Jussi's Blog

A post-indian encounter

2006-02-26T15:54:00.000+05:30

My dear Robert dropped me the following line:

"I googled my name "robert arn lundberg" a while ago just to see what I found and guess what...Its your flickr page which says "My Swedish boyfriend robert arn lundberg"...Thats great ;-) "

Conclusive remarks

2006-02-21T15:25:00.000+05:30

Hi friends,

Hmm, it seems that I took my time writing the last entry. Well, I apologize you all, since I've found out that I got quite a few readers. It feels nice and also a bit strange. The blog seems to be a good way to keep in contact and share your daily experiences with many people you miss but you can't call or send e-mail everyday.

Which takes us back to the "new" experiences. After leaving Kolkata on 7th December we traveled with my precious Kaisa the South of India rather extensively. The route was roughly the following:

Bangalore-Mysore-Hampi-Vagator(Goa)-Panaji(Goa)-Gokarna-
Kanyakumari-Trivandrum-Keralanbackwateralltogether-
Kochin-Coonoor-Ooty-Chennai-Mamallapuram-Kolkata.

The last days we spent in Kolkata and met my dear friends from IIMC, saw the campus and my good old room and around the city, which Kaisa liked by the way. It felt a bit like getting back home. It seems that I liked Kolkata, despite all the poverty and crap. It's got a different ambience. And Flury's is still cool!

We boarded our plane early morning the 25th of January and thus came home nearly a month ago. Time flies, as did the plane and now we're here. Strange. But nice. (*

I had a great time in India, met great people and saw impressive and touching things and incidents. But the most important thing is, that I learned a lot of myself. I "grew as a person", as I might say. From all the contradiction I drew some consistency and from all the diffence some similarity with my life and life in general. It's the same people and the same world over there and somehow we're all one. Despite the phrase being so cliché. Many clichés are ultimately true and many bad love songs are sincerily written. It's just about the perception. The sick will to see filth in purity and betrayal in honesty. To find the black sheep among the white.
What's wrong with being naive anyway? Is it my good will or is it just this world gone wrong? (A hint for you all.)

Hmm, looks like I got a bit drewn from the original topic, but anyway, the point was that I got a lot from India and it changed some of me and my life as they said it would.

I'm very happy about the journey and now, after one month, already thinking about further trips.

Thank you for reading and staying with me through the whole episode. This was all about India this time and the last entry will be about life back at home. Sorth of an epilogue.

Namaste!

*) For organisatorial reasons the "life back at home" has been separated as an entry by its own.

Mysore

2005-12-10T11:32:00.000+05:30

Namaste All,

Alive in Mysore, Karnataka, South India. Connection slow, so this will be it. It's great to be together again!
Hugs and kisses!

Kaisa & Jussi

6.12. Itsenäisyyspäivä - Independence day

2005-12-06T14:10:00.000+05:30

Itsenäisyyspäivä,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Happy birthday Finland, 88 years! (6.12.1917)
Dear foreign friends, check out an outstanding website www.virtual.finland.fi!

Today I had my last exam, and I seem to pass all of them! Now, packing my stuff together for take-off tomorrow. And by 4pm, I'll be with Kaisa again!

Kaisa is here!

2005-12-06T05:01:00.000+05:30

My darling Kaisa arrived in Bangalore airport at 5:00 a.m. and was taken safely to the nice hotel I had booked! At the moment, she's waken from her beauty sleep and ready to see the city and her first Indian lunch, with my friend Pradeep.
Thus, everything's fine - and tomorrow great, when we finally meet around 16:00!

Skype with Friends in Bonn

2005-12-02T17:56:00.000+05:30

Friends in Bonn,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Thursday at 30.11.Kaisa's last evening in Bonn. She spent it with the people we both love, lovely.
Jacob, Sara, Alex, Evi - we really miss you already and looking forward to see you soon again! Please remember that you're always welcome to Finland! Or anywhere we stay!
We had a nice and long skype-date with each other and I felt so near with everybody when looking at the photo.

Pusipusi!

The Puppy

2005-12-01T01:49:00.000+05:30

Dry him well and keep warm,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

We have six small and incredibly cute puppies on the campus at the moment. I guess they are 3-4 weeks old, but the mother doesn't seem to care anymore. Luckily the Indian students do, but the odds are still against all of their survival.

This little one is unlucky enough to have LOTS of small brown worms. We tried to wash him (bad idea...) but it didn't help much. The poor guy is itching terribly and crying a lot. We gave them warm milk in the evening. Hopefully the mother comes back tomorrow...

As stated before, Kolkata is not the friendliest place for children in the world.

The Nepal Photos - Finally

2005-12-01T01:45:00.000+05:30

The Hanuman temple on Durbar Square,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Enjoy, unfortunately for some ¤(//&%¤ flickr-reason, I can't rotate some of them. But, on the other hand, it will be good neck gymnastics for you!

Studying

2005-11-29T14:48:00.000+05:30

Haven't been writing lately. The blog, I mean. Fortunately I HAVE written my term papers/thesis and soon I'm hoping to change to too many boring books that I have to skim through by next Monday.

So, after months of fun, the reality bites and we're all serious with the work. Feels good though, because occasionally I'm even effective.

Nepal-photos coming soon. Now some prioritazing...

DAY 84: That's quite a lot!

2005-11-24T15:03:00.000+05:30

Blääh, I blame my youth! "Not nerdy, but definitely not hip", it says... The truth is painful, but I'll take it as a man! Or actually I should take it as a woman, since I think they are better at coping with bad news. Maybe I go and by some chocolate and call my best friend and analyze my current relationship, which I'm a bit concerned about; "What did she mean with THAT few weeks back?!?!?"

No, I don't think so. Rather I play some sports with my buddies, which takes me neatly to today's agenda; sporting event, exchange students against crazy Indians. We're screwed on cricket already... I hope the Indian guys take it less seriously than before. (The traditional sporting event with another business school in October when the other party left after first days after a huge fight, breaking a 25 years old tradition...just too much temper on both sides.)

Oh yeah, I'm back on campus, by the way! Nepal was cool. Petri, Kaisa, Nannajussi, Isä, koska mennään isolle vuorelle?

Back to Shamsara

2005-11-21T17:49:00.000+05:30

Namaste friends!

Finished with the mediation course today - a great and very useful experience. In fact, more questions arose than actually were answered, but that's exactly how it's should be. The course was held by American lama Yeshi, giving it a neatly applicable western context. We're not Tibetans, after all, and most likely will never become either.

The course program was not too intesive, not too loose either. A day might look like this:

6:30 Morning meditation
7:00 Morning tea
7:30 Yoga
9:00 Breakfast

10:00 Teaching
12:30 Lunch
14:00 Teaching
17:00 Yoga and meditation

19:00 Dinner
20:30 Evening meditation (after which silence until the morning meditation)
20:15 Silence = reading, getting to sleep.

Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Center, where the course took place, was a small friendly bunch of huts on the outskirts of Pokhara. Meaning that we were away of the tourist hassle and people trying to sell us something until we drop dead. Nature was quite close and the views to the lake (not to the Annapurna-range) though was picturesque. And again, as so many times on my travels before, I met some great people and we had good discussions about almost everything.

Most of the people taking a course like this never become practicing Buddhists, but the great thing is, that the philosophy behind is so universal, that it's beneficial to everybody to understand and research. For a long time, it's about learning about yourself and developing one's (whatever it means to different people) mental abilities; most importantly in the beginning - concentration. The surprising (maybe?) thing is also that Buddhist thoughts go to great extent hand in hand with the modern (western) science and psychology. In fact, another funny thing is that whereas the western psychology, as a science, was born in 19th century, in the East it's always been engaged with philosophy.

Ok, that was our daily insight to eastern thinking. Tomorrow I'll take the bus to Kathmandu again, and on Wednesday the Indian Airlines flies me safely back home. To Kolkata, that is :-)

Heippa!

Tourist money

2005-11-18T12:37:00.000+05:30

That would be me.

Sitting and having a breakfast on a nice lakeside garden restaurants. A group of kids attacked me and begged me to buy them bread. What can you do after having a great breakfast in the sunshine?

After that buying some Tibetan handicrafts (very beautiful, though, watch out Father Christmas...) from a nice Tibetan girl of my Kaisa's age. Almost us beautiful even.

Today I will disappear for a while again, since I've committed to a 3-day meditation course here in Pokhara. Got some good recommendations for it, and off I go. I don't know how strict the schedule will be, that is, if I'm able to communicate before Monday, but don't worry - everything's great! (btw, phone there will be +977-61-522923)

Good to get rid of tourists once again. These places are not for me for a long time. The whole Lakeside exists only for tourists who spend the average monthly income of a Nepali family on a day. Of course this money indirectly goes to these people's pockets, but it also means that everything is fake. It's difficult to find the balance between an open mindset and the "no thank you, I don't want your very cheap and good room/dinner/taxi/trek/guide/hashish/whatever" attitude.

Ok, I'll be in touch latest on Monday! Have a nice weekend!

Jussi in Pokhara, Nepal

Rollin' on the River

2005-11-17T21:47:00.000+05:30

The kayaking trip was amazing! Now, I'm really tired and going to sleep. But, alive, well and back in Pokhara.

Puss

Kayaking course day 1

2005-11-14T22:10:00.000+05:30

Namaste dear friends!

A very brief report: today was the first day of my four-day kayaking course - superb! We stayed on the lake learning basics skills. Yes, including the eskimo-roll!

Tomorrow we head to Seti river for three days (that is, back on Thu). Really looking forward it and the company is extremely reputable and responsible, so no worries anybody!

Right now I'm sitting in a Internet cafe and listening to my new song "Another life" that Alex sent from Bonn! Thank you Alex, sounds terrific. Miss you and Evi a lot and especially our music sessions!

And now some sleep, since it's been long time since last long one. Btw, mobile isn't working, but no worries once again... :-)

Jussi

Kathmandu!

2005-11-12T13:18:00.000+05:30

Namaste!

Arrived here yesterday afternoon and the place is great! People nice and food great. I book a 4-day kayaking course - Nepal is THE place to be for that!

Now, I'm waiting for my friends to come...I'm bad at making compromises these. I want to do things my way, which includes often only little shopping or wasting time. I know I should try to be more tolerant and I hope I'm developing. Sometimes I behave really badly, what comes to different preferences. On the other hand, I like doing thigs alone, too.

So, tomorrow morning early we take a bus to Pokhara to west and the others do trekking and I do kayaking for the next four days. Now, we're about to experience the old Kathmandu on Durbar (palace) Square and surrounding. Tomorrow morning we already saw a nice Hindu-festival celebrating Vishnu's awakening from his long slumber!

So, I'm doing great and having good adventurous time. The mobile doesn't work yet, but if it will, it would be the Finnish one (+358-40-7707956)

Namaste and enjoy your weekend!

Pusipusi,

Jussi

To Nepal!

2005-11-11T02:42:00.000+05:30

Tomorrow, or actually today, we take the Indian Airlines flight to Kathmandu, Nepal! A quite spontaneous trip (from my side) but which I'm really looking forward to! Culture, adventure sports and maybe meditation will be on program.

But now, back to reality and my project work. Have made some good development today, and some of this text may even some day end up in my long-awaited Master's thesis!

After returning, it's only two weeks left. Time's flying and some am I!

Day 70: Effectiviness but no human values

2005-11-09T16:50:00.000+05:30

Today morning effective working with the project and also some laundry in nice sunshine. But then...

...crash, as I lost my temper with the professor in Rural Development & Social Change. Nayak covered my slip, and later explained that NEVER lose it with the prof and ALWAYS be polite. I was still polite, but I argued a lot. (Yes, Kaisa, I know it's irritating...)

So, I have to go make it up and involve him in the project anyway. Hope it works out fine!

Varanasi 4.-8.11

2005-11-08T23:20:00.000+05:30

The priests,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Great long weekend trip to Varanasi, that is considered to be one of the holiest cities and pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
We went there with Robert and Alexandra on the night train (14 hours). The main attraction in Varanasi is the Ganges-riverside with all the bathing places, ghats. People come to wash away their sins and to pray. Another big thing is dying and burning of the bodies. According to Hindu-belief, dying in Varanasi lets one reach Nirvana and brake free from the unending chain of reincarnation.
Therefore, cremation of the bodies is a big thing in Varanasi. There are two ghats doing this. The young men (below 50) are burned in white clothe, old men in gold, unmarried women in red and married women in gold. It takes up to 3 hours for the entire body to burn; men's chest and women's hips being the most difficult parts.
The atmosphere in the burning place was surprisingly peaceful; it is not allowed to cry, because the soul could be harmed. Burning is also big business and takes a lot of wood. Wood vendors were everywhere accompanied with providers of everything else needed by the families of the passed ones.
Varanasi was a lovely place and most "Indian" I've experienced so far. The extremely narrow lanes of the old city were charmy and life was vibrating everywhere.
I started also my Indian music education with three lessons (one each day) of Sitar!! The last day I was able to play my first simple raga (a melody by certain strict rules). Unfortunately I couldn't (yet) afford buying a sitar, so it will take some time before I'll master this interesting and fascinating instrument.

On Monday I touristed the vast Buddhist area in Sarnath with Eloise, an Australian girl we met on Sunday with Robert and Alex. Sarnath is a nice place around the Dhamekh Stupa which commemorates Buddha's first preaching after he had reached enlightenment in Bodhgaya. On this area all the Buddhist nations in the world have established their own temples, which allows one a great opportunity to compare different Buddhist temple architectures! Tibetan is still my favourite with it's bright but natural colours and wooden furnishing.

A fascinating city and I found that I could've spent much more time learning my sitar and just experiencing the atmosphere!

Day 64: Studies again

2005-11-03T23:57:00.000+05:30

The last some days have been mostly trying to study (that is writing my reports) and going to classes. Actually, today I've been quite succesfull and the report looks neatly as a real scientific paper, which I'm secretly proud of. Studying has been nice for a change, especially when I know we're traveling soon again!!

This weekend (Fri-Tue) it's to Varanasi, perhaps the sacriest and at least the most widely known Hindu pilgimage city by the might river Ganga! So, you'll get a full report on Tuesday!

We've had some wonderful telephone calls with Kaisa these days and things feel very nice! We're both looking forward to our traveling together, which is not actually so far any more! Little over a month!

And, my lovely sister Johanna got a great job by a great Finnish company in the great capital of Finland! Congratulations - way to go, sis!

Alas, my stomach has been hurting for two days; let's all hope it'll pass soon. All right?

I have to wash my hair today, since it's getting greasy. But, it looks really good these days! Not too long, not too short! And with some new-grown beard, I look really handsome. Great indeed!

Day 62: Diwali 1.11.

2005-11-01T23:43:00.000+05:30

The hottest couple on campus!,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Tuesday 1.11. was the Hindu festival of light, Diwali, which was celebrated nicely in the campus.

We got ourselves halfway to the city to Behala to shop traditional clothes (Kurta - the long loose shirt and pyjama - the pants) because everybody was supposed to dress ethnic. Nice!

The beginning was postponed twice, with total 2,5 hours, because of decorations. The ceremonies started with Puja held by a priest and following by people greeting each other "Happy Diwali". The whole event was warm and actually very Christmas like (except no peace, from now on).

Then we had a very nice outdoor dinner in the basketball court with nominating best dressing people (mr & ms Stepper and Indian resp.). The results:

Ms Indian: Sangamittra (*
Ms Stepper: Heidi
Mr Indian: Binu
Mr Stepper: Robert

*) as picked by myself

I found out that choosing "the Miss" is rather choosing dozens who DON'T win (and are pissed off at you) than choosing the one winner. That's why it's so easy with Kaisa, because she's always the number one! Right, babe?

The evening went on with observing and evaluating the decorations in different hostels (there was a competition - naturally), which New Hostel won.

Then some very angerous and loud (at least to western point of view) fireworks and crackers.

People went on until who knows how late. I went to sleep after some homemade noodles at Robert's room.

And a small fight caused by me about train tickets to Varanasi. I've observed that although I'm generally more patient and easy-going than maybe before, I might have picked some Indian temper...

Day 60: Reasons to avoid studying, pt. 412

2005-10-30T17:30:00.000+05:30

I can't write my report because the book that I would need is laying on the bed more than a meter away.

Day 57: The death of a cat

2005-10-27T23:58:00.000+05:30

Tonight I went to Abhishek's room to play my knew song and to change some thoughts. He informed me that the kitten, born a month ago approximately, was in very bad shape. I went to see her two rooms down and found her laying on the floor the little head resting on a piece of paper. She was not much more than a skeleton with bad fur and no will to live. She was breathing very hardly and with her eyes closed only seldom moved a bit. The mother (very thin as well, apparently unable to take care of her) seemed uneasy, but also unwilling to spend time with the baby kitten. I don't think she had abandoned her, though.

Three minutes later the guy came to inform us that the little kitten had stopped breathing, and thus, died. Everybody was silent and I was impressed by the way people felt so strong about her death. They buried her behind the room and the night cantine. Some where crying a bit and the atmosphere was really touching.

I like animals and no one can imagine anything more cute than a little kitten BUT I couldn't help thinking why we are much less touched about dozens of children (the human ones) dying every night on the streets of Kolkata. It's not easy to be small in this city. Or a mother!

Ironically, the song (called "My clean hands") I played to Abhishek was about human ignorance in the world and in this city/campus in particular. It's a provocative one underlining our life in the cost of the others, less lucky people, whose works and lives are converted into meaningless material to supply our selfish needs.

Well, provocation without self example and words with no action behind them don't deserve to be heard. Too much empty talk in this world.

Including mine.

My Independent Travel - THE COMPLETE STORY

2005-10-25T16:45:00.000+05:30

The wheel of life in New Ralang,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Check out the photos and the story from here.

Goecha La -trek - THE COMPLETE STORY

2005-10-23T02:00:00.000+05:30

Our camp and mighty Mt.Pandim, 6691m,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

It was a great trip. Take a look at the photo set "Goecha La" and read the comments.

Going home

2005-10-21T19:21:00.000+05:30

Sitting in an small Internet-outlet in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. I got the early morning Jeep taxi from Singhik to Mangan (15min), jeep to Gangtok (3hrs) and to Siliguri (4hrs) and an autorickshaw to New Jalpaiguri (20min). Next step will be the train, Kanchyan Kanya express, to Kolkata (12,5hrs).
I was REALLY lucky to get the train ticket only four hours in advance; luck and licking, I would say. The other option would've been 12-16hrs in a "Disco-bus", which then again is not so attractive, if you don't happen to LOVE hindi-pop. But in one hour I will board my nice and hard sleeping place in a crowded, but comfortable train!

New Jalpaiguri is one of those "towns" that exist for being a junction. It's the end stop of railway to the north and gateway to Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Nepal, Bhutan and the Indian Northeastern states. Thus, it's not all that attractive, whatsoever...
It has this semi-sleazy trucker stop attitude with dozens of identical (including the menu) small eateries, vendors, beggars, and probably prostitutes, who btw are not very visible in India, although very much existing. The unholy relationship of truckers and hookers contribute sadly to worsening HIV-situation in India.

However, I had a breakfast/luch/dinner date with Michael Palin and got too fascinated by the high mountains again. We had some discussions with Arun, our great mountain guide about some small scale climbing trip to Himachal Pradesh in November; maybe I have to give it a second thought...

The biggest reason I decided to leave today was instict. In the morning I just boarded the first transport there was with an idea to travel either to Kalimpong, Bhutan or back home. Since it's been raining heavily in the whole state for the whole day (in Cal actually for four days, said Robert) I decided to go home. (Into the rain, why?)

I really felt good about my decision and actually am looking forward to get back to my room now. It's a great feeling of freedom in traveling like thisl I'm free to go anywhere - including home.

Thus, my next postings will be from the campus. Also, changed back to my Indian mobile; +91-9831-555906

PS: Congratulations to TuKY (Students' union of Turku School of Economics and Business Administration) for the past 55 years! I hate to miss the party, especially because of missing the singing with Mercanto and Cantus Mercurialis and also receiving some compliments... ;-)

Kappale kauneinta Sikkimia!

2005-10-20T19:26:00.000+05:30

(A piece of the most beautyful Sikkim)

I traveled north to the tiny village on Singhik with Jenny and Daniel from Switzerland. The sense of emptiness and wilderness was more present than elsewhere in Sikkim, I had traveled before. Also was the army. Since Sikkim is bordering Tibet, the question of defense (I hate that word - defense means war, nothing else) is still dominant in the area.

Singhik is the furthernmost village where you can travel with the standard permit, but it was not the reason to do it. The nature and the peace was. We stayed in a small family-ran questhouse "Friendship" and had a nice walk uphill to a gompa through mature rice-fields. The area doesn't see many tourists and people where curious about us, which was nice.

The evening saw some listening to music with two iPods and small speakers. Technocrats in the nature? Yeah, it didn't fit.

Rest and shave

2005-10-19T21:25:00.000+05:30

Hi Friends,

Today I really enjoyed sleeping in the morning and woke up at seven! Got my stay permit extended and spent some time with a Swiss couple, Jenny and Daniel. A monastery and the Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok. Nothing spectacular but a good resting day with a PIZZA in "Little Italy".

But the big thing of the day occured in the evening! I got my beard shaved. Felt nice and costed 10rs. For the record, last time I did it was back in Finland...

Tomorrow (thu) I'm planning to go once again bit further in Sikkim to the North before returning to West Bengal and the plains. The wild north! I hope. Probably not. Just 50km. But some tranquillity after the Gangtok hassle, which then again is of course nothing compared to Kolkata but still.

I'm not made for big cities I notice. At least not for the ones with too much pollution and noise.

So, tomorrow some peace again! And nature!

puss och kram

Jussi

Gangtok, Sikkim

2005-10-18T20:27:00.000+05:30

Hello friends,

a very brief update from Himalayas! Just arrived in Gangtok, capital of Sikkim. Last night and two days I spent with a GREAT Tibetan family in a Tibetan refugee village near Ravangla. Slept in their house, ate the mothers superb Tibetan food and hiked around with their eldest Son Karma Tashi (=good karma).

The whole Tibetan culture was a big experience and I spent some hours in their library reading about the history, situation and their buddhism. None of the people I talked to had ever lived in Tibet, but the culture lived strong in them.

You can visit "www.tibet.com or "www.freetibet.org to get some insight into the subject.

Now its Tuesday evening and I'm tired since its already 20.34 and these days I'm used to be in bed by ten and awake in the sunrise at 5. Nevertheless, got to get something to eat and some money and maybe a clean t-shirt since I just took everything to the laundry...

Probably I will stay a couple of days around here and then move back to south. This means, most probably I will travel until the weekend. Everything is going great, but homesickness is growing...especially to Bonn...

And "MERCANTO!!! I'm actually quite jealous about all the great quartett-stuff going on. Anssi, it would be great if you would get some photos to web. And yes! Croatia next autumn!!!

Ok, done and hungry! Miss you all and wish you a nice autumn!

Jussi

Update from the Himalayas

2005-10-14T17:51:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

it's so much to write right now. I've had an amazing trek for seven days in the Himalayas in Sikkim, India. We started from the village of Yaksum (1700m) and a small team of us made it as high as to 4940m to Goecha La, a pass between Goecha Peak and the mighty Kanchendjonga (ca. 8600m) - the third highest peak in the world! So, we literally turned back facing the wall of eternal ice.

We came down yesterday and the rest of our team left back for Kolkata today morning. I decided to stay in the mountain area for some more time and made my way to a beautiful Sikkimese-tibetan village of Pelling (2000m). I came with a German guy, Joy, and two Danish girls, Mette and Nina who are supposed to leave for Darjeeling in a couple of days. But for couple of days we travel together.

Right now I'm sitting in a tiny Internet-cafe in the village of Geyzing. People in Sikkim are extremely friendly, happy and quite well off. There is no poverty and the Nepalese, Tibetan, Bhutanese and Lepcha culture mix up by forming the Sikkimese identity.

This place is closest to paradise I've ever been to!

The complete Himalayan report will be followed as soon as I return to the campus. From here it seems impossible and also unimportant. My Himalayan experience is still building up. I think it never gets ready!

Despite the happiness of this Shangri La, I miss you, all dears. I miss Kaisa, with whom I haven't had the contact yet after my trek / her San Fransisco trip. I hope we get a phone contact tonight.

So, everything is going perfect, I'm several thousands of kilometers away from the earthquake-area (=NO NEED TO WORRY), weather is fine and my trekking gear, attitude and fitness is/was a great success!

From now on I will be available mobile (the Finnish +358-40-7707956, the Indian is so far Kaputt) and "in the civilized world" or "ihmisten ilmoilla", so to say!

I love you people and miss you. Right now I'm doing exactly what I was supposed to: travel all by myself.

And yes, I'll be careful... :-)

Kanchendjonga

2005-10-08T21:43:00.000+05:30

Goecha La 050,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

The morning of the 3rd trekking day gave us the first clear weather, meaning a great sunrise view to the 3rd highest peak in the world, between Nepal and India.

Sikkim, Great Himalayan Range - trip begins

2005-10-05T18:09:00.000+05:30

Leaving for Himalaya 003,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

The next two weeks (approx) I'll spend trekking. Try to be in touch.

Day 33: A big Gig

2005-10-03T18:16:00.000+05:30

Concert and XL-meet on Campus 032,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

A VERY improvised concert in a pouring rain. Our "Evil Eclipse Trio" began to play at 4:30...

Thank you Ville!

2005-10-03T02:27:00.000+05:30

Ville is my dear, oldest Friend (in friendship years) and an it-guru, whom I worship and on whom I rely what comes to this blog for example. It's because of Ville's help and valuable instructions that I'm able to share my experiences through web, which I'm of course grateful about.

Visit Ville's web (NOT a blog...as he often corrects) at www.unessa.net ! Years of excellence and bullshit in web-publishing! Go for it, jätkä!

Thank you Ville!

Day 32: Mahatma Gandhis's Birthday 2.10

2005-10-03T02:02:00.000+05:30

Rainy Day in the campus; didn't matter. I was effective. From the morning; meditation, studying, laundry, lunch, call to Kaisa, more studying, some playing, blogging and finally AN INDIAN MOVIE!

What could have been better movie on the birthday of "Father of India". "Mahatma Gandhi was assasinated in 1948, only a year after the Indian indepence. Our movie was a family-drama about a father who, because of and childhood-trauma believed he had murdered the great leader. The movie was called "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, "I didn't kill Gandhi". Go see it, if its available in Europe.

Our film was of course without subtitles, but they had some (funny) English idioms and sentences in between the dialogue in Hindi (common to Indian movie, English is one of the official languages, after all). I sat next to Abhishek, so I also got some translation help. Good experience.

Pizza Hut,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Before that we had a pizza in Pizza-huttunen and afterwards coffee with a brownie. I really needed that after a month. Tasted great! The funny thing, I would never go to a Pizza-Hut in Finland, but here...now the Indian food tastes great again!

Just came to my room (2:15am) after a rather good band rehearsal. Gig on Tuesday. We'll doing fine. One is my song, "A Lullaby", love song for Kaisa! Sweet!

Day 31: Pool

2005-10-01T14:41:00.000+05:30

Boys playing in the water,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

We went to a swimming pool quite nearby. Great times playing games like little boys. Climbing the slide was so much fun - I can't remember when I last have laughed so much!

Rock Climbing Course!

2005-09-28T00:55:00.000+05:30

Zoomer pt 3,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

Check out the photos from last weekends (Thu-Mon) rock climbing course. Great experience and personal success! More text coming, I hope...:-)

Kollektiiviterveiset pt. 2

2005-09-27T22:40:00.000+05:30

Tervehdys Ystävät, Toverit!

Rupiaapa olemaan kuukausi siitä, kun lähdin tänne Intiaan, joten lienee korkea aika saattaa yleisön tietoon henkinen ja fyysinen tilani: se on vakaa. Suurin osa tämän kyllä tietääkin, mutta majailen siis Kolkatassa (eli Calcutta) Indian Institute of Managementin gekkonkauniilla ja moskiitonmukavalla kampuksella.

Joo, kuuman kostea, kuten eräskin iskelmä taannoin julisti. Kaikki homehtuu, mutta onneksi intialainen ruoka on hyvää. Ei vaan, oikeasti oon kotiutunut hyvin ja ihan hyvin mennee, niin sanoakseni. Tässä vaiheessa alkaa olla ikävä, paitsi tietysti teitä kaikkia, niin kaikenlaista raikasta!

Mutta ei huolta!! Moinen korjaantuu viikon päästä, jolloin lähden pariksi viikoksi Himalajalle trekkailemaan. Otan siinä vähän ommoo lommookin.
Sen verran musiikillisia kuulumisia, että meillä on täällä bändi ja piisisuoli tursuaa kovasti yli, toisin kuin se toinen, mistä olen kovin hyvilläni. (Koputtaa puuta.) Bändikämppä on melko eksoottinen ja sanotaan, että Rautalaukauksen maja Haritussa oli sittenkin aika moderni, joskin kylmä, mitä tämä täällä ei suinkaan ole.

Olen kerrankin tavannut täydellisen musiikintekokumppanin, joka pitää samanlaisesta depressiivisestä mukamastaideshoegazingrokista, kuin minäkin. Harmi vaan, että se on inkkari, mutta sillä on hassu ääni. Vähän semmoinen ruikuttava, mikä on entisestään vaan plussaa!

Sitten elämän perusasioihin. Ne ovat kunnossa, lukuunottamatta sitä tosiasiaa, että Kaisa on Bonnissa, jossa on toisaalta mukavaa, mutta minä en ole siellä ja päinvastoin. Ruoka on hyvää, mikä tulikin jo sanottua, enkä ole nähnyt vielä vessassa käärmettä. Yksi poika näki kun se käärme söi sammakon. Hyi. Jotkut ovat tottuneet siihen, että jalkani hikoavat kovasti; näin ei tapahdu täällä, mikä olosuhteet huomioonottaen on vähintäänkin kummallista. Paitsi sitten kun menee ilmastoituun tilaan; siellä tulee hiki jalkoihin ja flunssa nenään. Se on hanurista. En siis tykkää siitä.

Ja sitten käyn nyt täällä mörssillä, että Rauto, Teräs ja Boriz vaviskaa sitten kun tulen takas! Tulee nimittäin mieletöntä muskelia kun syö pelkkää riisiä ja currya ja sitten välillä jonkun kitukasvuisen kanan. Ja joskus ei mitään, kun ei ole ruokahalua. Ihan hullu treeni! Tänäänkin söin jugurtin ja sain ihan kipeesti protskui, tiätsä! Huomenna aamulla koitan (taas, mutta tällä kertaa tosissani) herätä aikaisin ja mennä lenkille. Viime kerta olikin 20K Johannan kanssa Helsingissä päivää ennen lähtöä. Että semmoinen kevyt kuukauden tauko. Mutta muuten on urheiltu ja tietty joogattu, mutta ei niin paljon kuin oli tarkoitus. Ja just tultiin kolmen päivän kalliokiipeilykurssilta, joka oli rankahko, mutta siisti.

Intialaiset ovat jännää porukkaa! Vähän niin kuin ruotsalaiset, mutta ei sinne päinkään! Pääosin ne ovat uskomattoman avuliaita, paitsi silloin kun niille maksetaan siitä. Ehkä se johtuu siitä, että niille maksetaan niin huonosti, mutta toisaalta eipä ole hinnatkaan pahoja. Jos taas vaan pyytää apua niin varmasti saa sitä liiankin kanssa; ts. "siirrä pesukoneeni" tarkoittaa "tyhjennä asunto ja maalaa se". En ole kuitenkaan maalannut, ja miksipä olisin, sillä ei ole kyllä ollut mitään syytäkään! Seinät ovat miellyttävän keltaiset, joten rauhassa saa istuskella. Huone on noin 2,5 x 4m, eli ihan sopiva. Kaappi on sympaattinen betoniratkaisu, mikä osaltaan edesauttaa homeen muodostumista. Muut huonekalut (sänky, pöytä ja hylly x2) ovat puuta, mikä sopiikin oivallisesti ekologiselle mielenlaadulleni, sillä tämä puu ei todellakaan ole tiikkiä. Pikemminkin päinvastoin.

Dekoraatioissaan intialaiset ovat hillittyä kansaa; kaikenlainen kitsch on täällä täysin tuntematonta, ja värikarttoja tulkitaan huolella ja tyylillä. Kaikenlaiset vilkkuvat valot, räikeät sireenit ja kovat äänet ovat täysin pannassa, ja tavallinen kadunmies ei koskaan jätä hökkeliään katsomatta ensin peiliin ja varmistamatta vaatteiden yhteensopivuuden.

Mistä päästäänkin siihen, että onhan Intiassa (arvioista ja määritelmistä riippuen) 100-300 miljoonan hengen keskiluokka, jonka kulutustottumusten länsimaistumiselta kaikki 300 miljoonaa Hindu-jumalaa meitä varjelkoon! Se loppu ei sitten aina tulekaan niin hyvin toimeen, joten seuraakin tajunnanvirran vakava osuus: köyhyyttä, kurjuutta ja kuolemaa näkee koko ajan. Siitä ei pääse eroon, eikä sille voi tehdä mitään, mikä tuntuu useinmiten kamalalta. Paras tapa auttaa on järjestöjen kautta, tai antamalla ruokaa. Rahat menevät muiden taskuun. Uskomaton paradoksi on se, että kurjimmassakin loukossa löytyy yleensä aina hymyileviä ihmisiä. Sanotaan, että Intia muuttaa ihmistä ja luultavasti tämä pitää paikkansa. Kyllä sen pitäisi antaa hieman perspektiiviä, kun lapset leikkivät alasti paskassa (kirjaimellisesti), kadut täyttyvät nukkuvista luurangoista ja orpolapset kantava pikkusisaruksiaan (joskus myös markkinointikikka, kerjäläiset kun ovat järjestäytyneet ja parhaimmat tienaavat oikein hyvin) kerjuulla asemilla. Välillä sydän tuntuu kovalta ja välillä meinaa hajota. Välillä kaikki vaan vituttaa ja välillä tuntuu, että elää elämänsä upeinta aikaa. Onkin sanottu, että Intia on joka lailla vastakohtien ja äärimmäisyyksien maa; tunteiden kirjo saattaa yhden päivän aikana mennä täysin laidasta laitaan.

Tämä oli nyt tällainen tajunnanvirtamaili, ja mielestäni erinomainen sellainen! Lisäksi saatettakoon tietoonne, että koitan pitää säännöllistä blogia netissä, eli katsokaapa osoitteessa http://jussisblog.blogspot.com. Sieltä pääsee myöskin kuviin, joten pitäkään itsenne ylöspäivitettyinä ja seuratkaa blogin tuotoksia. Blogista suuri kiitos ja kunnia Villelle, jota ilman tämä ei olisi ollut mahdollista! Kiitos!

Ja suuret terveiset kaikille luokille! Lähettäkää tätä eteenpäin, jos tuntuu siltä, että joku kovasti tärkeä on jäänyt listalta puuttumaan. Sellaista sattuu. Kyllä kaikki sen tietävät.

Lopuksi lainaan ystävääni ja Intian tuntijaa Paukku Ottossonia:

"Hyvää matkaa! Muista luoda kontakteja monenlaisiin ihmisiin; sekä älykkäisiin ja rikkaisiin yliopistoheppuihin, että tavalliseen kansaan, siivoojiin, puutarhureihin, kauppiaisiin ja rikshakuskeihin, niin löydät Intian monet kasvot. Opettele odottamaan. Asiat tapahtuvat aikanaan, ehkä. Anna itsellesi aikaa muodostaa omat mielipiteesi kaikesta näkemästäsi ja kokemastasi. Nauti joka hetkestä."

No niin Heippa!

Jussi

Day 15: Heart pains

2005-09-15T22:39:00.000+05:30

We went to the city to buy a present to Umashankar's parents since we'll occupy their house during the coming weekend. The department store was nice and western but cheap.
I caught myself thinking about all the things we could buy to our own home with Kaisa!

We're living a crisis at the moment. We both knew it would happen but still it feels bad. She's uncertain with the work and the future together seems so distant now. I haven't written for a while and I feel terrible about it. The could thing is that we both now it will pass. Now, we just have to live our lives separately. Tomorrow we will hopefully get a phone contact. I've promised to Abhishek (and myself) a song for the coming concert and right now it seems very clear what to sing about; love and distance, the usual stuff...

I also try to get back the positive and naivistic style that used to be there when the blog started. On the other hand, this is reflections about my trip and therefore you can't get it out everyday. Ei kukko käskien laula, right?

Day 14: Day after and another night

2005-09-14T12:21:00.000+05:30

Quite a hangover! I didn't realize it last night. Looks like alcohol & heat & me still don't go together very well...

In the evening we had a STEP-student orientation event, where the Dean and STEP-coordinator-professor spoke. Good information and good speakers. Enjoyed! The best outcome, however, was the presentations of all the clubs on campus. Once again I find myself wanting to do everything! Adventure club, the band-org JBS BaroC (a shadow of the almight to "KYSS), Indian Culture...-association, Yoga & gym...

On the other hand, my purpose of being here is to find some rules and regulations for my galloping mind; to learn patience and self-satisfaction. Give up performing for others or even for myself and learn to let go.

But the outcome, yeah - sure looks good! And besides, we got a great cake!

Day 13: Music!

2005-09-13T17:09:00.000+05:30

Concert on Campus 016,
originally uploaded by Jussi Nummelin.

We had a great concert on campus, when India's best flutist Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia came to play with some fellow musicians. The concert was great, but the atmosphere - despite the nice surroundings of the Stupa-shaped building of MCHV - was a bit clinical. Somehow the "line of drama" was not quite there.
In the evening we had Maxim's birthday party and some "booli" and beers. Good time in general and some listening to some very good music! It turned out that we all boys love the sweet and tender Belle & Sebastian!

Day 12: The blog starts...

2005-09-12T12:00:00.000+05:30

I feel cold, but get my blog started. No its only the content...

Digha, We(s)t Bengal 9.-11.9.2005

2005-09-11T20:43:00.000+05:30

Trip to Digha was a good experience. On Saturday we saw some temples, countryside on board an autorickshaw, introducing as to "Indian way of travel", that is 14 people and seats for 6. In the evening it turned out that almost all the exchange students were in Digha, so we threw a small party in the Hotel's bar. The quitar was of course there.
The night featured a big cockroach (=torakka, la cucaracha) hunt in our room. Bart and Heidi bravely hunting and me showing light and taking a video. Dirty job, but someone's got to do it!

On Sunday our delegation (Abhishel, Johan, Bart, Robert and Me) woke up early to see things and to book train tickets back. We also woke up at 5am to see the sunrise, but we didn't due to the rain.
We went to swim in between very heavy showers. (Why in between?) After swimming we searched for shelter in local fishermen's hut, which turned out to be a very powerful experience. Simple life; the locals sell their fish to the hotels etc and with the money they buy some rice. The children were happy playing naked in small bonds in the lawn. Few cows stood some meters away. Johan gave the fisherman his knife, of which he was very happy about! When we left, they were waving for goodbye!

In the train we saw rice fields pass by and a stunning sunset after the rain. Again I had the feeling of holistic experiencing. The feeling that you can't quite process everything you see. But in a positive sense.

Even the stomach couldn't process everything and I snapped a pair of Imodium, the wunder-medicine that blocks your lower end, for quite some time actually.

Day 9: First trip outside - Digha

2005-09-09T16:20:00.000+05:30

16:20 The bus is leaving Esplanade Station, Kolkata. After waiting for an hour. They cheated us with the price of the tickets, 150rs instead of 90. Just lied with an honest face, that its more expensive because its express or something and stops only once and its got videos! Its raining like hell and I'm feeling cold. And thus, pissed off. Come to India and catch a flu!

Soon things get back to perspective (Kaisuli HUOM!) - naked kids playing happily with some garbage in the dirt. I feel ashamed.

21:20 The Bus arrives in Digha. The ride is rather comfortable. We call it the "Disco-bus" because of loud music and Bollywood-music videos. In urban India everything is loud.
The bus stops in each small village of course, but it doesn't matter. I'm happy! I use the new iPod. Its brand new and white and beautiful.

The music tip of the day: Listen ro Ron Sexsmiths "Cobblestone Runway" -album. Incredible music!

Touts (the guys who get small provision of taking travelers into certain hotels/stores etc...) are pretty easy in Digha. One "No" is enough and we take the hotel we want without any persuasing.

Getting the room and the price settled was a Kampf between a German and Indian mind. Sandra had to give up this time. Others were laughing. In India you have to feel relaxed. Its not always easy, but I'm quite satisfied with my performance and actually starting to like some oddities :-)

23:27 By the sea at last! High tide, half moon and the waves are impressive. The tallest ones rush over the wall!

00:30 Mum calls. Nice to talk back to home. Everything is all right!

Day 9: Mantra

2005-09-09T00:20:00.000+05:30

I really like the course "Managerial Effectiviness & Human Values". The lecturer, rather charismatic speaker, described it like an adventure, which of course sounds funny to you - you cynics, relax - but sounded very interesting.

In nutshell, the idea of the course is to mix human values, psychology, old Indian mythology, spirituality and art of living (not THE "Art of Living) to modern business management. Its offered by the special "Management Center for Human Values" stationed here by the IIMC. Very interesting and captivating. We even ended the lecture with a brief meditation exercise. There's something coming...

Day 8: Nothing happened

2005-09-08T20:07:00.000+05:30

Yes, its true.

Day 7: Experiencing Kolkata

2005-09-07T21:30:00.000+05:30

At 21:30 we stay in the middle of the Ghat (a Hindu-bathing place; basically wide stairway descending to the water) by the river Hooghly (a daughter to the holy Ganga). A surreal feeling standing here in the middle of the city that most people would consider one big slum.

The river is the center of all; its a place to wash yourself and the dishes, its the trash container and the sewer. Its the road and its an obstacle. Next to the ghat stands a temple of Kali called Badabazoo and a priest comes to talk to us. Tapan Ku Panda from Puri stays here with his colleagues taking care of worship on this temple.

The area near the Howrah bridge is famous for its fish- and flower market. We just visit the flower market, where different smells and scents mix in a lovely way. Well let's not be too modest; its basically shit and Lotus. The wonderful scent of Lotus fortunately winning.

Its raining a bit; people seem poor but happy. By 10pm streets are full of people sleeping just wherever. On the other side of the bridge vegetables and flowers are sold and people are shopping for daily things.

The remarkable (and pleasant) thing is that nobody tries to sell us anything; we're aliens and far from the target group. The feeling is great and powerful, but also a bit voyeristic; everybody is interested in our doings and the other way round. We see extreme poverty, but also happiness.

And the most surprising thing is that it doesn't even cross our (being Me, Johan and Robert - of course) minds to be afraid! Violence and theft seem to be completely out of question. That's worth thinking about; 13 million people and no reason to be afraid?

"Vähän toista, kuin kotona - vai mitä, Frank?" (Eikös niin Heikki?). No irritating Chowingree-Scheisse: "Buy sir, please sir - very beautiful sir!"

Suits you sir, oh!

Day 7: The awakenings

2005-09-07T09:17:00.000+05:30

As predicted, waking up was not the easiest one. After four hours sleep I went to the lecture just to find it postponed.
--> Back to sleep and lunch before next class at 14hrs.

Day 6: What happened on Tuesday?

2005-09-06T16:37:00.000+05:30

The following things happened on Tuesday:
-I went to the gym twice. The instructor seems a bit wacko; wants to control everything and doesn't let me put more weight or do bench press before "I'm ready"
-I froze during the lectures
-First time to spend the whole day on campus
-We had a step-student - buddy -eveningparty. Nice time and beers! And a lot of names to forget.
-Afterparty acoustic concert by the lake
-"A day in the life" was rewarded by the audience.
-I met Abhishek Guru; guy with great taste in music and nice and fragile indie-pop voice. Promised to introduce me well to Indian classical music! Shakti!!!

Day 6: One week without each other

2005-09-06T11:23:00.000+05:30

Today its exactly one week since I saw Kaisa stepping into a bus that would take her away from me for exactly three months.
We cried a bit and hugged and kissed a lot. Still feel it. Bye bye baby!!

VERY IMPORTANT REMARK

2005-09-05T11:00:00.000+05:30

Most of my friends know that sometimes my feet sweat quite a lot. Now, the situation in India - despite the heat and the moisture - is completely different! My feet are as dry and gentle as they can be!

BUT, going inside to the air-conditioned lecture hall they immeditially started to sweat! This is a very profound and important remark and will probably affect my life - and maybe those of the yours as well - greatly.

I don't know yet how, but it sure will!

Day 5: Classes

2005-09-05T08:00:00.000+05:30

8:00 Little guided tour around the campus, after which the first breakfast in the campus. Mix India-western. ok. Of course with fresh orange juice.

9:36 Lecture hall - the prof gives a short introduction ten minutes before people arrive/lecture actually starts. Just to begin properly the very minute 9:45.

11:00 Relatively difficult to understand - both written and oral. The guy is enthusiastic and somehow funny. Commercial banking. Jee.

Day 4: Tourists

2005-09-04T16:52:00.000+05:30

A nice day! Eventually we went to Kolkata to visit the Victoria Memorial. It was built to memorize this former foreign Queen Empress of India and is a nice mixture of British Victorian and Indian/Mughal (Indian muslim rulers before British; best example Taj Mahal) style. The place is huge with some interesting museums. I noticed that not everybody wishes to read all the small texts. Freak!

After some great group photos - including me with an unknown Indian family - we walked through the big park, Maidan, to the city. The park was nice with boys playing football, shirts as their goal poles, mothers boiling chai. Another scene from The Fast Show... :-)

The park was also home to some horses/ponies doing their share for the Kolkatan economy and also to the parks vegetation, which we indirectly noticed from the bottoms of our shoes.

To complete the middle-classed Kolkatan afternoon we had a nice dinner in a nice Chinese Restaurant locally famous of it duck. Izz good! Boriz recommedz!

Afterwards really to embarass ourselves we went to "Flurry's" for a European coffee and a brownie!! I felt bad seeing all the street kids outside. And also a bit frustrated because I'd also like to experience the not-so-posh India. Anyway, it was the fourth day, so I'm sure I'll get my chance.

Our group was great and with Robert and Johan we decided to start our own charity program called "STEP Up" and to start by building a house for the homeless. Girls - as usual - considered our plans "irrational" and "naiive"! We had to admit that all the three are rather easy to get enthusiastic, but perhaps not also so down-to-earth or unrealistic with our "plans". Anyway, how girlish thing to shoot down our great and noble plans!

Haihattelua?

Day 4: Time for myself...

2005-09-04T09:48:00.000+05:30

9:48 Woke up without help. After the two days of new experiences I feel I need a little time of my own. And some "ruisleipä"! (Finnish rye bread -editors comment) Reissumies tastes wonderful even though its getting a bit moist (as everything else too). Also met the laundry guy - dobi-wallah - who took some of my clothes to wash. The charge will be 300rs per month, which accounts for 6 euros. Not bad. I wonder how the system will work...

Day 3: Upper/middle-class India pt.2

2005-09-03T22:00:00.000+05:30

22:00 In the "Tantra" - a downtown disco with American (bad) music, from middle to upper-class people and European price-level. We meet a team of five European medical students who're taking a night out from their clinic. Helene from Norway completes our Nordic team.

Indian disco-etiquette differs greatly from that in Europe. The first problem we encountered at the entrance because we were not even boy-girl pairs. Our Indian friends managed to talk us in and we went through the security check. Inside the club we were told that we can't dance without the girls. So for example me dancing with Anssi or Tommi would've been considered inappropriate. Very strange :-)

The evening was nice, but I'm not really a disco person and since the prices were quite high and the music terrible I decided to leave with Hanne and Aswath around 2 o'clock. The taxi-ride through the city is remarkably fast with no other traffic. In the streets people sleep without shelter or stare at the lonely Ambassador rushing through the city.

Oh yes, almost forgot. We saw a snake crossing the street in the campus. Probably a non-venomous one, said our Indian friends. Good to know, just in case.

Day 3: Middle-class India

2005-09-03T11:06:00.001+05:30

11:06 I finally wake up. It felt so good and I feel all but numb, which often would be the case after a long sleep. I meet the rest of the guys who'd later form up our little group; Johan, Michel and Bart from Belgium.

With Umashankar (U.S) we go downtown to Salt Lake City (a new fancy district) to a shopping center which could as well be from any European city with the fancy boutiques and nice cafés. This together with the shopping center we saw yesterday really change (or actually create) my picture of what modern India is. There is already a huge middle class in India, which can't be forgotten!

We also visit US's brother's home nearby in a nice neighbourhood. They are all brahmin-caste (priests, though not practicing ones) and very nice. We spend some time planning our travelings together and watch some cricket, which is by far the most popular sport in India. The cricket-heros are just as worshipped as European footballers!

There are many possible and common misunderstandings what comes to modern India. I feel like even living here is studying, not to even mention the classes at the Institute.

Day 2: The longest day in my life

2005-09-03T01:01:00.000+05:30

01:01 Incredible day! Without any doubt the longest day in my life. It actually began already on Tuesday evening/night when packing home in Piikkiö. Then a long day in Helsinki and a short night (again) before taking off early in the morning. Very short night in the airplane and the whole day here in Kolkata.

My mind feels overflowing of all the new things having taken place. Great experiences and it’s probably not going to end here. But now I really feel I need my sleep. Good night.

Day 2: Downtown

2005-09-02T21:10:00.000+05:30

21:10 In a very fancy restaurant owned a famous Indian cricket-hero. We feel a bit underdressed, since we're (of course) in our casual-tolerate-the-heat-still-traveling-clothes. The food is excellent and a beer after a long day tastes great!

In the street we have an after-dinner-thing (spices rolled in a leaf) which tastes like mint and ice-creams. I give mine to the little boys begging around us. In downtown the beggars are everywhere, but still not as numerous that I would've expected. The advice "don't give money, buy some food, if you wish" might be worth it. The money seldom goes to help the one who it's given to and you just end up being requested for more. For a second I think they're greedy and show no gratitude, but end up feeling silly; it doesn't work quite like that.

Around midnight we're back in the campus witnessing something completely different; an IIMC-birthday tradition. The poor guy is beaten by everybody else, then covered with the cake and left sitting in the yard. Everybody seems to have fun, although I have doubts about the birthday hero himself.

Day 2: The First Contacts

2005-09-02T14:18:00.000+05:30

14:18 I'm sitting with my new Indian friend, Ishvar, in an Indian fast food restaurant. We met in the computer class and 10 minutes later in one of the shops. He asked me to join him to go to the city for some banking and eating.
10 minutes later we were sitting in a taxi taking us to Tollygung metro-station.

The guard in the bank had a big rifle (the one that you shoot tigers or elephants with; although I hope you don't).

Ishvar turned out to be a very nice guy and very interested in European history, which I found nice of course. I gave him a brief lecture on how Finland made it through the war until today. He of course cleared many things about Indian culture for me too.

16:50 I met the first other exchange students; Hanne from Denmark, Sandra from Germany and Marine from France. They said we'd go to the city in the evening for a dinner. I said I'm in. Then I met Robert from Sweden and it was love at first sight.

Day 2: Settling down

2005-09-02T10:30:00.000+05:30

10:30 I had a nap and feel a bit numb after waking up. I bought some drinking water and toilet paper. Let's hope that it lasts long.

The heat is really something; I'm sweating as a pig and my t-shirt feels like a second skin to me now. We've got gekkos, spiders, mosquitos and flies. On the contrary, we also have thousands of birds giving indian-western-fusion concerts in the yard. At the first glimpse the campus looks quite nice and green. Trash is everywhere, though. Except in the rubbish bins.

I haven't seen any other exchange students yet, and also very few locals. I decide to walk around a bit and try to get my papers in ordnung. This proves to be an ongoing process. I visit several offices and I'm told to sit down please at least as many times.

I feel I'm too enthusiastic. It seems to be siesta time. I can undestand why; there are approximately +38 reasons for this behaviour.

Day 2: First Impression

2005-09-02T06:43:00.000+05:30

6:43 I'm sitting in a white Ambassador-car (Kolkata-made) with my buddy Avik Sarkar, who picked me up from the airport. A very nice guy and my first contact with the outstanding Indian hospitality!
The airport routines were ok and I have my passport stamped! Paperwork takes some time, but that's what I expected.

This is what I notice:

-It's hot and humid, although not as "bad" as in Bangkok last spring. (Later remark; this is probably because it's only 5 a.m. when I first set my foot on the Indian terrain.)
-It smells like greenhouse
-I have a spider in my room. Rather small, though.
-I live in Annexe hostel, room 138
-The poverty is very visible from the first drive through the city to the IIMC-Campus in Joka, South of Kolkata

-"It was my duty", said Avik when I thanked him for everything.

I wonder what's my duty?

Day 2: Arrival

2005-09-02T03:35:00.000+05:30

3:35 (Indian time; from now on)
I wake up feeling awake, refreshed even, despite the sleep only lasted for two hours, I think. We're flying somewhere between Delhi and Varanasi. Breakfast was served during my sleep, but the Nordic co-operation seems to work and Lovisa has my snack bag too.

The muffin is good, but too small. Some things never change.

4:17:34 Touchdown. I'm in India.

Day 1: On the way

2005-09-01T08:26:00.000+05:30

8:26 (Finnish time) "Kotimaa kun taakse jäi..." Johanna and Jussi drove me to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. The last sad goodbyes change to "intolerable lightness of traveling".
I miss Kaisa a lot and it feels strange to travel alone. On the other hand, that's what this journey is about: "Finding yourself, fullfilling a dream and building our life together." I feel that we both understand this. It's very difficult, but we will work it out!

I think I sound over-dramatic. Blääh. That's not what I want. Please read with patience; I will improve!

15:02 (GMT) I board the plane. British Airways aircraft model XY. There are lots of them but I manage to find the right one. I also bought and iPod. Now I'm broke.
I get the seat 17a, which is on the windowside. Except that there is no window. I maintain my good mood despite this minor drawback, which I'm happy about. Next to me sits a Swedish nurse who's going to work in Kolkata the next 9 months. I manage to speak fluent Swedish, which I'm also happy about. Also the food is good. I take two small bottles of wine! Both are good.
I change my clocks to Indian time. Looks like its time to get some sleep.
I won't, which is strange. I usually do. I miss Kaisa again. It feels sad but good. Missing the one you love is one of the most beautiful feelings. Happy being sad? Contradiction again.

Day 1: Departure and contradictory thoughts

2005-09-01T05:00:00.000+05:30

Waking up 5:00 am at Johanna's and Jussi's place. First thought crosses my mind; what the hell am I doing and why would I ever want to leave Finland for India?
The answer seems to remain the same; "What I must".