I was SO disappointed! I missed Poland.. It was so easy to hitch over there. Maybe there is something between economic welfare, individualism and willingness to help and trust foreigners. Or maybe I was so scary and threatening!

I gave up this shit and started walking back to city centre. I had no other choice but to take a bus to Bristol. Bus had gone 15min ago, but the next one should still make it before my London bus. The bus came late, there was a rush hour on all the roads, even on highway. No chances to make it. This all sounded so unbelievable! I called to a friend to reserve a next bus from Bristol. I was supposed to meet her in London, but now I didn't have time to see her :(; My flight left next morning. I didn't have cash and didn't want to use ATM unless necessary. The bus I got, left 4 am in the night. However, I will note that without money I wouldn't have overcome these challenges. That needs to be kept in mind.

I was already exhausted when I arrived to Bristol. I didn't have an easy-going mood, it was night, I didn't know anybody and had only few pounds. But I knew one place where to head. I had heard amazing things about this area: independent little shops, no chain companies, societally active people, loads of graffitis made with thought and devotion, a place I would probably find something, if brave enough and not enclosed in my fears. The area was a long street called STOKES CROFT.

Would you consider a normal street to have such a manifest on the wall? Stokes Croft dares!
People demonstrated aggressively when Tesco store was about to be established on the street.
Result: No Tesco along the street 

I wandered along the street, watching graffitis, feeling like an alien. There was an Open Mic-session in one bar! Perhaps I could go there, I don't know, I'm not in the mood. I went sitting to some wall along the street for a while. I was so aware of my fears, which tried constantly control me. What if I FAIL, what if I can't play anything appropriate, I don't have any songs in English what if what if.. BLAAH!!! Somehow, I could put those fears aside, think about a sentence I found: "what would I do, if I couldn't fail", take a deep breath and go to that Open Mic.

The session was at a base floor, in a cellar. There was lots of people sitting, candles, glasses of wine and local brews. People performing at the stage. I found the atmosphere quite relaxing and open. Poets, mimics, singer-songwriters. I put my name on the list. The organizer had to put some effort to understand my name correctly. I had some little chat with the people but felt myself icy. They were so free and jovial. I tried not to judge myself. I had to go out for a while, to buy an envelope etc. because I found my Cardiff friend's bicycle key from my pocket. I had to sent it back. I got back to the place and soon it was my turn. As soon as I got the attention of the whole room and guitar on me, I felt relaxed and smooth. I performed a song in Finnish, about dumpster-diving. It must have been a new experience for them. I got in to the flow! The audience was so accepting. I got huge applause! Yes!

After I started talking with people and felt myself very relaxed. Then I met Andi, elder gentleman, who sympathized me as I told about my unlucky hitching effort (he had experienced similar things in his life). He invited me into his group of all those poets and performers from the Open Mic. I was positively surprised how all the different aged generations get together to socialize. How this is a type of community which preserves the uniqueness of Stokes Croft, keeping it humming and vivid.

We went to a nice bar, Andi offered good special brews for me. Chatting with all those inspiring artists, sharing experiences. With amazing music to keep me levitating.

Then, to buy few beers and to have an after party in Andi's cozy lair. Listening more music and good coffee to keep me going for the bus. Then, suddenly it was late and had to go for the bus. Andi escorted me that I wouldn't get lost in Bristol. And then, I was on my bus to London.

CONTRAST is the word of this day. First of getting smacked down by complete lack of empathy, throwing away all the hope but then, by overcoming myself once more I ended up to the greatest possible company, people showing their empathic side and taking a stranger into their community like I was part of them. Many phrases can be conveyed from this experience, my humble one is:
IN THE DARKEST POSSIBLE MOMENT, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.

Tuomas enjoying his time with good company

Last week of challenge and an unexpected opening of my heart

It has been a while since I've last written. I will tell briefly about my challenges I've done, but then I will go to an enlightment I realized through a hard process, and how I feel now.

I could write the letters and send them. This was surprisingly long effort. I couldn't guess sending two letter would take so long. I sent one to a friend in USA and to my grand mother, who has supported me through my hard emotional times.

The most concrete and brave thing was the busking event, in which I played a support song about dumpster diving in front of two shopping centres. We made the video. It came like a music video of some sort. The whole thing required cooperation. It wouldn't have succeeded without few friends. They were necessary for the thing to be accomplished.

Busking. Link for the video below

Now, here is the music video, made by us, friends filled with inspiration: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCgOgXFi84A

A spontane challenge was, that I went teaching to a primary school as a substitute teacher. I got the request the evening before. I boosted myself by listening to The Clash: Complete Control live-recording which is my absolute power-song. It helped to gather energy and assertive behavior. The children tried to to test me few times but I could reply in a way they couldn't continue. I was glad to say to them in the end that they were a nice class. I even got two stickers from one child. It was delightful :).

I also went to a contemporary art museum for a long time. It was a pleasure for my senses and release for my mind for a while. I was supposed to go to a dancing party, but then sentimental emotions sprouted in the museum as I saw pieces of art which reminded me of things. I lost my strength, energy and easy-going mood and couldn't go there after all. Instead I went to a house party, in which I could have relaxing conversation.

 11th Feb was the last day of challenge. Day after I went to have a chat with bums and low income people who hang out outside, with a friend. For the first time, I went to an injection needle switching-centre, in which we had coffee with few men. I heard stories about how is it to live like homeless, stories about murdering, prison sentences and suicides. But also tips how to prevent from ending up to those situations.

My masturbation and alcohol break still remains. 52 days.

Meditation group having a conversation

Here are the accomplished challenges

- Write the letters and send them

- go to yoga again (and still going)

- fix coat a bit

- continue working on master's thesis

- edit THE busking video

- go to a group meditation 

- complete music recording sessions successfully (My band has now three new recorded songs)

I also did:

- Go to a museum

- Teach in a school

How do I feel now

Friends who completed the challenge, became really close. I think I haven't ever before opened myself to other ones so quickly and in immense way. They are like a community to me. Thing why I joined this, was that I needed to push myself forward from a strong love experience. It drifted in my mind almost completely and I couldn't let it go. I tried many methods. Also feelings of loneliness sprouted and it felt like running to stand still, ending up to the same situation.

Two days ago, I had an experience which organized my thoughts in a new way. I had to stimulate myself first to suppress my mind, to let my thoughts flow. I stayed awake the whole night with a friend, we walked almost the whole night. In the morning, I didn't go sleeping, I went to a certain place in which I had experienced a very strong emotional event, which I hadn't ever faced before. My heart ached always when I thought about the place and didn't have courage to go there, until yesterday. I took a guitar and a diary with me. I walked exactly the same routes as we had once gone. My thoughts flew with great velocity.

 As I ended up to the exact place, I started writing my thoughts up and cried. What I realized, was that I had been trying to reject a very precious thing inside me, cos' my heart ached massively. That's why I felt so broke. I was trying to reject LOVE in me, love towards her, love towards the whole world, because it is fragile and needs to be taken care of.

 For the first time, I could really say I loved sincerely, without the need for reciprocity, just because then I flourish, radiate and glow light and hope, like a sunflower. I had the tools all the time, I just had to realize, that I never will reject love inside me. That is the best thing in me. It is a pity many people try to protect themselves from love. I won't do that and I will do my best to encourage people to love. Love heals everything, love is the key to forgiveness. Love is the only god and almighty. This realization was the biggest challenge for me. Love is my religion.

There was a poetry jam in the evening. I decided to manifest my love and forgiveness to everyone. By coincidence, the poetry jam was at the same day! I went to read this realization from my heart in front of 150 people. It was my first time in a poetry jam. I wanted to do it, I had to do it. Afterwards I felt torn apart and vulnerable, but now, the day after I feel peace and love inside me.
My friend filmed my performance

Here is the manifest of my heart I wrote up at that place. It is in Finnish. Thank you Olli for inspiration.

This song inspired me tremendously as I wrote: Tycho - Adrift

Kivinokan mökki

Mä haluan sanoa nää asiat sulle.
Mä oon vasta nyt tajunnu, sun merkityksen mun elämään.
Miten sä olit hetken unelma ja voimaisin valo maan päällä.
Miten otit rakastavasti, sen vastaan, mitä herkästi vuodin suhun.
Miten olin arka, kokematon, hiomaton timantti,
joka räiskyy voimaa sinne sun tänne.
Kuinka vastasit kauniisti mun arkoihin hellyydenosoituksiin.
Kuinka tarvitsin kauniita käsiäsi,
pitelemään mun kaunista sydäntä,
joka tarvitsi rakkauden parantavan suudelman.

Sä palautit mun uskon rakkauden maailmaan.
Ilman sun apua, mun poukkaroiva sydämeni ei olisi koskaan saanut suuntaa.
Sä pystyit murtamaan mun ensimmäisen linnakkeen,
kohti rakastavaaa ykseyttä.
Sä näytit sen olevan mahdollista.
Se tapahtui Kivinokan mökissä.
Mä tunsin rakkauden. Miten me oltiin yksi.
Miten me tukeuduttiin yhteen ja avattiin itsemme yhdessä maailmalle.

Sä mursit mut ulos yksinäisyyden loukusta.
Silti tunsin sun kanssa tyhjiötä,
mutta se oli se tila, mikä rakkauden tulee täyttää.
Kuinka mun kukkaan puhkeava sydämeni oli valmis täyttämään sen onton tilan,
rakastavalla voimalla.

Sä olet mun elämän ensimmäinen rakkaus,
ja elämäni ensimmäinen kumppani.
Olit sitä hetken aikaa.

Sä näytit, miten mun arkaa,
mutta kaunista luontoa tulee vaalia ja auttaa kukoistamaan.
Kuinka sä täytyit valolla mun innostavasta ja inspiroivasta voimasta.
Intohimosta, mikä ei koskaan sammu.
Sitä sä tarvitsit minusta, kun etsit itseäsi, oman itsesi voimaa,
ja omaa inspiraatiota.

Sitten, kun minä ja muu Suomi irtautuivat sinusta,
jouduit hukkaan, menetit hetkeksi kauniin suuntasi,
ja eksyit itsestäsi.

Miten olin valmis rakastamaan sua,
löytämään oman unelmasi, oman onnesi.
Rakastan sua, se jälki jäi minuun iäksi.
Haluan sinua löytämään oman inspiraatiosi.

Ne kaikki yhteiset kokemukset,
ne on niin tajuttomia,
niin uskomattoman kauniita ja täydellisiä,
että kaikellä tällä oli tarkoitus tapahtua.
Muuten tämä ei olisi ollut mahdollista.
Sinä pystyit näyttämään,
mitä rakkaus on.

Nyt pystyn todella näkemään,
kun toiset vetäytyvät omaan kuoreensa,
eivätkä uskalla antautua rakkaudelle.
Miten aluksi luulin,
että tämä on taas yksi epäselvä, ahdistava,
defenssimekanismien emotionaalinen ripuli.
Uskoin kai kuitenkin johonkin,
kun tähän alunperin lähdin mukaan.
Olin jo alkanut käpertyä kuoreeni,
kun sinä tulit elämääni.

Lähdin aluksi matkaan,
että: "hei, söpö mimmi".
Mutta sitten,
sinuun tutustuessasi tajusin,
että sinussa on jokin syvä ulottuvuus,
kohta, johon minä päätin jäädä.
Sitten, luovuttaessasi itsesi,
sinä vastaanotitkin minun kauniin sydämeni,
joka on hyvin haavoittuvainen.
Halusin, että otat sen täysin parannettavaksesi,
koska luulin,
etten osaisi itse korjata sitä.
Sinä kuitenkin herätit minussa voiman,
joka lopulta ottaa itse vastuun oman itsen kehittämisestä ja avaamisesta maailmalle.

Miten loppuvaiheessa nousin varpailleni,
kun tajusin,
ettet voi ottaa siitä vastuuta.
Sitten ahdistuit,
koska olit muutenkin lähdössä.
Et voinut ottaa taakkaa,
jota epätoivoissani yritin kaataa sinunkin kannettavaksesi.
Mutta kuinka valmis olin ottamaan sinun pelkosi ja kuonasi.

Miten aluksi luulin,
että koen taas normaalia eroprosessia.
Ei, katkeruutta eikä mitään,
minkä tekemistä katuisin.

Yritin aluksi järjellä päästä eteenpäin, ei onnistunut.
Yritin sitten tunteilla, onnistui hetkeksi,
mutta vaivuin helposti yksinäisyyden saarelleni.
Kunnes eräänä aamuna,
tajusin että mua rakastetaan.
Sitten löysin sen.
Rakkaudella...

Nyt. Olen löytänyt rakkauden sisässäni,
joka säteilee kauniina kuin auringonkukka.
Nyt olen löytänyt tien anteeksiantoon.
Se on rakkaus.

Minun on pitänyt luoda nahkani uudestaan.
Minun on pitänyt hyväksyä rakkauteni sinua kohtaan,
mutta ennen kaikkea,
koko maailmaa kohtaan,
sillä se on herkkä ja tarvitsee suojelijaa (siksi opiskelen ympäristötieteitä)
Yritin poistaa hädissäni  rakkautta itsestäni.
Olin aloittamassa itseni murskaamisprojektia,
tuhoamaan sitä kauneinta, mitä minun on antaa maailmalle.
Se on se virhe,
minkä niin monet ihmiset tekevät
ja siten hukkaavat itsensä.

Parantuakseni mun ei tarvi tehdä itseasiassa mitään.
Minulla oli jo. Se oli mulla koko ajan.
Mun pitää vain antautua ympäristön kaaokselle,
merkityksille ja kauneudelle.
Siten tunnen koko maailman rakastavan minua.
Voin säteillä rakkautta pyyteettömästi,
ilman pelkoa,
ilman vaatimusta vastapalveluksesta.

Siten, voin tuntea rakkauden ja tulla rakastetuksi,
ja antaa anteeksi.
Rakkaus on ja parantaa kaiken.
Rakkaus on Jumala,
ja ainut kaikkivoipa.

3rd week of challenge

I think I have become more open to myself, also to other people than before. It is hard, though, as I don't bury rising emotions inside me that much anymore. Instead, I let them come in the right time and place. I go inside them and experience them fully. Afterwards, feeling of release comes and I'm able to let go and give up from my minds unpleasant thoughts. Then, my mind is blank and I'm able to breath and see the world as it is. Deep shit, but that's how I feel. That is what happened on Wednesday, after my bands gig. Performing opened my body for inner emotions which lead to a point 2 hours later, in which sorrow bursted out.

my new ear-piercing. Didn't hurt, though

Instruments for self-made ear-piercing. DO NOT MAKE such operations if you don't really know what you're doing

I've started to recognize defense patterns inside me and try to look at them and see what is the cause. What I need to do, is to accept them as a part of me, but still develop them. THAT is the hard challenge. I have asked for empathy from close friends I haven't really asked before. Although I feel mentally scattered and vulnerable, it has been rewarding to find out people are willing to help me and keep me on my feet. That was my challenge on Monday. Me and my friend could explore our minds together by discussing and I could let go of the demons I had inside. Afterwards, I smiled, stared people in the eyes and went to talk with to African people in a subway, because I felt so. I wanted to give them a good feeling. They said I could be from Gambia, as my sincere attitude towards people indicate that. I was thinking if I should ask them   for a hot cup sometimes, but I didn't feel like it. It comes in some point, then. I was proud of myself.

At my work, a nature guide asked me to do a responsibility for him. I felt immediately inside, that I don't want to do that, because it's his responsibility. I kind of took a defensing stand and said "I don't manage to do that, I have other things to do". I think that's okay, but rather I should have said: " I believe it's your responsibility and that's why you should do that". I learned from it, but I just need to find the right words when the situation actually happens, not afterwards. That is also a BIG challenge. If somebody has good tips for that, I'd be glad.

Our cosy lair for campfire, next to an empty storage building 

Handy basket for barbecue

I have failed to continue knitting but it's waiting for me. I could make two envelopes. I just need to write good letters and send them. I haven't continued dream-diary. I couldn't go to yoga, because of work. One big physical and mental challenge, was to take a safety pin-piercing. I arranged a dumpster-diving excursion for two friends. My friend blogged about it. You can find the story and pictures here: http://dreamspire.fi/haaste-19

art flourishes from our hands

Here is a list of things I originally planned to do for the past week:

- write letters to dear people -> partly yes (envelopes made!)
- music jamming night -> yes
- perform a good gig -> yes
- give a wedding speech in friend's wedding -> yes

- organize a hang out with a campfire in an old industrial area, including barbecuing dumpster-dived food and using mostly construction material for campfire -> yes

- continue solving out master's thesis -> yes (I got a new, interesting, easier topic)
- go swimming in an icy lake -> yes (after sauna)

dumpster-dived food for barbecue

What I also did
- took a safety pin-piercing
- told my father about taking an ear piercing
- arranged a dumpster-diving excursion for two beginners
- cycled almost throughout the week, independent of the weather
- watched a film alone in cinema
- commented a status of a politically active friend -> yes (it was about wealth and equality)

Our dodgy storage hall

My challenges for this week:

- Write the letters and send them

- go to yoga again

- fix coat a bit

- continue working on master's thesis

- edit THE busking video

- go to a group meditation

- complete music recording sessions successfully

2nd week of challenge

During the first week I started new activities which I hadn't ever really done before, such as knitting and yoga. Soon, I found out that I need to shift character of my challenges. I can't continuosly start new things without ending the old ones, which I have left hanging on. It's logical that I just can't fill my life, cos' otherwise my head would blow up.

In some way though, it is easy to take new things to your life. They feel exotic, give immediate pleasure, you see yourself developing quickly. Unfortunately, they are all trade-offs. As you take a new thing, your focus on the former ones decrease. Finally you notice yourself how you have forgotten and let those old things incompleted. It's probable that it will happen to knitting and yoga, unless I change my emphasis. Therefore, my focus has aimed on the former things, which I have procrastinated. What an interesting way to learn life-management and to achieve more!

Tuesday was the most killing day. I almost collapsed mentally, because I had faced such many obstacles. I couldn't get to dancing after all and my master's thesis didn't clarify in my mind. I had done such a big work to work that out but still, it is very unclear. The topic is extremely interesting and important, though.
Mental challenge then, was to accept my condition and let it go for a while. Without my mother's tea-healing I would have broken up. Demons started to arise and few tears even dropped by.
 Luckily I could find my inner power in the end. For now, I have managed to put my master's thesis forward. It's extremely pushing to learn I never give up and surrender. For sometimes I'm also too inpatient, which I need to practice more.

It has been hard for me to relax completely and not worrying about things I need to do. A good practice for me could be to have a day without any efforts.
I also could continue to learn knitting, but I need to practice that a lot until I learn it truly. I started writing dream-diary but I failed as I couldn't continue it longer than few days.

What I am very PROUD OF, is I haven't used any intoxicants, such as alcohol for the whole time, although I've been in several parties. I've drank lots of tea, however.

For mental development, I'm able to show my emotions more honestly to others and especially, to myself. I can express my will more strictly. I focus more and more on decreasing the use of conditional in my speech. As I have wrote these things, many friends memorized me to remain the most characteristics of my personality, because they are golden and rare.
 It is interesting to make a dichotomy between the things I want to develop in myself and the things which I shouldn't ever change. This is about self-acknowledgement to know how to direct that development. In any case, I need to accept myself as I am, also the not-so-good sides. And that's what is hard, because too often I get frustrated to myself as I want to be something else, that I need to develop myself.
Sometimes I see it in social situations, in which other people demand that unconsciously. Therefore, this phrase runs in my mind, which I find useful. "I don't need to please people all the time". There is a way to be selfish in a good way. That is what I call assertive.

prototype for tattoo

Here is a list of things I planned to do for the past week:
Go busking -> yes (I played support song for dumpster-diving in front of shopping malls. It was recorded and filmed. Wait till it's edited!)
Dream-diary -> partly yes
Dancing -> no, but there are reasons in which I couldn't influence
Ice-skating -> yes
Continue master's thesis -> yes
Get injection needles to make ear-piercing hole -> yes (from a friend)
Plan a prototype for tattoo -> yes

injection needles for ear piercing

I also did
Impro-rap in a party
Get a dear shirt back from a friend
Performing in front of people in a panel, voluntarily
Tell my father about taking a tattoo
Call to a friend when feeling bad and show my vulnerability to others
Ask injection needles from pharmacy and try to get them free of charge -> didn't work, though

For this week
Send letters to dear people
Music jamming night
Graffiti-making among a bonfire and friends
Wedding speech

1st week of challenge

Over a week ago, a good friend called me, if I'd like to get involved in a challenge. I said why not. Sounds intriguing. My personality is often, that I go into things which life brings inherently in front of me. I take them as opportunities and ways to discover new things about life.

Now, for one week I've been challenging myself. I should do one challenge a day, but often I get into a flow and continue doing other stuff I haven't ever done. Often challenges changed from what I originally planned to do, but that's what they call "change of plans" or "carpe diem". The things I did were mostly things I should have done, not that scary (except UE) or revolutionary.

 I decided to invest more on myself and develop DIY (do it yourself)-skills. I also wrote about my thoughts and emotions I felt and how they had changed, how I could process them more and know ways to do that.

No one told me earlier that I shouldn't bury strong sentimental emotions on the background and wait them to fade away, vice versa, how it's important to face them and go inside them, although it's exhausting and it hurts. I already reduced strongly my ways to gain hedonistic pleasure, such as intoxicants and masturbation. I want to learn other, implicit ways to feel pleasure. I feel I need to be more strict with people sometimes, even more selfish. And stop using conditional and "sorry" in my speech!

For this week, my biggest effort is to go busking in front of two shopping centres and play a support song for dumpster-diving. That scares me! That's why I need to do that. If I couldn't fail, what all would I do?

Knitting!

A rat tail

Here is a list of things for the first week:
- to start doing my master's thesis research plan -> planning started
- learn how to knit -> learning started
- to start yoga -> yes
- start doing kombucha -> yes
- go to a directed meditation -> yes
- arrange a time for taking a tattoo -> yes
- arrange a time for taking an ear-piercing -> yes
- ask someone to do a rat tail for my hair -> yes
- start to analyze and acknowledge social situations in which there is a need to be assertive -> yes
- learn what is permaculture about -> partly yes
- contact friends I haven't seen for a long time -> partly yes
- jogging to a university lecture and back -> no
- start writing a dream-diary -> no
- go busking -> no

a KGB car in industry area! Authentic

Inside the building

Additionally, I ended up doing more spontane things
- urban exploring to a new empty building
- get to know a new person
- physical exercise once a week
- go talking with random people
- rolling into a snow after sauna -> yes, on a roof
- planned a venture abroad

Initiation for the challenge

First part of my blog was about traveling by hitch-hiking in Europe. I wanted to express how it's possible and how much it enhances mentally to do such an adventure.

Still, although I showed great capability to overcome myself and go through such adventure, I still, far too often, find myself procrastinating various issues I should do. Most of them are sort of things I have to do in some point without any strict deadline. So I always shift them later. I also need to overcome my fears in some things.
Therefore, to get a mental kick on my mental ass, I will start a next adventure, but a different kind. It's originally called 30 days of fear, implemented by some guy. It can be found from here: http://www.highexistence.com/epic-challenge-30-days-of-fear/.

It started yesterday. Thus, there is still 28 days to go, when I do one of three things:
- Something I fear
- Something I've been putting off
- Something I've never done before

I will write here about the things I've done, at least weekly. The challenge began yesterday, so my start was to prepare Kombucha, fermented tea, in which a mutualistic relationship between yeast and bacteria excrete probiotic healthy substances into it. I also started to plan a meeting with an old friend and when I get an ear piercing.

A pickle pot. Handy..

There lies my dear slimy fellow

Today, I started to plan my master's thesis plan, decided when I will have my first tattoo and went to talk with a goofy old lady in a tram.

22.8 (Day 22) Last days in Amsterdam + thoughts about the journey

My two days in Amsterdam were different. I was with my two friends, having a city holiday. I could leave my stuff to their hotel room and spend time in the city as a normal tourist, without a huge backpack and dust in my legs. We went to see a gig. I could sleep inside, on a soft, comfortable bed. I slept so well, by the way. The night was best in ages. My friends were so nice. I could sleep with them, to discuss deeply about things.

Late night, I went wandering my own, with harmonica. I wanted to explore, see the people going to their ways. I felt like I'm not part of their reality. Maybe I even wanted to feel alienated from them, an outsider. I enjoyed being alone. I went to look for food, a strange habit I learned. I found some chips. I went to play harmonica by the canal, like in some romantic movies. Nothing happened, however :/. I meandered in parks and met some alternative people to play guitar with. Some young, 16 year old people, hitch-hiked from east Germany! And I thought I was young :O.

I hadn't done check-in yet to the flight so I had to pay some additional bullshit, also for my backpack. But then, I was approaching Helsinki. Lights just closed down in the plane. Soon, I'm back home, alive, happy with new friends, and wiser.. well, hopefully. Life carries and supports you, wherever you go.

Mental attitude during the trip is different compared to normal routine life. Lots of energy, no worries, simple life. You are careless, positive and radiate good energy. People you meet usually come along for short times only, few days max. But they stay, at least in your heart. I remember all the people I met, so vividly. In petrol stations, borders, parks, some sketchy forest paths in the middle of the night.

I sometimes forget how my attitude was back then. I think, sometimes, I get that same, positive glowing feeling in my everyday life. And I remember how it was hard for me to adapt back, like there was no adventure anymore. That's depressing. But there are always adventures. You just need to see and search for them.

FINALLY, it might interest my dear readers, how much did all of this cost..
I counted everything, food, bus, plane tickets, money transfer costs, festivals, gig tickets, EVERYTHING. In three weeks, I spent 600e. For the first 8 days, I spent 54e.

Wednesday 21.8 (Day 21) Hamburg- Amsterdam

Last day of hitch-hiking, but not an easy one. I had to travel around 475 km before System Of a Down start its concert. I had around 12 hours time but I already had the ticket so it was necessary to be there on time.. but also awake! Hitching is a tiring activity sometimes.

For the first time during the trip, I had an alarm for morning, that I would succeed on my effort. I woke up 7 am, sun shined. Went straight to the petrol station looking for lift. I met two German hitch-hikers. They were just starting their trip. The boy even gave me a sandwich :). I asked for a lift around 1½ hours, until a young woman came to me and said she could drive me to Bremen. Wow! Young women rarely do that. It was nice talking with her. With her sport car, I got quickly to Bremen. She left me to a big petrol station. I went to look for a lift to Osnabrück, my next destination.

 After 1 hour, a big truck stopped there. It was loaded with pigs, probably going to a slaughterhouse. It was easy to notice them due to the noises. I went to see them. There were so many of them. I wanted to cheer them up a bit. Only thing which came to my mind was that I gave the rest of the raisins to them I had with me, so they could chew something sweet and tasty before getting slaughtered.

Finally, I got a lift from 3 elder people. They haven't ever took a hitch-hiker before. They were going to Osnabrück, to see their relative's newborn child. One of their children liked Finland a lot. They took plenty of pictures of me, because it was such a unique experience for them. I asked them to send those pictures to me but they never did, unfortunately :/.

Immediately after the lift, I spotted a car with the Netherlands-registration plate. This could go to right direction. There was a middle-aged woman filling that car. She was suspicious at first but accepted to take me when I said I'm from Finland. It was also the first time for her to take a hitch-hiker. She laughed to herself that her daughter will be shocked about this. She was clever and analytical. It was inspiring to talk with her. She drove me to Enschede, to a petrol station. She really gave me a good mood.

 After 10 min, I got a lift from a Danish truck driver. He couldn't speak English very well and wasn't very talkative, so I slept most of the time. He drove me to 10 km from Amsterdam. I thanked him a lot. After 5 min, I got a lift from a young guy who drove to Amsterdam city centre. He worked at Amnesty International and had done lots of things with the alternative music scene in Amsterdam. He said the atmosphere in there is going stricter. Local government isn't that liberal anymore and doesn't give space for alternative people to arrange events. He was cool.

Then, finally, I got to Amsterdam. Last destination reached, very smoothly. And it was only 2 pm.

Distance traveled for the day: 475km

Tuesday 20.8 (Day 20) Billund- Hamburg

I spent my night in Zadar airport. During security check, I had to give away my little Swiss knife, which had been traveling with me the last 10 years. It had come very handy in every situation. I should have known that this might happen but.. no can do.
Therefore, I got a bit sad. I started to make a hitching sign while waiting for the flight. One young guy noticed this and came talking with me. He was boheme, liberal, from Copenhagen and had also done hitch-hiking. We came along well. He was coming from the Rainbow-gathering. He said his father could give me a short lift from Billund airport, which was a positive surprise. We talked about structural flaws in society and democracy :). Pretty high-flown.
After arrival in Billund, we met a young nice group also coming from Lost Theory. A bit later I found out that my new friend's father wasn't able to give me a lift, but fortunately, the group we met were so kind to give me a lift to a petrol station near Vejle. It was along the highway, so I could easily get a lift towards south.

However, it wasn't as easy as I thought. I had to ask from many trucks and cars, lasting around 1½ hours. There was even one truck with Finnish registration sign!!
Finally, I got a ride from a car. He was a middle-aged man, and had given lifts before. I travelled around 40 km to south, to Kolding. There I got almost immediately a 10 km lift. They left me to a break spot for cars. After an hour of searching, Romanian truck driver drove me near to Germany border. He was funny and smart fellow. It's always interesting to hear critical thinking of one's home countries, this time Romania. The thing is interesting there. They have such a beautiful landscape, lots of natural resources, potential for tourism, but still the country's not doing very well. Of course heritage from Cold War and Ceausescu (the dictator) still effects.
The driver had this funny cigarette-making machine, which I hadn't ever used before. He didn't think he would return to Romania for a while. He lives in Germany, tries to search a fine lady and drives a truck around the neighbor countries. He had a dream of traveling around places and searching for old castles.

He left me next to truck toll, where the trucks continue their destination. I got a lift almost immediately. He was going to Hamburg but because of strict working hour-agreements, he couldn't continue any further because his daily working hours were finished. So he had to left me to break spot, about 70 km from Hamburg to north. I thanked him very much and he felt a bit sad because he couldn't drive me any further. I didn't expect this to happen but decided to continue because there was still light. However, there wasn't many cars at the break spot, which whom to ask.

I asked from an elder couple. First they were a bit suspicious but then they were able to help me. However, at the same time, another car stopped. I went to ask from the driver and he said he was able to drive me near Hamburg. I thanked the elder couple and jumped in to the car. He couldn't speak well English but I found out he was a car mechanic. He was extremely helpful. As we stopped to a petrol station around 10km from Hamburg, he came with me to search for a lift, but I said he doesn't need to do that. I thanked him and went to look for a lift to Bremen. It was already dark, so it's harder to find one. People think me as more suspicious (than normally).

One driver first said they were going to a different direction, but as we looked at the map, we found out his direction is even better than my route. He thought for a second and finally said the car is full....
I mean, why didn't he say that in the beginning? He gave me hope and then smashed it. Well, I just said how unfortunate and continued hitching for few minutes but got tired and motivation was  also gone. I went to look for a place to sleep, and found one behind the petrol station, in a little forest. First it was very pleasant but later I found out I should have used wool socks, because the night was already a bit cold

Distance travelled for the day: 286 km

Friday 16th- Monday 19th (Days 16-19) Festival life + Deringaj- Zadar

Lost Theory- festival life:

I won't depict details of my festival life, but I say some general and interesting events.

Festival area was a broad valley, surrounded by mountains covered by forest. There ran a river just next the festival area. It was part of a nature protection area. It was allowed to swim in the river, and the water was very refreshing under a hot climate. Nights were cold, though. 

Music was mostly psychedelic music, techno, house, minimal end experimental. And decoration was mind-blowing, especially during the night. Imaginary shapes pointed at the trees with using lights and different materials, with the music sounds. Rather surrealistic. And then all the people wandering around the area, dancing like beasts in their own flow throughout the night, chilling around. It was easy to meet new people and the atmosphere was international.

Afterwards I heard all the electricity was generated through aggregates. It was a big negative side, because the festival wanted to market itself as environmentally friendly. 

I had some sketchy meetings with people in weird environments. Well, they improved my self-consciousness and I could learn new things about myself, but one certain amazing event happened.
 During the last night, I couldn't dance anymore, it was around 4 am. First I thought of going to sleep, but instead, I started walking to the river, in the dark, with my head lamp. As I thought, there was a campfire, other side of the river. I walked over the dam with my barefoot, because the dam was underwater. I went next to the campfire. There were some French people, which couldn't speak English very well, and then a Bosnian guy. Others went sleeping and I kept on talking with the Bosnian guy. He loved the area, and nature in there. He had been there for ages and wanted to keep it pure and clean. Apparently, there was some debate that the area will be sold to someone, who would block open access to the place. We stayed awake till the sun rose, talking philosophical things, praising women (especially our mother's) and drinking beer. I went swimming to the cold river. It was magical cos' no one was around and fog rose from water. I heard only the sound of river rapids. I could even warm myself with the campfire. I said goodbye to the Bosnian guy and went sleeping.

On Monday, Lost Theory was over, and I had to get to Zadar somehow, cos' my flight was about to leave there on next day. I said goodbye to all nice people I had met there and headed for the parking area. I asked for a lift and had a sign. After a while, however, I decided to take a minibus there. I was very tired so it was an easy choice. There was also few other people in the bus. I slept almost the whole journey. After we arrived, we went to have a beer with one German guy, which was a chill thing to do. He had done WWOOFing, volunteering in an organic farm. I got interested in it and that's certainly one thing I will do in some point. I had also bought food from a shop so then I took a bus to the airport and slept my night over there. I slept on soft benches in a corner. There were also pillows. I decided to give them to other sleeping people, to make them feel a bit more comfortable.

Thursday 15.8, (Day 15) Sibenik- Deringaj

Let me tell something about Ivan. He used to live in Zagreb with his family. Eventually, apparently he got frustrated to the atmosphere of a city and alienation from nature. They decided to move to Sibenik's countryside, where he bought a piece of land and built a new home. They planted fruit trees, different vegetables, herbs, founded a chicken farm. Some of the bio waste, such as fruit peels, go to chickens. Chicken's feces act as fertilizer to the ground, so there's no need for artificial fertilizers. They have partly succeeded in closing the loop with waste. True waste management!! They also make wine by using grapes they have. Food they use is almost always produced nearby. Ivan said one particular sentence I remember: " Natural, green, but not extreme!". 

However, thing which harms me, when living in a countryside, is the necessary need for a car. And eating animals, which is, however, from organic and local livestock. Ivan is very interested in politics an bravely puts critique on politicians and arguments with them, which I support. For that reason, we had interesting conversations. He had also been in the Yugoslavian war. 

Ivan came to wake me up. Straight when I joined to others, I got a cup of coffee. They were going to buy some bread from a bakery. I joined with them with the cup and we drove to the bakery. Personnel were Albanian and professionals at doing such delicious breads. I stared at the products with my mouth open, with the coffee cup in my hand. Then buying some stuff for a big dinner with their relatives, which was going to take place in a national park. Our plan was that I continue hitching after we have had the dinner.

When we got back, we ate scrambled eggs (from the chickens of course!). Ivan had to say few times that I have to focus on eating, not talking. After breakfast Ivan showed the chickens. For the first time in my life, I picked up eggs straight from the chickens and could hold them in my hands. I felt so sincere. Then eating ficus straight from a tree.

Then, we packed all our stuff to cars and headed first for a traditional visit to a monastery island in the middle of a lake, near a national park. There was a mass going on. After the mass, we wished peace for each others and for the first time, I ate Holy Bread, albeit I'm not a Christian. We strolled around that beautiful place. Monks take care of the wonderful gardens they had over there. We returned back from the island and met more relatives, which were familiar and comfortable. Then we drove to an old, small, original village. 

Sitting in an old village

In the cellar, meat hanging with white mold on it

We went to a cellar. there were meat pieces hanging from the ceiling, with white mold culture on them. They were going to be delicious, in which the mold decays the meat and gives a certain taste. 

We continued to a former battleground, in which Ivan had been to, fighting for Croatia 20 years ago. It's odd to imagine the landscape in that way. There weren't any visual links to the war. However, there are still mines left in the ground. 

Then, we went to Krka national park. The whole family, consisting of relatives and friends, approximately 20 people, gathered together to eat. And what did we eat?? We ate a whole lamb. For the first time, I ate brains :P.

Wondering the right route to Deringaj

Company from youth to elders

Everybody's watching when vegetarian feasts on lamb meat

 I kind of forgot I had to continue hitching. Instead, I went swimming with others to a lake, a very special one, one reason why the place was a national park. There were waterfalls, little ones, so you could go under and get yourself a water massage. There was also an old hydro station, apparently the oldest one in Europe. Water flowed to a depression, so it formed a natural Jacuzzi. Of course I went there and well.. It was unbelievable! There was also a delta, which formed a diverse habitat for different species.

Then a coffee and after we drove away, to a little town which had a party because of the religious holiday. The town had a nickname: "Oklahoma City". The sun was already setting. I got worried that how can I continue hitching, if I'm going to be alone in the dark night of Croatian countryside. What happened?? Something unbelievable. They decided to drive me straight to the festival, distance being around 70km. The gratitude I felt had no limits. How can these things happen. They even gave me 3 liters of home made wine and a piece of lamb for provision! Younger ones came with me so I had to say goodbye to the ones who had taken so good care of me. We were all pretty tired. Finally, we got to the festival and it was the time for goodbye. For a while I felt as being a part of the family. I will never forget them. I can't ever show them the gratitude I felt. It was the end of one adventure and beginning of other one. I found my friends (from Finland) from the camping area and got very happy. I could even sleep in their tent. It was strange to speak Finnish with them. Soon I felt asleep. 

Travelled distance for the day: 121 km

Wednesday 14.8, (Day 14) Split - Sibenik

I woke up around 7 am at the ferry. I went to a deck to see the view. Croatian coastal line is just beautiful. Ferry was already approaching the harbor so I went to a bottom deck with my sign to ask for a lift to Zadar. After asking from many drivers, nobody could give me a lift forward. I stepped out from the ferry among others and went to harbor exit to hitch with a sign. I stood there around 20 min until a guy came and said it's a better spot a bit further. I didn't follow his tip, instead I went to search for a bus to Dugopolje. That was a place Hitchwiki.org recommended. Public transportation is rather feasible so I was okay with it. The driver was helpful and soon I could get out from the right stop, which was a petrol station. It was along a highway which goes partly to right direction.

So my aim was to reach Deringaj, where a psychedelic music festival called Lost Theory, was about to begin on the same day. I couldn't imagine the effort I had to do.. I started asking from the drivers on the petrol station. No result. Some of the people were going to different direction, somebody's car was full, somebody was going to Sibenik, somebody said the car was full although it wasn't. That's one thing which really frustrates me. But no can do. I decided to stay positive and polite. After an hour or two, I went to the road with the sign, with no result. I came back. I made a sign to Zagreb, if it would work better. One more hour. I was getting really desperate. And it was damn hot, like in Italy in August. My water reserves decreased and decreased. I got a 4km lift to a better spot, from a family. Although I just briefly met them, the woman promised to accommodate me if I sometimes arrive to Zagreb. It cheered me up a bit. They drove me near to a high-way toll, where all the cars have to stop and they go to right direction. However, there was a sign "no autostop" although it doesn't make any sense, because we don't cause any threat by hitching in front of a toll. Cars have to stop there anyway.

I wasn't alone. First there came a couple, other at least was from Poland. They also thought hitching in Croatia was surprisingly difficult which I had noticed. Then another couple, two boys also came there hitching. I stood there around an hour and came really really frustrated and tired. After eating only some fruits for breakfast, standing in front of the sun for 4 hours, there's nothing surprising about it.. I was also in a hurry, going to the festival. It was such a surprise for me that hitching can be so hard. On the first hand you meet amazing, helpful, local people but on the other hand, you might stand next to a road for many hours with no result, starving there. In those situations, it's hard to stay positive.

But finally!! A car stopped, an old van. I went straight inside. There was a middle-aged man. He was going to Sibenik. I decided to go because I wanted go forward, no matter how far. His name was Ivan. His English was okay enough, but he could still explain lots of things and I understood. While he was approaching Sibenik and I was supposed to take another lift to continue, he offered if I would like to stay with his family for the night. I thought myself for a while. I wanted to go to the festival but I was also very tired and hungry. Although I didn't know Ivan and I was alone, I decided to agree, because he seemed like an honest man. 

He showed me some big dried pieces of meat which were hanging in his friend's cellar. It was a bit gross, but I'm sure they were going to be delicious. I hope they weren't unlucky hitch-hikers.. Then we arrived to his home in Sibenik's countryside. He had built the whole house himself. I could clearly notice he had ideals of what is he doing. He had a garden with lemon, ficus and apple trees, grapes, herbs, melons and much more.. And chickens! Amazing..

We went inside to the living room and there was a part of his family: his wife, their daughter, daughter's boyfriend, boyfriend's mother, his sister and his sister's husband.. and me :D. Younger one's spoke good English but also his sister. They all smiled at me and soon I felt as being a part of their family for a while. They gave me a glass of juice. It felt like heaven.. I was so thirsty. And then we ate together. It was stew with vegetables and lamb. It was all local.

I was so hungry. First time in my life, I ate a kidney. . They kind of saved me and they must have felt hilarious when watching at me, eating like a starving little animal. Then some local dessert and different local wines, some of them they had made themselves.. Aahh, I wouldn't ever have imagined to end up in this miraculous situation.

Getting cured by lovely people

Then we went to Sibenik with a little group. They showed me historical places, such as a castle and medieval inner city area.. and a local supermarket!

Me, Ivan's daughter Tanja and his boyfriend Dario. View from the castle of
 Sibenik

It became dark and we returned back. We talked about politics and global issues. Ivan is very interested in those things which I like. Then I could explain my grass-root ecological thinking with a glass of home-made wine :D. I even think they understood me. Then I could go to sleep to a room, which was under construction, on an air-bed. And I slept so good. Skipping the festival on this day was definitely the right decision.

Distance travelled for the day: 87,7km

Tuesday 13.8 (Day 13) Ancona

A driver parked next to me in the morning, nearly drove to the fence in which my hammock was attached. even more, he looked at me weirdly. Next surprise was, that the noisy pigeons had shitted on my stuff. The ironic part was, the napkins I used for cleaning had two loving pigeons on the cover. Damn pigeons.. I wanted to empty some of the additional stuff so I left all the made hitching signs leaning on a wall.

I went to seek for a nice place to sit down and eat breakfast which consisted of a melon I bought from Naples. I also found some more cardboard. After walking through a horrible tunnel full of cars, I entered to the city centre. I bought some food and postcards from a shop. I sat on a nice promenade to write the cards. There was a lovely accordion player playing wonderful songs like Girl from Ipanema and Tango d'jealousie. It gave me such a good mood. Then a woman came talking with me. She wanted to give me one euro. Just because she wanted to. I accepted the donation with great gratitude, because she was really willing to.

After I went sleeping to a park for few hours, to have my siesta. Finally I continued my tour around the city, stopped to another park to make a hitching sign for Croatia. Apparently, it works as a good ice-breaker because a couple teenagers came talking with me because of their curiosity of my doings. They were really enthusiast as I told about my trip. They couldn't speak that good English but even helped me to carry my stuff when I started to go towards the harbor of Ancona. They gave me few euros and cigarettes. It's sweet when young people get so inspired. Maybe they will do something similar in the future. I had to wander around the harbor to search for boarding pass, but in the end I entered to the ferry (which goes from Ancona to Split). After enjoying one of the most beautiful sunsets from the ship deck and feeling the slight and warm wind, I went to look for a bench to sleep. I found a very comfortable and soft bench and could sleep quite well :).

Monday 12.8, (Day 12), Caserta- Ancona

I said goodbye to Carlo's family around 9 am. The moment was emotional so I think they liked me. I even met Carlo's grandmother. She was really sympathetic. I took a train to Naples for a few hours visit.

When walking from the train station I saw a guy wearing a Moomin- T-shirt. The text in it was also in Finnish. I asked about it. He hasn't ever even been to Finland! He was from Morocco.. Interesting..
 I went to National Historical Museum of Naples. Lots of stuff about the Roman times. There was even a room for erotic part. What took my focus, was a picture, in which a donkey mounted a lion. Underneath, there was a text which said: " Ass mounting a lion". I got a bit confused.. Obviously someone had misunderstood something.

After I wanted to find a park. After strolling around I didn't find a proper one, but the open, vast landscape over this old city was really nice. Fruits were also really cheap. Plum tomatoes 1,20e/kg, cantaloupe melon 1e/kg!! By coincidence, I found a building fully covered with stylish and thought-provoking graffities. There were young people sitting in front of it, around a table, so I went to talk with them. The place is a social centre, a 20 years old squat. I got a private tour to the place from a nice, helpful woman, who is a volunteer in there. They do all kinds of useful workshops and events in there, such as rehearsal camps and free Italian courses for immigrants. They really wanted to help people. I could easily let my stuff with them outside when I went inside the building. I also tagged my band's name, Tsapuska, to the wall :D.

Naples is famous for pizza, so I had to find myself the best one. Unfortunately, the best (according to locals) pizza place in Naples, called Sorbillo, was having a break. I still got a good Margarita, straight from a stone oven! And Peroni, per noi, which means: "Peroni for everyone". Then, I had to run for a train to Ancona. There was a two hours break in Rome, where I found a cappuccino for 0,80e! I played harmonica at the railway station and few people wanted to buy it from me. And then running to a train again, to Ancona. When I arrived there, it was midnight. First I started sleeping at the train station among other passengers and homeless people. Someone spoke Russian. One even begged for money but I said all I could offer was a piece of melon in the morning. After 3 hours of sleep, guards woke me up and I had to go away. After 15 min walking, I found a random field next to a petrol station. There was an empty (but locked) building next to it, full of pigeons. Their noise was harassing. I set up the hammock in a lousy way, but I could still sleep.

Thursday 8.- Sunday 11.8, (Days 8-11) Benevento- Caserta

I woke up early and noticed that I had slept almost next to a road. So, I would have had a lot easier access under the bridge by the road than through the jungle-like-man-sized weeds. I started hitching from the same petrol station than yesterday, but soon an old man came and said I should go forward and try there, closer to Caserta. I tried and it worked! After 30min, Mercedes-Benz stopped. An old man, Giovanni, took me around 30km closer and left me to a road on the country-side. I saw goats running in the fields with their bells clinging and an empty old house covered with vines. Cool! I got a lift to Maddaloni, 8km from Caserta. I stayed at a parking area, ate some breakfast (nuts and dried fruits) and waited for Carlo, my Italian friend, who was going to pick me up from there.

Finally he came with his friend, Giovanni. It was so nice to see him again. We went straight to a bar, the thing I needed :). We sat on a terrace, smoking cigarettes of victory, drinking Macchiato and Peroni. Certain old man, got inspired when he met me and offered Peroni's for us.

Finally, we went to Carlo's family, where I stayed few nights. Mother, father, sister, grandmother and a cat. After an amazing dinner (eating rabbit for the first time in my life, tasted like chicken) I said myself I won't be a 100% vegetarian :). Then, Skype-call, Facebook, shower, a short nap, we went out, to see Caserta with Carlo's friends, to see more friends. I learned about the situation with local mafia (Camorra). Then in front of Reggia di Caserta (similar to palace of Versailles, just bigger).

We used cars to go almost everywhere and it was extremely strange for me, to be honest. Lots of people outside. I met Francesco, Carlo's one nice friend, had a guitar! Both of us got excited from Nu-metal and started to compose a new song. All you need is D-drop tuning :D! I also had to say: "Tu sei la piu bella ragazza mai vista" (= you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen) to some girl. There was damn chill house music outside. They played Masters At Work! So euphoric. I was like a Duracell-bunny, dancing myself outside, jumping around places and talking about my trip with people. Most of the people just laughed. A crazy blonde guy, running around places talking strange stories. Friends felt tired and we went sleeping. I could sleep in a bed!! unbelievable. In my humble opinion, car culture in Italy is horrible, and protectionism for property is massive.

Giovanni and a certain traveller

Carlo and a certain traveller

Distance travelled for the day: 54km
An interesting fact: After counting all the costs of last eight days of travelling and the donations I got (excluding ferry price), I used only 22e. It's possible to travel very cheaply. Well, I didn't count the costs of dried fruits and nuts I bought in Finland.

Carlo climbing a bamboo

9.8. After a slow morning, we went to Reggia di Caserta, through a secret route, so we wouldn't have to pay entrance fee. The place was very beautiful and big, but not taken care of very well. Closed green houses, gardens left alone to grow wild. But in a way, I like when places are left alone like this. More things to explore. But then, cultural value of the place, however, is diminished. The place has so much potential. Nice sculptures, although covered with plants. And the landscape! So royal.. Original plan, few hundred years ago, was much more ambitious, but they ran out of money.
First time in my life, I tasted an orange straight from the tree, but it was too sour. We also saw a viper, a poisonous snake. Then we met Carlo's friend and went to the same bar as yesterday. The old man was also there, and offered Macchiatos for us. I also heard I talk too much. Their prejudice about Finns was a bit different :). It started raining very hard, and we had to use car (again) to return Carlo's house. Then watching Fight Club!

Tuomas and Reggia di Caserta

Barbed wire and Caserta at background

Reggia di Caserta

Reggia di Caserta

Home-made liquor made from walnut

10.8. I bought a ticket to a train in advance. We used bicycles :)!! Then we went to Giovanni's place to eat and play a magic card game with computer. A bit nerdish, but in the end it was fun. I wasn't oriented to play with computer during my trip :D. Carlo's mother had made an amazing dinner with tasty, spicy sauce, with shellfish and special bread. Then we went straight to eat pizza with his friends, where I met Mario and Vincenzo, Carlo's good friends. I was told again I talk too much. Pizza and Peroni was only 5e. I took a dogbag full of pizza with me.

11.8. From the pizza restaurant, we went to a bar, drinking limonchello and local spirit. I got drunk. Then meeting new friends, like Salvatore! Talking with various people. It was fun. Then we went to pack our stuff and drove through the night to a beach. It was 8 o'clock when we arrived. We spent almost the whole day there. Swimming, getting sun burned, talking bullshit, sleeping and bad jokes. I went to talk with a girl, because her hair was blonde. I wondered if she was from Scandinavia. She wasn't but had roots in Poland (Ahh.. Poland). And her hair was coloured, because blonde hair is so awesome ^^. She could give me this photo, taken of us :):

All my friends were very tired after the day. At home, I had a nice conversation with Carlo's parents about Finland's situation. I really enjoyed it, wondering together about educational issues and differences between Italy and Finland. This was the last night in Caserta.