The Forest in my Garden

When I first heard I was heading to Tampere, I worried that I wouldn't get to see all the beautiful Finnish countryside. I researched the countless wonders of the national parks and dreamt of wandering and picking the berries and mushrooms within them. The reality was, I didn't have a car, and public transport didn't cut it when delving to the middle of the wilderness. Never mind. This weekend, I discovered a forest in my garden.

The Evil Squirrel

OK, not literally in my garden. I mean, I don't technically have one. But in the surrounding areas, just past the shops, off a busy main road, and even a short walk from the city centre. On a typical, busy day after my initial arrival, I took a walk to find the stop I needed for the bus on Monday. I strolled slightly further down a wooded path and soon realised that the undergrowth had grown denser. The bushes rubbed at my elbows and the distant pathway moulded into dangling branches. The path slopped downhill. I wondered where it might lead and how far I should go. I'd barely walked ten minutes from the busy main road that led to TAMK main campus, and was already lost in the wilderness. I thought against my childish impulses to venture onwards and turned back. I was lost in thoughts of lectures and financial difficulties when a rasping sound on wood caught my ear. I gazed about me. Dense woodland and a distant stillness were all I could see. A squabbling sound rose from above. I looked up, and saw the culprit. Mr Red Squirrel. He gazed down at me, angrily. I sensed I'd walked into his house uninvited and made for a quick exit. Who knew that a stone’s throw from my prison, I'd find a wild forest lair? There were even mushrooms. 

This first week has been brilliant. I've met all the people on my course, and what a group we are! It seems that between us, we have the whole industry covered: Writers, actors, producers, directors. I think it's great and will be a big help when we come to writing and pool our strengths together to learn new things. The lectures have been fun, but I think, and I may be wrong, but I think that most of us cannot wait to get stuck into the scripts. It's not been easy adjusting. Many times I've found myself sick with worry over something. Sadly, the main worry has been a financial one. I've punched numbers in so many times, but I think I’ve finally figured it all out, although I will be restricted on food and drink. Thankfully, I'm not the only one, and suggestions of nights in have started becoming popular. It's a challenge to find activities that don't cost 5 Euros a pint, but this weekend we made a cracking start with a walk to Pyynikki Park.

Us four atop the tower

Me, Anja, Daniel and Janis headed to Central Square for a sightseeing tour. I'd heard about this park and we agreed it would be nice to take a look. It was amazing! A short walk past the main library, which against the famous Näsinneula tower, looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, and we started ascending a tree lined road. We took a footpath next to it, and soon found the forest closing in as it had before. The lakes on either side of us were hidden by the many branches. At the top of the path, we found a small, brick observation tower. The smell of coffee and doughnuts from its café seemed very appealing. There was an easy option to take the lift, but we decided to be hard-core and take the stairs. I was deceived over the towers height, as it took many exhausting steps to reach the top. But, an amazing view of Tampere and its surrounding lakes were well worth the climb! And it was a beautiful summer’s day. It's hard to come to terms with the fact that the country I once assumed to be a constant winter could have such wonderful days! We stayed a while and took in the beautiful view, and later we even found a beach where Janis took a swim! It was a lovely day and I am very excited about being able to visit the other, larger park on the other side of the city.

Beach!

So, it may be expensive in Finland, but with such great company and beautiful aesthetics, I think I'm going to have a great time. I'm not sure what to expect for the coming weeks. I've promised to cook dinner for all those interested at Florian's place next week, and several other seeds have been sown. I have a lot of screenwriting texts and movies to plough through, and at some point I shall have to let myself go on a brainstorming mission to create my ten minute script. Although no deadlines or projects have been set, I'm keeping myself busy in the hope that all this extra reading and watching will inspire me along the way. It’s fun, and I've started to feel those old surges of creative energy. I can only hope that this course gets better and better. And, you know what? I think it will. 

Living like a Spartan

I wondered what I was doing in Finland when I finally arrived at my accomodaion. It was less halls, more prison. I should of known from the 'Cell 2' part of my address. But I was glad to be there, especially as half an hour ago I was stranded at Tampere Pirkkala Airport.

Keskustori - Town Center

Everything went well with my flight. It was a singe in comparison to New Mexico. I continuosly stared out of the airplane window as we came into land. Vast forests and lakes as far as the eye could see. It was absolutley beautiful. There were no problems with secuirty either. I only had to flash my passport and I was in Finland. I picked up by bag and headed out into the pick-up area. Lots of faces stared past me, but no-one appeared to be looking for me. I watched as people slowly recognised their relatives and embraced them with welcoming hugs. I felt a slight concern when most people had left, but I decided not to panic. Instead, I set about calling the International Incoming Students office. The number didn't work. I may have entered it wrong, but the automated Finnish voice didn't make a lot of sense. I looked for a pay phone. None. There was a tourist information desk, so I tried there. The lady called the number for me on her mobile, and eventually got through to someone on my course. The real concern came, when the lady from the university couldn't get hold of my tutor. It wouldn't of mattered so much if my tutor didn't have my house key! I wondered what to do. Sure I could catch a bus and stay in a hostel, but what about getting my key? It felt like the worst case scenaro had actually happened. I paced patiently as I waited for a call back. Evetually, whilst deep in thought, I heard someone call my name. Turns out, my tutors boyfriend was sent in her stead, and had the time of my flight wrong! I breathed a sigh of relief. I had now officially arrived.

Entrance to Finlayson

So here I am, in Tampere Finland! I was given a tour and had a little explore of my own. It seems very picturesque. There are parks springing up all over the place and the rapids run strait through the middle of the city. The area in which I'm studying, Finlayson, has lots of museums and restaurants and I think I'm going to enjoy exploring them over the coming weeks. It does feel however, that I'm living a little like a Spartan! I was glad when I finally got to the store to buy food and the all important, curtains. My first night without them was a little awkward to say the least. But, although the building I'm in is the ugliest I've seen in Tampere yet and lacks in anything close to character, I have a roof over my head for the next three months. I started my course today and the people seem really nice and there are lots of events on offer. I have checked out my first books from the library and am already pouring over all of the resources and getting my head around a few concepts and some ideas of my own.