Time for a new adventure

                                            

So here I am. Finally, the day has come. I have been waiting for this over three years since 2015. Most of us have a dream to travel far away. More likely, have a walk on the white beach, under the palm trees and see the crystal clear blue ocean, yeah? For me, this was a sparkle to follow my dreams. In September 2015 I bought a Lonely Planet- guidebook from a Finnish couple who had an amazing trip to Jamaica. I was curious to ask for some advice. They told me how great the trip was and where the main attractions located. I was super fascinated by their story and at that moment I decided that for sure, I am going there one day.

Well as you know and it is quite obvious that life is a pretty surprising and you really can’t make specific plans.. It took me over two years to settle down to Helsinki, finish my studies, find a stable job, go through hard issues in my personal life and so on. But, yeah here I am, waiting to take off soon. I can't even describe how happy, relieved, proud and lucky I feel for myself. I worked hard, last year I did some extra hours beside my main job and I was trying to save money as much as I can. And you know what? I saved quite a lot. I didn't go out so much or bought new clothes, cosmetic products etc. Mostly, I spent my money on food, rent and other basic needs. It is true that if you have the opportunity to save money you really can do it, just be smart and conscious.

Ok, and of course many of my friends, colleagues, family members, random people and so on have asked why did you choose Jamaica?

The truth is that I honestly love reggae music, relaxed lifestyle and maybe somehow I am seeking to experience something more like a hippie-style life. But only secretly. I mean as you know, it is hard to get off from the circle of stressed life.

Introduction to my blog

This blog is a summary of my adventures in Jamaica and surprise, in Mexico!

Yes, I am also going to visit in Cancún, Mexico in the middle of my vacation. I am already super excited when I think about it. Actually, I made a decision to go to Cancún as an extempore. I didn't have a plan to go there, first I was thinking about Costa Rica, Barbados or maybe Trinidad. But as you know sometimes we should not plan too much. I am going to post a lot of texts, pictures, maybe my own videos or music videos from Youtube. Mostly, I want that this blog is more likely an experience for all your senses. You can get almost an authentic feeling of my adventures and all these places and attractions where I am going to visit. In Jamaica, my first destination is Montego Bay and from there I will continue my trip to Negril which locates on the west coast. Of course, I am also going to visit in Kingston because it is must see. More stories coming later.

And even this is the first real vacation for me I need to confess that I am crazy in a good way. Besides enjoying the beaches, reggae music and rum cocktails I am also going to do some field work and get some ideas for my next research. I have some ideas to examine human rights, urban settlements, youth unemployment or women's rights.  Some of my previous researches have related mainly to voluntary work, NGO’s role, women’s rights and international relations (Latin America, Africa and Finland). Generally, the Caribbean islands and Central America are fascinating areas to do research and bring to the light global issues as well as domestic problems in different societies. However, I think Jamaica could offer me many interesting topics. A few weeks ago I watched some documents and music videos from Youtube. Mostly, the documentaries were concentrated to deal with the issues of land rights, unemployment situation, criminality, agriculture, sustainable development etc. It was also quite interesting to realize how these issues or could I say problems are presented in various Jamaican artist’s music videos. Some of those videos are showing us the real side of Jamaica and those are the sides I am interested as an ethnologist. So be prepared to see some pictures of me to wandering around ghetto areas or sharing a meal in local’s homes.

                                    

Please, enjoy my blog. I am writing here for you so please, leave comments if you like and create some discussion. I would appreciate it, thank you.

Take care <3

P.S. And I am very sorry if I have been an awful friend, sister, worker, colleague or whatever. My mind has been so focused on this trip so I haven’t thought about anything else lately. I promise to bring some souvenirs. 😉

Heippa, tässä blogissa pieniä matkakertomuksia seikkailuistani. Tällä kertaa Jamaikalla ja Meksikossa ja miksei myös muualla Karibialla mikäli aika riittää. Kyseessä on siis ensimmäinen virallinen lomani töistä ja reissussa tulen olemaan noin kuukauden verran. Tätä matkaa on suunniteltu ja odotettu hartaasti hikiset kolme vuotta. Nyt se vihdoin tapahtuu ja fiilikset on niin sanotusti katossa. Tietysti myös Suomessa säät ovat tällä hetkellä suosiolliset lomaa ajatellen, mutta veri vetää sen verran vahvasti kaukomaille, että pakko lähteä.

Toivotaan, että selviän hurrikaaneista (sormet ristissä), rommipaukuista, dancehall-bileistä, superhyper-tulisista tacoista tai innokkaista paikallisista bussikuskeista. :D Eli piipahdan matkan varrella myös Meksikossa, tarkemmin ottaen Cancúnissa noin viikon verran. Sieltä tulossa myös hieman päivityksiä sitten myöhemmässä vaiheessa. Blogia saa tuttuun tapaan kommentoida vapaasti ja kysellä kaikenlaista jos kiinnostaa. 

Laitan viimeiset tavarat rinkkaan odottelemaan lähtöä ja uneksin vielä kerran paratiisi-rannoista ennen kuin saan nähdä ne konkreettisesti.

                                                  

Niin ja tässä vielä pakkaamiset kesken, pohdinnassa se miten kaiken saa mahdutettua 75 litraan :)

Palaillaan! 😊