For some reason, I can never explain. I have been obsessed with Finland.
It’s always the 1st place to me that comes to mind where I’d love to visit. If I could only choose one destination it would be this.
I’ve never been abroad before, which doesn’t exactly help. However I’ve felt a constant desire for it that I can never explain.
Literally thinking of the name makes me happy. I can’t explain why. I love everything about it. The language, the culture, the place.
I don’t know why. It’s something I can’t explain. The closest I can think of describing is that I have a longing to be there. The closest words I can find which resemble my feeling are below
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudade
It is the recollection of feelings, experiences, places, or events that once brought excitement, pleasure, and well-being, which now trigger the senses and make one experience the pain of separation from those joyous sensations. However it acknowledges that to long for the past would detract from the excitement you feel towards the future. Saudade describes both happy and sad at the same time, which is most closely translated to the English saying ‘bitter sweet’.
https://introvertdear.com/news/sehnsucht-yearning-word/
It is an untranslatable compound German word that conveys essentially the same concept that I just described. The word is “sehnsucht,” and it roughly means an inconsolable yearning or wistful longing for something one cannot explain or does not know. When I came upon this word, I was relieved to find such a concise way of describing this nearly incommunicable feeling.
Translating this kind of feelings to me into Finnish would roughly come across as this
Tunnen kuuluvani sinne ja minulla on luonnoton halu olla siellä
It’s meant to say (I feel a belong there and have an unnatural desire to be there)
What interests me in Finland it’s people
They think before they speak
Most people don’t learn when to shut the fuck up. Or never stop talking. Finnish people take the time to formulate answers first. They’re a reflection of the Introvert personality.
The language
I’ve always been interested in Languages, and Finnish/Chinese/Japanese have always drawn me to them, because of their “perfection” and complexity. It’s so unique, and very precise.
Time is very important to them
If you say you’re going to meet someone in England at 7pm, generally that can be 15 minutes before, 10 mins after or at 7pm. In Finland, 7pm is 7pm. On the dot. I like the precision. I think it’s rude to show up late at meeting someone. Showing up early is OK if it’s a busy event, but generally I would always try and be as close to the time as possible
They kindle relationships
Relationships are very important, and they’re very loyal people. Friends for life
Saunas
This is always just interesting. Finns love Saunas. I love the traditional approach of a Sauna then just dive boming into a lake.
Scenery
Why couldn’t you enjoy the place. They’re surrounded by Lakes, beautiful Countryside, snow and can visit the Aurora Borealis (another thing I have a strange desire for).
The place
It’s a very safe culture to be around
I’m not from Finland, I was born in England. Maybe I lived there in a previous life. Who knows, either way, it’s all I can think of, and all I want.