September ran by fast. I flew from Finland to Austria on September 11; we attended our friends' wedding in Dornbirn on September 17; we arrived in Santiago on September 20 just in time for the last day of Bicentenario Fiestas Patrias where Chile was celebrating its 200 year independence from Spain; Lukas traveled to Colombia and Peru for business for a week on September 22, the same day when I started again at The Santiago Times; I started working at an Irish pub called Flannery's on September 23; I quit working at Flannery's on September 26; Lukas came back from the business conference journey on September 28; and on September 30 I tried out zumba which is also available in Santiago. Phew. Are you still with me?
When it comes to new plans for October, this month is very special for us because we receive several guests from Austria. As the great hostess I always aim to be, I have started planning already how to make our guests' stay at our place and in Santiago as comfortable as possible. That, of course, requires some shopping. My latest discoveries include the findings of yeast and baking power which opens new horizons for me in the kitchen!
Additionally, I've been given the opportunity to redecorate the Santiago Times' office; in other words, with the help of my workmates I selected the paints for two rooms yesterday. The office will not look the same when I'm done with it! ;)
Otherwise, it's back to reality. The days consist pretty much of the office time and home time, and the long wait of the days turning warmer and warmer as the spring goes on...
Friday, October 1, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
About Finland I love...
having guests over...
trying out something new and succeeding in it... 
4 am walks...
the countryside...
the poro...
nature's candy shop...
the lake by our cottage...
flowers...
the Finnish landscape...
good hair days...
parties with friends...
baking... 
sunsets...
always learning something new...
wining and dining in a great company...
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
This n That
Here are some bits over the past few months that haven't seen the daylight yet but are worth sharing.
This 5-6 month old little kitten was found by my workmates and I at the entrance to our office building. The poor baby was cold, hungry and hurt, and after a little while of thinking what to do with her we gave her some milk and decided to take her to the vet. Vet checked her, medicated her and kept her at the clinic over night. Meanwhile, we found her a new home at my workmate's boyfriend's sister who wanted to adopt this cute little creature. The next day we went to get her and she stayed two nights at our place while she was waiting her new adoption mummy in Viña to get her. We snuck her in a handbag because it's not really allowed to have pets in our building. We learned that this "gatita" loves warmth and human affection, and she was already potty trained and very talkative. Now her name is Luna, she is playful and cheeky and lives in a nice home by the sea.
Lukas' pride and joy, his new Nissan Navarra.
I have to admit, having a car in the city makes it easier for us to get to know our surroundings. We did a little trip to the wealthier part of Santiago, La Dehesa, where big houses with gardens grow. It looked like a lovely American suburb.
On another sunny Sunday we made a little excursion to El Quisco, our old favourite by the beach to get some fresh air and good food.
There we made some art...
This 5-6 month old little kitten was found by my workmates and I at the entrance to our office building. The poor baby was cold, hungry and hurt, and after a little while of thinking what to do with her we gave her some milk and decided to take her to the vet. Vet checked her, medicated her and kept her at the clinic over night. Meanwhile, we found her a new home at my workmate's boyfriend's sister who wanted to adopt this cute little creature. The next day we went to get her and she stayed two nights at our place while she was waiting her new adoption mummy in Viña to get her. We snuck her in a handbag because it's not really allowed to have pets in our building. We learned that this "gatita" loves warmth and human affection, and she was already potty trained and very talkative. Now her name is Luna, she is playful and cheeky and lives in a nice home by the sea. 
Lukas' pride and joy, his new Nissan Navarra. 
I have to admit, having a car in the city makes it easier for us to get to know our surroundings. We did a little trip to the wealthier part of Santiago, La Dehesa, where big houses with gardens grow. It looked like a lovely American suburb.
On another sunny Sunday we made a little excursion to El Quisco, our old favourite by the beach to get some fresh air and good food. There we made some art...
Midsummer In The Slopes
While Europe is bathing in the summer sun is the other end of the world going through winter. As Monday June 28 is a public holiday in Chile and hence creating a long weekend for us, we decided to take advantage of the extra day and spontaneously drive to the south without any real destination in mind. As the kilometres grew higher, also the destination started to form itself. Three Austrians and a Finn were heading to the Andes for a skiing holiday!
Carla was receiving the guests of the first hotel we stayed in, the ridiculously over priced Nevados de Chillán. Fortunately dinner, breakfast and the ski ticket were included in the price, and I was even able to negotiate the costs down a bit.
The thermal pool invited the daring guests to dip in - luckily it was as warm as bathing water.
Lukas healing himself in the thermal water. After the morning bath we got ready to rent some skis and pants and go enjoy the sunshine in the slope.
Slightly different view than over the Alpes. Do you notice the volcano in the far back?
Do you remember our first Andean skiing day experience with all the snow? Luckily this time the weather was on our side and the slopes were wide and bright, giving us the most ideal conditions for skiing.
Am I a pro or what? Huh?! ;)
At dusk we decided it's time to change locations and so we drove to the coast to Concepcion, the epicentre of February's 8.8 earthquake.
Men on water somewhere between Concepcion and Talcahuano. The second night we stayed at a nice hotel/casino in Talcahuano where we got lucky in roulette and won enough to pay the costs of the first night!
By the sea.
Street art. Or not. The effects of the earthquake (February 27) were still to be seen, especially on the streets. Bridges were broken, asphalt was partly missing and traffic lights were hanging. The detours caused by the road blocks were challenging our little road adventure in Concepcion.
Already on the way back to north on Ruta 5. Autostrada, exciting Chile-Brazil match on radio and the beautiful mountains in the horizon made the driver's gas foot heavy, which also the local carabineros noticed... Oops! I hope I managed to blink our way out. :D
Carla was receiving the guests of the first hotel we stayed in, the ridiculously over priced Nevados de Chillán. Fortunately dinner, breakfast and the ski ticket were included in the price, and I was even able to negotiate the costs down a bit.
The thermal pool invited the daring guests to dip in - luckily it was as warm as bathing water. 
Lukas healing himself in the thermal water. After the morning bath we got ready to rent some skis and pants and go enjoy the sunshine in the slope.
Slightly different view than over the Alpes. Do you notice the volcano in the far back?
Do you remember our first Andean skiing day experience with all the snow? Luckily this time the weather was on our side and the slopes were wide and bright, giving us the most ideal conditions for skiing. 
Am I a pro or what? Huh?! ;)
At dusk we decided it's time to change locations and so we drove to the coast to Concepcion, the epicentre of February's 8.8 earthquake.
Men on water somewhere between Concepcion and Talcahuano. The second night we stayed at a nice hotel/casino in Talcahuano where we got lucky in roulette and won enough to pay the costs of the first night! 
By the sea. 
Street art. Or not. The effects of the earthquake (February 27) were still to be seen, especially on the streets. Bridges were broken, asphalt was partly missing and traffic lights were hanging. The detours caused by the road blocks were challenging our little road adventure in Concepcion. 
Already on the way back to north on Ruta 5. Autostrada, exciting Chile-Brazil match on radio and the beautiful mountains in the horizon made the driver's gas foot heavy, which also the local carabineros noticed... Oops! I hope I managed to blink our way out. :D
Saturday, June 19, 2010
On The Tracks of Pisco
Easter came and went, now the Midsummer Night Fest is approaching in Scandinavia. Unfortunately it is unknown fiesta in Chile, here being winter at this time of the year. Long overdue are the pictures of our Easter holiday but I still hope they let in some sunshine to the cold European summer and warm you from inside up. 
La Serena was our Easter holiday destination. It is a little beach city located about 470 km up north from Santiago. It is Chile's third oldest city founded in 1544. Being by the sea shore, La Serena is an important tourist town especially during the summer, when people go to visit its long beaches. 
Although La Serena can be grey and cloudy, driving some minutes to the east the sky clears up and the colours of the dry climate are vivid and strong.
The church of Vicuña. 
We took an adventurous tour by local bus (actually, several buses but luckily not the one on the picture) and went to visit the little villages of Vicuña and Elqui Valley, where the Chilean national drink is made. 
Valle Pisco Elqui is known for Chile's most famous liquor, Pisco. Pisco is distilled from grapes and has a taste reminding me of whisky. There is an ongoing battle between Chile and Peru: whose pisco is the original one? Chileans claim their pisco is the best - Peruvians argue their pisco is the most delicious. It's one of the favourite drinks of the young local people, especially guys, and they usually mix it with Coke.
Pisco Mistral is one of the producers of pisco.
Some images of the tiny village.
Salud! Pisco Sour is an aperitive cocktail which contains pisco, lemon or lime juice, egg whites, and syrup. Other flavours, like basil, apple, or mango can be mixed with pisco taking the sour edge of the lemon off. Pisco sour will be more delicious made by yourself but it is possible to buy in ready made bottles, as well. I still prefer wine, however.
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