I have Finland sickness!

By Aditya Acharya | Photo by Trung The Hoang


Or is it only Joensuu sickness? Or UEF?

But no. The last two times I landed on the Helsinki Airport, once for the visa interview and the next time to pick up the visa, I had a different feeling. I felt like I arrived at a very familiar place. All the views from the bus, from the airport to the city center, seemed so familiar, as if I knew each of them since ages. The crossroads, the bicycle lanes, even the trees… . But what is quite strange is, I was travelling there by bus only for the second time. And I can not stop remembering the places around there; the cathedral, the public library, the port, the ‘book swap space’ in the airport where I spent a night, … .

And more than that, I am missing UEF, and Joensuu.

The bicycle lane where I fell down and scratched my elbow.

The kirppis, where I could find everything. And the Lidl shops, which were far bigger than those I can find here.

The debates at the Joensuu Debate Society. And the debaters.

The cozy sofas in the library, under the stairs. And, even weekends in the library with Mr. Trung.

The pianos in Educa.

The events organized by Jomoni. I still regret I found that very late.

Alone midnight walks from city center to Latolankatu.

Late nights in the library.

Some lonely midnights at the riverside, especially towards the last days.

And the adjustable computer tables in the library, the most.

I am missing Finland a lot!

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