Belgium at New Years

I traveled to Belgium, December 30- January 3. It was a trip of a life time.

There is so much which happened. We traveled over northern Belgium by train and spend four days in Brussels.

Lemme tell you, I like to make friends. Like people in general are my favorite things. I would give up coffee for them. So when I am seated next to a person on a plane, and if conversation arises, I am going to take advantage of it. This is my friend from Argentia, who now lives in Israel. We had to switch planes because of a broken window so just imagine; Me, in a dress caring my duffel and this little woman, both walking across the tarmac to an Airport bus in a blizzard. She yelled at someone when they cut in front of me. Friends stick together. 

The photos above were taken in Brugges. We traveled there on January second. I just noticed these photos are all messed up in order, bear with me.

We found a flea market one day, and of course being the adventurers we are, we must explore.

this is the result when  I had to pack 

Empty tables always tell a story I feel, this is mine

look bruge!

We went to museums and some beautiful churches. In bruge we walked the streets, had coffee, visited churches, found antique museums, and were adventures.

new years

We like traveling by train.

we felt a fancy meal was in order for one day, we ate too much street food. We needed a treat

again really good food

rakas

this kid always had his maps

first thing is first, cafes

New years!

My last day it was raining, we went to a flea market and explored. Walking the streets with broken umbrellas and backpacks filled with treasures.

This is one of my favorite photos of me, I am so filled with happiness. 

alley ways make the city true

look mom Europe!

coffee stays no matter where I go

So many bad plane photos

home to the land of snow and sauna

The Real Finnish Christmas

Christmas here is celebrated on the 24th. This was an interesting experience for sure.

The morning of, I went down stairs, had my normal coffee and sat with the family. I have counted in total 3 times where homesickness has hit me. Once a week after I arrived, at the end of my first month, and after breakfast. 

And homesickness in the truest form. Of course yes I miss my mom and penut butter, but its different from the earth shaking sadness which racks your body. It takes it out of you. And this in not a poor me sob story, more like documentation. I am not going to sugar coat life here. Its tough. And after coffee I missed home. 

I get called to go to midday porridge. This is when we went to my host grandparents house and had a nice meal. Boy, was my finnish tested. The person who gets the almond in the porridge gets good luck (at least I think that's it.) It was my host father!

We came home and had a sauna, surprising huh?! hahah and then all got ready for a very fancy dinner consisting of 13  different fish themed dishes.

I looked up at dinner in one moment and it was all okay. The homesickness wasn't there. It was gone. Like someone snapped their fingers, and it was gone.

It was okay.

We cleaned up. Had coffee (again a surprise) and then all sat down to open gifts.

This is where I can find the meaning of gift giving. I was not expecting to get gifts. In all honesty, they give me a house and food. Like that's a lot. And then I found my name under the tree. My name was there. I am so thankful and I feel so so so so sos os loved. 

We all hung out and messed around, until it was time for bed. I skyped the gang back in the states for a bit. Nothing has changed, still loud, loving, and above all my family. 

I got of skype and crawled into bed. I have never felt this type of love. They care. They care so much. I got a family for Christmas

post eve decoration

All of the many glasses and fish dishes

The yanki tree

all of the decorations

how precious is this house

and how precious is my host grandma

We dressed up to pass out gifts. I was a russian elf named lightsy. What a first

so much laughter, I really adore life

my work of art

mess with ussss

Candles are a huge part of Finnish Culture. look around a finnish home, I bet you my left leg that there are candles

LEO

Such beautiful tables all the time

my mrs.clause.

When the 25th came, we laid around and played board games the whole day. I visited my first host family and went for a walk with the dog. It was so relaxed. I got to sleep in too, first time ever on the 25th.

Here I am once again

Sitting, waiting for Rotary.

This little school is something special.

It is to the point where I walk down the halls and get high fives. Its where I don't have to look around for someone to eat with. Everyone is welcoming. It is wonderful.

I am also going to catch you all up on the small life of Annalee.

So be prepared for tons of stories

Let's get to it.

I have coffee so I am ready

Christmas Eve's Eve

In Finland they celebrate Christmas on the 24th. Relax the 25th, and visit the 26th. I will write more about this later.

As I work on these messes of blog posts, I am also sitting here as my host father works on this bed creation behind me and it is hitting me as I type this- I am not going to be with my mom and dad and sister and well the whole gang on Christmas. But I am going to be with a new type of gang.

The Gang which speaks finnish and eats a bunch of fish. The gang which took me into their lives and is treating me like one of their own children.

Now I am so lucky for this. It is hard. I  am not saying it isn't. But I am surrouned by people who care for me and you know what. I don't want gifts or anything. I was given a family this year. And what is better than that.

I will be leaving to Brussles on the 30th and will spend New Years there.

But now is the time for family. So from my home to yours.From Country to Country. Language to language.  Merry Christmas.

I love you all wholly and miss you all in the fullest of ways.
Hyvää Joulua