World through Sunflower Eyes

Cuba, and especially Havana, gets under your skin. Christopher Columbus already said that it is t he most beautiful land that human eyes have seen. And Camila Cabello sings in her latest release: 'Havana, ooh na-na, half of my heart is in Havana...'  I have seen the many faces of Cuba from its ordinary daily life to luxury resorts that most of the Cubans have no possibility to visit. But it is the simple beauty of its lively, smiling people and the country's culture filled with music and dance that made me fall in love with it. I admire the people's joy of life. Even though they lack many of the commodities we are used to in the western world, they always find a reason to be happy - something to learn for so many of us. The variety of the landscape in Cuba is amazing. The beaches and the nature is so beautiful. And then Havana itself with its colorful buildings is so full of life day and night, but especially nighttime it just comes to...

I have always wondered why people do not focus on the positive things and appreciate their own special skills. I believe we all have some super power in us. I myself feel blessed with the gift of learning easily different languages. I spoke English long before going to school. After that I just noticed English followed by Swedish and French, then came German, Italian and Spanish. I have to thank my big sister and mother for that. My sister sent me from USA all possible Barbie magazines and books in English which my friends could only dream of those days. From thereon, I got so curious that I tormented my mother to teach me to read and write in English. The first time I needed to study some English grammar was in the high school, before that I just went and completed the exams. Thanks to my family members, I learnt to appreciate and value multiculturalism already in my childhood. In a way, I accidentally ended up being a polyglotte and speaking seven languages fluentl...

In my last blog I wrote about Rome. But luckily in Finland you can enjoy few Italian delights as well. My number one restaurant for an authentic Italian pizza is Pizzabistro Marco Polo in the city of Vaasa. The carefully selected authentic Italian ingredients guarantee the taste and quality, not to mention that it is made by Italians. I absolutely love the variety of options in the menu. You can choose among pizze bianche or pizze rosse, that is between pizzas with or without tomato sauce. And the best news is, you can have the pizzas also gluten-free. My absolute all time favorites are the classic Regina Margherita, Deliziosa and Diavola. And to finish your experience, you must taste their home-made Italian icecream. The white chocolate and liquorice are among the flavors I especially love. The place itself is small and cosy with truly Italian atmosphere. The service is excellent and you always feel yourself welcome. Whenever I go to visit my family and friends in Vaasa,...

I absolutely love Rome, and at the moment I miss it terribly. Just few weeks ago someone asked me if I know what the letters of ROMA mean vice versa, I replied laughing: AMOR. That is what Rome is to me, love at first sight. I never get tired of walking around Rome. No matter how many times you visit it, it always shows a new side of itself. Although I still love to wonder the hole of the Pantheon or walk up the Spanish steps at Piazza di Spagna, every time I am in Rome. And my favorite time to pass by the Fontana di Trevi is during midnight. I prefer to enjoy Rome the same way the locals do, passing my time in its many bars, cafes and restaurants and just randomly walking around it. One of my all time favorite restaurants is Alla Rampa , kind of hidden in a corner of Piazza Mignanelli, just few steps away from Piazza di Spagna. The selection of antipasti is nice and tasty and I also love their risotto. Many locals visit the place, and that is why I as well ...

This week has been a very strange one with very mixed feelings. As much as I love the Caribbean and traveling, I must say I considered myself very lucky not being in the middle of the monster hurricane. But my dear friend lives in the island of St.Martin, with two of her children, one of them being my goddaughter, as well as many other people I have got to know during my travels. For a long time, I have not spent so restless and sleepless nights as this past week, wondering what was going on. Luckily all the people I know in the area are alive and well. But the destruction of the friendly island, as they call St.Martin, is just unbearable to see in all the pictures. I want to remember the island as I myself have seen it, and I truly believe that the island will be rebuilt once again. We just need to hope for the best and stay positive! Below you can see St.Martin at its best nine years ago. But to understand the nature's tremendous power, visit my friend's blog and you w...