Firstly,I hope every one had a great Christmas.I am still munching on Reindeer Ribs.I was talking to friend the other day,who asked to meet me later that day in downtown Helsinki.I had to think about this and I came to the decisive decision that I was not going to step foot out of the door.I do not know if it is myself getting older, Seasonal Affective Disorder or just plain laziness,but the weather is cold;very cold and the ground is covered in either slush or ice.It changes daily.It is at times like these that I feel more akin to a hibernating bear holed up in Helsinki Finland
This Blogger lacks firm commitment
As I said I do not know whether it is from growing older but the thought of even venturing out in to the cold arctic lounge of the north on a crisp clear evening brings shock horror to me.I smoke and it is aeven a challenge to decide to stop smoking or peril the journey to the local shop.The darkness has a lot to do with this I know,as the Finnish people keep repeating to me over the years,”Its the Northern Depression”(Seasonal affective Disorder)Well roll on Summer time is what I keep chanting in the depths of my mind.The Finnish people who have lived with these short,dark,cold days and then live in opposite extremes of long,warm and light days are used to this and take it with a pinch of salt.Either that or they are a race that is clinically depressed but un-diagnosed.!I leave that for you to decide
The Winter cycle and lifestyle
It must be said that in winter the Finnish people and myself venture out side,only when it is really necessary.Things like food,medicine and pubs are the main pre-occupations.The pubs or local bars serve as a warm respite for some hours from the cold so they can be counted as more of a necessity.I have seen that meeting up with friends in the darkness promotes a form of togetherness.Then again it could have to do with other people staying at home having more common sense.What I am sure of,is it is the most welcoming time of year to visit the Sauna.After a hot sauna the cold just does not seem to matter.Also in the depths of winter people seem to become more isolated,this you will notice as you do not see Finnish people or foreigners hanging around on street corners chatting.The mainstay is to scuttle as fast as you are able from one warm place to the next
The summer cyle and preparing for the next winter
When the summer does arrive many people are to be found relaxing out side,whether in parks,on terraces or on the beaches.Helsinki transforms from a place where people are intent on doing their business as quick as possible in winter to a slow,almost manana style in summer.Many Finnish people will turn to tend their gardens or fix up their country cottages in preparation for the next cold winter to come.Obviously clothing has a lot to do with the seasons,in winter every one seems to wear dark clothing to match the dismal light of the winter surroundings.Where as when summer touches us,people shed most of what they have on or convert to wearing bright apparel.People seem to socialize in a more relaxed way in Summer compared to winter
Well,what ever,another Christmas is past and we in Helsinki Finland or as I say The Arctic lounge of the north are on the final down hill leg to Spring and Summer and a farewell to Seasonal Affective Disorder for another year at least
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