The Adventures of Quirky Finn

Lahachowk Through My Eyes

hetahannaloviisa — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 06:43:23 GMT

The story of Heta, that is me, begins on the 11th of July 2014. 12 months ago I graduated from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.I graduated with an undergraduate degree in English and Film with Visual Culture.

Only thing about me that existed before graduating was my love for moving image. Before graduating I acted as a president for the filmmaking society, took part in lectures organised by the international relations society and acted as the in-house photographer for the fashion society. Cinergi, as the filmmaking society is called, is still the reason why I fell in love with film.

After graduating I spent few months serving coffee at my job in the local art house cinema. In August I packed my bags and took on the biggest adventure of my life, so far at least. I moved to the rural village of Lahachowk in Nepal. I worked as a volunteer for a local NGO. My job was to film for them, and the film I have submitted is my take on my adventure.

I have never in my life filmed and photographed as much as I did then. I was more certain than ever that moving image will have a part in my future but simultaneously I was more confused than ever what that future was to be. I am still searching for that answer. And I am happier than ever before in doing so. Confused Heta is turning into Heta 2.0 through all the exploring into possibilities.

This search has now led me here. Next step is in your hands! I really hope you like the film and help me take the next step!

The normal people of rural Nepal

hetahannaloviisa — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 09:11:52 GMT

I believe that I deserve this Scholarship as I have experience of travelling and of photography but more importantly I have curiosity about other cultures. I used to be the shy girl in Finland who wanted to photograph people but couldn't and was jailed to the limits of her courage. Then I moved to Scotland and my interest in other cultures and countries grew and so did my courage. The past months I have been volunteering in the village of Lahachowk in Nepal where I truly learned what travel photography could mean to me. What I can learn about the cultures when I have the courage to approach people with honesty and a smile. I have now seen that I have potential but now I need help from someone who knows what they are doing. I want to develop - I want to be better so that in the future I can make a difference with my photographs. In our visual society people see photographs easier than they see text on paper which is why I want to show them the secrets of this wonderful planet. I also want to become more versatile - I believe this opportunity in Peru would provide me a chance to learn different aspects and areas of travel photography I have never even knew existed.

NEPAL panic.

hetahannaloviisa — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 23:41:00 GMT

Finally after updating some of my history I get to rant about what I am actually wanting to rant about.

Six months ago, on a cold December night, I was looking for ways to procrastinate from becoming an adult. I found a website, Volunteer Aid Nepal, who were looking for Documentary Volunteers to film documentaries on the local issues. I applied. And forgot about it.

Two weeks later I was in Iceland, checking my emails, expecting Groupon vouchers and StarNow adverts. What was waiting for me was an email with a line "you have been accepted to Volunteer Aid Nepal's Documentary Volunteer Program."

I freaked out.

Now SIX months later I only have two months to go. And as you might guess, I am even more freaked.

Everyday I keep shopping for more things, mosquito nets, tanlotion, paracetamol, lense cleansers...The list is never ending.

This summer I am taking you, my maybe-existing readers, to a journey to my time preparing for my trip to Nepal which I believe will in one way or another change my life.

Welcome aboard sailors!

Graffiti Central

hetahannaloviisa — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 01:08:00 GMT

Three days in Berlin.

Mentalness. I never realised how large Berlin was. I arrived on the Sunday and left on Wednesday which was nowhere near enough time. Arrived on Sunday evening and had my lovely friend Laura waiting me at the airport with a croissant - what a legend! We travelled to Potsdam, a city where Laura is doing her exchange which is about an hour away from Berlin. And the hour consist of about 4 train/bus/underground drives I might add.

Monday we went to Berlin to walk about, enjoy the heat and see the main attractions. The city is beautiful and the inconsistency in architecture caused by its tumultuous history gives it charisma. We attended a walking tour organised by Sandman tours - 10 € for 3,5 hours that took us around Berlin and showed its street art. I am a huge fan of street art so this tour was my idea, obviously. Laura enjoyed it still and we learned so much from our tour guide Sophie who knew the history of the street art scene of Berlin like her own pockets. After that we enjoyed some AMAZING doner and head back to Potsdam.

Tuesday began with me spending my day in Potsdam. The city is amazing with its little churches, streets, cafes and funny little charity shop I found accidentally. The castle which is central to the city centre has massive grounds that must have hold hiding spots for few blue blooded damsels. A 21st century girl managed to spend her time marvelling at the peacefullness of the forest, the glimmer of the golden walls of the Chinese Tea Room and the exhaustingness of the steps that led to the castle itself. This was followed by a trip to the university where Laura studies and may I say if Aberdeen has gorgeous uni Potsdam's manages to outdo it by miles. The statues and fountains make the area incredibly beautiful and it must be hard to spend time in the library with those buildings surrounding you. Evening went by with currywurst and walking around Berlin.

Wednesday was rainy and reminded me of Scotland. We arrived to Berlin with all of our luggage around midday and head straight to the East- Berlin museum to see what life was like during and after the WWII. The museum was packed with students but it was interesting place for a midday timetravel. After returning from our trip to the past 70 years we went for sushi. Sounds like a small event but for me, who has refused to try sushi after a bad experience in 2006, it was huge deal! And not going to lie, I enjoyed it.

The day ended on a city tour and airport coffees until we reached the beautiful Helsinki at 8PM on Sunday. Three days flew by. Berlin I will definately return to someday.

Photos: Travels Iceland - Reykjavik and other places

hetahannaloviisa — Sun, 25 May 2014 08:29:00 GMT

Life. Panic. Breathe. Panic. Laughter

hetahannaloviisa — Sun, 25 May 2014 08:15:00 GMT

I finally finished all my uni work two weeks ago. The following two weeks involved a lot of cleaning, TV and reading. I watched films. GOOD films. I did nothing. Nothing is something that does not come naturally to me. I am constantly planning. I have million ideas. And dreams, and hopes, wishes and all the others..

I am finally taking steps towards the future. Tomorrow morning at 6am I take myself to an mini-adventure. 12 days, 4 destinations. The journey begins from Aberdeen at 6am with a bus to Glasgow from where I grab a flight to Berlin to visit my dear friend Laura, who is studying in Potsdam. Berlin pause takes 3 days. Then we take a flight to Helsinki where my sister and Laura's sister (who happen to live together, convenient right?) come get us at night time, even though Finland has entered the time of year when its constant sunlight.

From Helsinki we drive to Jyvaskyla. A lovely city, where Laura is from and where my sister currently lives. In Jyvaskyla we are going to stay for three days during which we celebrate Laura's youngest sister Elina's graduation (the reason for this whole mega trip was for me to take photographs of her, I just decided to multi-task). I am meeting my mother and father in the graduation and during the following day we will drive to Oulu, Finland - my home. There I will stay for three days...this seems to be a travel of threes. After some chill with the parents I hop back to a plane and come to Aberdeen to go to Inverness. In Inverness I will stay for 2 days to return back after 12 days of speeded mega travelling.

I love exploring things - time and money just deny months and months of it. This is why these super trips happen. I am hoping that I will post here more often and I will update the photographs from all the trips once I am returned to Aberdeen.

Love and random quirkyness from guirky Finn.

Photos: Around Scotland

hetahannaloviisa — Thu, 15 May 2014 07:26:00 GMT

I have spent my past 4 years in Aberdeen, Scotland doing university studies. During that time I have travelled here and there.

Photos: South-East Asia travels

hetahannaloviisa — Fri, 2 May 2014 00:15:00 GMT

Last Summer was time for exploring. Me and a friend flew across the globe to Vietnam and travelled around for 7 weeks. We visited Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, and even though I didn't tan (Nordic skin aye?) it was one of the best times of my life!

The library

hetahannaloviisa — Thu, 1 May 2014 23:47:00 GMT

The story begins from the library.

Yes, I know this is a travel journal. Each one has its beginning. Mine begins from the library.

I am stuck in what people may call a glass zebra, the Duncan Rice Library in University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Outside the window there is mist, rain and wind. Yes, Scotland lives up to its stereotype. At least Aberdeen does.

I am a Finnish girl who four years ago took upon the task of moving away from home. Normal Finn would have probably moved to Helsinki. I moved to Aberdeen. The past four years have flown by with some amazing travels that I get to talk about in here. But why these stories are called Dissertation is because I have a week before my dissertation, the Dword as I have renamed it, is due. My travels have been minimun in the past months due to that Dword. But I have amazing things lined up and cannot wait to write about them.

The trip 'Dissertation' will soon change to trip called 'WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW' and I wish you all will enjoy my stories of all the mental, random, quirky and extempore trips that are included in that.