Tag: abroad

The Advent Christmas Calendar is here again

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Christmas balls, stars and light
Made with Canva

Day 1

Wow, this year has gone fast, and that’s what makes it so surreal. Today it’s December 1st. I had an advent calendar on this blog in 2016 and 2017, and I’ve decided to have one this year, too. It’s 23 days to Christmas Eve. It’s my first Christmas alone. I never thought last Christmas was the last with Dad around. Christmas won’t be the same, but one thing hasn’t changed. I’m taking a cruise to Tallinn this year, too. I don’t need to think about anything other than relaxing. In a way, I’m not alone since there will be other people. Christmas isn’t that important for me anymore. If I had a family, I would feel differently. My parents and I haven’t spent Christmas at home since 2010. In 2011 and 2012, we went on a cruise to Riga, Latvia. On a cruise, everything is done for you, including the food and the entertainment. A big bonus is a day on land. In 2013, we didn’t go anywhere since my mother died on December 15 that year. Me and my dad stayed at home. That was a sad Christmas. In 2020, we stayed home too. It was COVID-19 then, so no cruises were organised because of it.

The shipping company made cruises to Riga until 2017 and then to Tallinn the following year. I went with Dad on the Christmas cruises, the last time being last year. Because of the cruises, I have been abroad the most in Latvia and Estonia—unless you count Stockholm, but that’s summer trips and one advantage of living in Finland. Once, we went on a Christmas cruise to Stockholm. It’s two nights on the ship and a day on land. I’ve been to those places so many times that I almost know it by heart, at least in the town centres. So Riga, at least 6 times and Tallinn 5 times, so quite a lot.

So, this is the first post of the 2024 Advent Calendar. It won’t be all about Christmas. Here we go.

Advent calendar Box 5

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advent calendar 5

All I want for Christmas is more courage and a better 2018. I also want to relocate myself abroad more often. It all depends on money. I would travel more if I could. Everything is so expensive. Even though Finland has a lot of locations I haven’t been to. Abroad is always an interesting place to visit. I would stay in Europe though. I wish I could see New Zealand but I won’t be able to for years. I almost have to win the lottery to go there. Or get a job that pays well but I don’t see that happening either. Not the way things are going anyway.

Sometimes you need to go somewhere to recharge the batteries. A break it’s good for the soul and mind. Unfortunately, some people can’t afford to go anywhere. But going out of the house once in a while is good too. You’re in your house or flat most of the year so even a small breather is good. It doesn’t need to be overnight. It’s nice to come home after you’ve been somewhere else for a while. There is no good excuse why you can’t leave your home. The weather is one of them. There is no bad weather, there are only laziness and bad clothes. It’s funny how some people complain about rain and that they can’t go out. That’s the best part. Walking under your umbrella and wellies on. It’s about attitude and seeing the positive.

I’m really looking forward to Christmas. It will be nice to travel abroad and see other ways to celebrate the holidays. I also get away from home and the city for a while. Even if I’ve been to Riga a lot of times, there will still be something to see. We’re only gonna be there for about 5 hours but that will be enough. That’s better than handle the stress other people will go through. I can enjoy the holiday for real and that will be so refreshing.