When I retired my previous blog just before the pandemic, I did it because I needed a break. From the subject matter as much as myself. It became very political and that wasn’t what I wanted for it. Because it had been intended as a personal account of my life in the places I was living, focusing on society, the people around me. The aim was always to point out what didn’t work – and provide a solution where possible – but also to show my life within whatever environment I was in. But the blog became much more of the former and nothing of the latter. “You tell all these stories about people,” an acquaintance told me. “But never your own. I want to hear your stories, your thoughts, your feelings.”

She was right, of course, but I needed a break. It lasted a few years in which I tried some blogs here and there, but nothing that would hold a candle to the previous blog. A blog I was – and still am – immensely proud of, but it had run its course, and I needed a break. Last year I started recreating, but something still felt off, and in the past 24 hours I realized what it was. During that long break I had forgotten the reason I have always enjoyed blogging (and what I was missing). That interaction with other bloggers, linking back and forth, sharing your thoughts and reading the thoughts of others. Getting to know each other through comments and posts. And discovering the world (again), because as a GenXer I didn’t grow up with social media, but I was always interested in people around me (and that’s everyone I met or stood beside me, or was sitting / standing a table – or two – away), their lives and their countries. So it was a good thing we traveled and moved around a lot.

But here’s the reason I remembered why I got into blogging. Yesterday I was scrolling through my feed, discovering other blogs, and I happened on Wind Kisses’s post. I’ve always loved cities. As much as I love nature and can relax when I’m in it, I truly come alive in the city. There’s something intrinsically powerful about human made creations. As Wind Kisses mentioned in her post, the city is a forest of its very own (to paraphrase gently :D). And if it wasn’t for then none of this would have happened, so an extra special thank you to Patti as well. Check out both blogs, and you’ll be in for a visual treat. A treat that will lead you on a trail of discovery you won’t want to miss!

I don’t do very well with challenges, because they imply a routine I then need to adhere to. At present I’m still trying to get diagnosed for ADHD, but this might well tie into it, my reluctance to abide by the rules (even though this is a very friendly engagement, and no pressure in any way, shape or form).

Of course me being me, I decided to adapt the challenge of taking shots of the city and make it my own. Showcase the city I currently live in through a series of photos I shot on my iphone 12 mini and then adapted via a series of apps. All pictures represent the Finnish capital, Helsinki.

Street to Senate Square was one of the first images I took of the city when I started playing around with digital art some years ago. Coming from Paris when I’m in Europe Nordic cities always struck me as quaint. I can’t remember when I first saw a play by Henrik Ibsen, but I was hooked. I know Helsinki isn’t Norway in any way, shape or form but there are certain spots here that make me think they’d be a perfect backdrop to any number of Ibsen plays and this is very much one of them.

The Future is Here as Well as the Past is one of my favorite corners in this city. As anyone who knows me is aware, the way to make me feel truly at home in a place, is to show me some cafes and spaces where I can hang out. Many hours were spent in this particular establishment sitting, chatting, hoping, working, plotting, dreaming. Alone or in the company of friends. It was my refuge in times of trouble and the first place I went to in times of joy. It taught me all I needed to know about Finland, and so much more. Many friendships were forged in that place. Some are still active, others have fallen apart. But each is a cherished adventure to look back on in quiet moments.

Horse(s) & (Beer) Carriage because there is no better name for this. The first time I saw them, I was sitting in my favorite place, and there was a commotion outside. Because no matter how many generation a family has lived here, seeing the horses, the master and his apprentice arrive to distribute beer is still a sensation. Even if, like me, you don’t like beer and will only drink it on very special occasions (when I’m either stark, raving mad or about to float into the clouds), seeing Gustav and Fredrik pulling their load is always a welcome sight that will put a smile on my face and an extra spring in my step.

Meet Me In My Neighborhood because it was an awesome place to be. Sadly my contract ran out and I had to move out (which propelled me into a whole other adventure), but if I could I would move back there in a heartbeat. I love nothing more than being amidst the hustle and bustle, with bars, restaurants and cafes being open until late into the night and the voices of various patrons drifting up towards your window, lulling you to sleep.

Havis Amanda is not something I have a special emotional connection to, but to me she does exemplify Finland because of the scandal around her when she was created over a century ago. As the cynic in me puts it, it’s not so much that she was naked (although some were immensely shocked and took offense) but the fact that she was modeled after a Parisian prostitute (or two). She’s connected to the most important Finnish holiday after Midsummer, and this combined with the umbrage taken at her presence sums up Finland in a nutshell. If you walk past the two buildings you will reach the church from the first picture here.

On the Way Home is where you discover the most interesting things. We took another way home when we walked back from the city a few weeks ago and I had to look really hard when I found these. Little, tiny birdhouses in a teeny tiny spot of nature that was left when the neighborhood expanded. Or was the neighborhood allowed to expand because nature agreed?