When I was in college, going back home to Paris a friend sent me a letter from Illinois, where she’d gone to visit her grandparents. It was super symbolic because she knew how important living in Chicago had been for my sense of identity. Despite it essentially amounting to the blink of an eye.

Don’t forget to be a tourist, she told me, and even though this was several decades ago her advice has stayed with me ever since.

And so I remind myself sometimes that it is good to touch base and see the city you’re in and have become so used to through from a different perspective, through another lens,

In this vein, behold a mystery person and their thoughts.

How would you like to introduce yourself?

Raised as a Monocultural Kid, discovered it wasn’t necessarily the truth, Exploring the world after being locked up in one place for 28 years.

What made you choose Finland as a destination?

I have family here, so it was much easier for me. Much against my family’s advice I fell in love with the country.

What was the scariest thing about moving to Finland?

The unemployment numbers, the speaking barrier, and I don’t want to wear all black.

What turned out to be different than you expected?

I didn’t have any expectations to begin with, but I did meet one Finn who did not wear all black.

What expectation was actually true (more or less)?

That my soul found rest in the forest. And that the bookworm part of my heart is permanently happy because of libraries.

Favorite place in Helsinki?

The forest trail between Helsinki and Espoo.

Which song / movie / book / painting best symbolizes Finland or Helsinki to you?

Blackmore’s Night – Fires at Midnight for sure.