A New Year
This past year taught me the value of a calculated risk: from teaching in New York during the height of the pandemic to leaving a job I loved to move to Finland. I bumped along, failed, and learned to exist well outside of my comfort zone.
Jessica and I took this leap together. I have her to thank for diverting me from my previous mindset. I was living the philosophy, “take the path of least resistance.” She helped me find tributaries that flow to entirely new lands.
I still live my old philosophy, and I intend to abide by it as long as it’s useful. It enables me to keep on an even keel. Yet, when I reframe my thinking, I see the benefits of exploring uncharted waters every so often. A calculated risk will lead to difficulties, but beyond the rapids lay calmer waters and a new perspective.
Hungary in December
The Gellért Thermal Baths in Buda. Jessica Stargardter
Budapest may be my favorite city in Europe. We explored the streets of Pest, soaked in the thermal baths, and ate paprika-infused food. The façade of each building was more ornate than the one before. Every street in the Jewish quarter seemed to have three or four cafés or bars for every type of person.
However, my favorite moment took place in a simple concrete building defined by block letters that read “TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE” beneath a matching red awning.
It was our first full day in the city and we were in search of a tourist card that would give us access to the baths, museums, and more in Budapest. We walked in weary from last night’s travels. A man in his mid-sixties and his younger colleague ambled in behind us to the desk.
After a bit of conversation, the older man learned that we came from Finland and cheerily interrupted with, “Moi!”
Nobody outside of Finland speaks Finnish, so we were impressed he even knew how to say hello.
“Are you both Hungarian?” I asked.
“No no. I am from Palestine, and my friend here is from Pakistan.”
“Moi! Mitá kuuluu?”
“Hyvä!”
And there we were: two Americans, a Palestinian, and a Pakistani, speaking broken Finnish in Hungary. To me, those moments make everything else worth it. If nothing else had happened in Budapest, that would have been enough for me.
Moving in Helsinki
In fifteen minutes, we start our move from the grittier Sörnainen to the quieter neighborhood Punavuori. We are also scaling up from a studio to a one-bedroom. Once we’re in and we’ve lived there, I’ll be sure to post an update.
Happy New Year!
Related: Check out Jessica’s photos page. Photos from Budapest coming soon!