Berlin

I was in Berlin with my boyfriend last February. It was his Christmas present to me. We would go to Berlin for a few days, and see my favorite singer's show! Super exiting, since I have never been to a gig like that before. We had a little bad luck on our trip, and it started with the weather. Usually, it isn't too cold, but now some ice weathers from the north had just landed there, and I swear it was worse than in Finland. But like good finns, we managed.

Even before the trip, there was some bad luck. See, we would have to get up around 3 am for this 7 am flight. And that did not sound good. So we checked into a airport hotel the day before. This way we could sleep much later and actually be rested. All was good for like an hour of sleep in, then the air conditioner started to yell, and we didn't sleep a wink with the annoyance. Oh well, at least we were all ready at the airport.

So who's show did we go all the way to Berlin to see? Well Aurora of course. 

Aurora Aksnes (AURORA) is a young, talented singer from Norway. Her voice and singing goes straight to your soul. She takes it, and makes it weep. You are falling in love, with no gravity, that is what her songs make you feel. 

I first came across her music, when I lost a member of our little pack, one of my cats, Tintti. I was browsing in youtube, and her songs were suggested to me. Played one, and I was sold. 

I think her music really helped me deal with the loss of my pet, I could just loose myself in the sorrows and powers of her voice. I do hope she can offer you, my dear reader some emotion as well. I will leave links in the end for you to listen to. 

Rest of our trip went nicely, we had dinner in a high-end restaurant looking like we do not belong there, walked the Memorial of the murdered Jews and visited places like Checkpoint Charlie. It was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War (1947–1991). 

We had a very plesent, and memorable time in Berlin. Even with the cold weather, no sleep, disappointing customer service and a delayed flight couldn't bring our spirits down. It was a lovely present from my lovely man, and I can't wait to jump into more adventures with him. Good bye Berlin! 

AURORA - Winter Bird

AURORA - Runaway

AURORA - Lucky

Yule

Is the time of the year again. Christmas time, or as it was before Christianity; Yule.
It was and is a festival observed by the historical Germanic peoples. Researchers have connected the celebration to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht.

The Wild Hunt is a European folk myth involving a ghostly or supernatural group of huntsmen passing in wild pursuit. God Odin is the Germanic mythology god of all the gods, associated with wisdom, healing, death, and royalty. And Mōdraniht was an "Mothers night" -event held at 25th of December by pagans.
Some things sure change, but some thing don't. No matter what history do you think of during the holidays, or if you think of any. Yule can be a romantic, safe, calm and nice time of the year.

I love the warmness of it. There is nothing like a hot cup of mulled wine, but then again, I love it year around. We always decorate the tree with my brother witch is good fun. And the whole family sits and eats together, this one special time of the year.

Board games, gifts, good vibes all around. Maybe throw in some classic Christmas songs as well and enjoy your day. Peace on earth.

Dunnottar Castle

I was in Aberdeen last October, and visited the Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven. After that trip I felt the urge to study it's history.

I haven't traveled that much. In 2016 I was in Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Arran) and earlier this year I was in Holland, mostly in Groningen. So the views I saw on the walk up to the castle was all new to me. I have never seen anything so beautiful.

The sea, high hills and deep valleys. Streams, cows and the wind. All of these things together was just so beautiful, always having one eye on the castle in the horizon.

Everytime I visit a place like this, my empath side places me to that time and place. I feel the sorrows and the joys, and the sadness of it being over. I can imagine the people of that age there, running the halls, looking at the sea and having lives that have ended years ago.

How there were 167 people kept prisoner in the same size of room, as the deutches bedroom, two floors up. They were ankle deep in mire, and held for nine weeks with no sanitation. Both food and water had to be bought from the guards. Twenty five men escaped, two of whom fell into their deaths, and fifteen we're captured and tortured.

How the pet-lion was so loud, that the duchess ordered it to be killed or she looses her beauty sleep. I can just picture it.

I take a lot of knowledge from this trip, and empathy for the souls that were lost. Never treat people for less than others, and appreciate old buildings and places, so that they will be there to teach to others as well. Lovely trip left in my memory that I will always cherish.

20.-24.10.2017 Aberdeen, Scotland