I finally (sort of) got my camera into working order, so I thought I'd share a few images from my trip to Finland and Karelia. I leave for Ecuador in the morning, so I don't have time for a proper post now, but I wanted to leave you guys with something. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more dreams dreamt in dresses when I return in mid-August, including lots of posts about my time in Ecuador!
xoxoxo
Isabella
Helsinki, Finland
By chance, I met an Argentinean boy and we went on an adventure to find some famous graffiti.
Karelia, Russia
We visited the area in which my grandmother grew up. It was part of Finland until the Winter War. The U.S.S.R. forced the Finns out and relocated Soviet citizens to inhabit the area. It is a naturally beautiful place, but it is currently very poverty-stricken.
We hiked through the wild woods to find the land that my great-grandparents owned until 1944. My grandmother's childhood home was destroyed decades ago, but the stone cellar is still there.
We visited my grandmother's elementary school (NOT the building above!!) It is now a museum where people can go to learn about the lives of Karelians before the war. These clocks were near the entrance.
The church where my grandmother was confirmed:
My mom is stylish.
I am silly.
Helsinki again
An exhibit of African art at the Kiasma museum:
The artwork behind me is entirely made of discarded metal!
Multia, Finland
We returned to my mom's hometown, where my grandmother still lives, to celebrate Midsummer.
My 89-year-old Mummo, me, and my aunt Anne
