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Sintra - first impressions

A small town at the edge of Lisbon metropolitan area that has a story to tell. The royals’ favorite the Portuguese and foreign ones, inspiration for artists and number one destination today’s travelers in Portugal. Sintra holds the country’s most iconic castles that will stand out from the rest of the world’s royal palaces.

Castelo dos Mouros and Sintra 

It was thanks to the royal family of Portugal who’d been chanted by Sintra mountains, fountains and the ocean around them for thousands of years. Many of the palaces served as ”holiday cottages” for several royal families during centuries. The most recognizable ones stand on top of the mountains,” of the moons” they used to call them in the ancient times and worth of every step you take uphill. The Palació de Pena used to be a monastery dating from Middle Ages and is today one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The transformation from a monastery into this colorful candy palace took place in 19th century by Prince Ferdinand. The castle has been forgotten and abandoned in between the centuries as impossible as it sounds. How can someone forget something so colorful, stands on top of the mountain and can be seen as far from Lisbon in a clear weather! The last Queen of Portugal spent her last night in the country in this very palace. Since Portugal turned into a republic the castle has been serving the public as a museum. Architecturally the palace has wide range of styles in it and can be divided into four sections which all enlighten its historical past.

Palació de Pena

Castle of Moors which no one quite knows where it started. Dating somewhat from the 8th and 9th centuries from the Muslim era, it is part of Sintra national landscape and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The original idea of it was to protect the capital as the country. It holds the best views I’ve seen in Portugal so far. Some people don’t appreciate it cause it’s just ”the walls” but it’s great to take steps somewhere as this historical and pass all the flags of Portugal that have represented the nation during 900 years.

There are bus connections up there you know. Or you can take a taxi or tuktuk of course. Or do it like I do walk all the way up and down and die pretty much after the 5 hour adventure. Or I might have been just out of shape since we’re not exactly talking about Mont Blanc or Everest here just a few hundreds of meters going uphill. If you happen to be in Lisbon in the summer don’t miss the chance to visit Sintra. But if you can, wait since you’ll be making the experience so much more pleasant with less tourists during the winter season.

Some of my favourite houses found on my way up to the mountain

The reputation as a fairytale is highlighted by the forests and gardens around these two castles. Take an hour or two while getting lost in them. They also offer a cool shade during a hot day. Sintra holds more castles also but I haven’t visited them yet so don’t bother to write about something I haven’t experienced myself. Sintra’s small town is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site but didn’t think much of it. Except that it’s super small. Along the streets and in the parks folks sell all sorts local products. Some would say they’re touristic junk but I definitely refer them as worth stopping for!

In case you’re not into the enchanted castles you can always hop on the bus to the most Western point of Europe Capo da Roca. The bus ride for an 1 hour was quite nice driving along the small Portuguese roads through small villages. The actual spot which stands as the westernmost point is quite small but there seems be to a lovely looking natural park surrounding it. Didn’t fancy much of a taking a stroll on a super windy winter day so that’s yet to be discovered. But for someone who comes from a country with lakes and as flat as Finland – the rocks and that gigantic ocean was a powerful view. Knowing that the next spot of dry land is thousands of miles away. It was a place to be experienced with all senses: feel the strong wind coming from the ocean, hear the powerful noise of the waives rushing to hit the rocks and see all of that with your own eyes.

Don’t have time to publish all my Portugal photos before going to the next tour! 

Xmas at home was so white, quiet and cold but in a good way. 

Just can't stop praising this event! #igloofest #mtlmoments

Early Spring

Oh boy do I have news!

Thou not sure how “new” they are actually since it’s all been out in FB and Twitter for a week already.

But anyway I’m now officially Linguistic video game tester, working for http://www.babelmedia.com/. It doesn’t make video games but provides testing and translating services for those who do. I’m sure everyone’s seen a videogame once in their lives. All the text in it, the menu and directions etc – I’ll be translating it from English to Finnish. This job was so not on my list of “possible jobs in mtl”! But so far so good, based on the three hours that I’ve already been doing it. Very technical with all the computer programs which was expected but once I get the hang of it, I think I’ll enjoy working there . The atmosphere is very relaxed and warm. People seem nice and helpful. The pay is pretty good too. I should live.

The only down side is that I’m on call employee and the shifts which can vary between 7am and midnight come to my knowledge only 12-24h earlier according to my availability information I’ve given them. And even thou weekends are off it makes it kind of hard to plan the rest of your life when you don’t know IF you’ll be working this week and WHEN exactly you’ll be working. And once you’ve told them you’re available at certain time you cannot refuse to work.

(In a ferris wheel at the Fête du Neiges winter event)

At this point when I want to work as much as possible and I want to be available as much as possible for them, it leads to the fact that I’ll be kind of waiting by the phone for the shift to come in and if it ever does. Which totally sucks. But since there’s nothing better available I’m gonna give it a go. I’ve been told by the them, press, employees that the industry is doing well in Montréal however the changes in the industry can be very sudden and unexpected. And apparently being a native Finnish speaker is kind of an asset which just hasn’t kicked in yet. Who knew! #mtlmoments

Sadly with all this job hunting not going as I planned I’ve kind of decided (I keep changing my mind every minute thou) not to go to Laura Pausini’s concert in Toronto on March 9th. Or actually it’s not exactly in Toronto since Casino Rama, the venue is a couple of hours outside of the city. That was kind of the problem for me. Where in Toronto I could have slept in cheap hostels, in the Casino Rama area doesn’t have the same options or low rates. It’s literally in the middle of nowhere. So for financial reasons not going which feels ridiculous cause I had the money to come here all the way from Finland but I cannot afford to see my favourite artist to perform in six hours away from me!?

(Promotion for the Christmas gig in Italy, 2013)

I keep telling myseld that Laura wasn’t really even my priority when I came to Canada.. she just happened to have a concert nearby while I was here. I’ve seen her four times live, met twice, briefly but anyway, got two autographs, even one dedicated to me on my very first LP album. I have great memories of journeys travelled and friends made. I have been so incredibly lucky in the past... I shouldn’t be this sad! And I wasn’t even that excited about this tour. I was excited about the Greatest Hits-album but not about the tour cause I kind of dislike the tracklist, not the songs in it but the order of them which affects greatly to the atmosphere of the concert. But since I’m not going it’s not my problem anymore. Just hoping Laura will release a DVD (with a CD) about the tour for the ones that didn’t get to see her live.

But to more positive things! Otherwise events of this city just keep getting better and better. Igloofest is one of the many winter outdoor events Montréal helds but it just might be the coolest and the craziest one I've ever seen. Tells the great deal about the attitude that the people of this city has towards the weather and winter. It’s an electronic music event organized in the Old Port of Mtl on four weekends Thursday- Saturday nights. It’s the winter version for Picnik Elektronik. People of all ages, from children to older folks come to enjoy the outdoors and great music. We could never have this thing in Finland. Too many laws and regulations preventing it happen. Two stages, several DJ’s during each night, games, food, drinks etc. Awesomeness! Tickets for one night is about $20 so not expensive either! www.igloofest.ca  Definetely #mtlmoments

(Igloofest)

The adventures of my unwanted pets, the mice has ended too. Animal lovers, please don’t read the following. You don’t wanna know, trust me. Had this teeny tiny nightly incident with a rat getting caught in glue trap in my room. Nearly caused me a heart attack. Totally panic I went to search if anyone was still up – it was 1am Monday-Tuesday night. And seriously I’ve never been more grateful for having roomies cause they took the disgusting thing out of my room and seriously tried – and there were two of them, roomates not rats – to get it out of ALIVE AND WELL…with a little glue on its fur but otherwise fine.That was the goal. And according to the package it was supposed be totally possible! But… in this case it wasn’t. Again thanks to my roomies cause I was in so much panic in that point that I couldn’t have gone anyhere near that thing. Yeah the frenchie got a knife and killed it.

The next morning after a badly slept night I went out and got PERPPERMINT OIL which has worked like a miracle! No mouse or rat in sight ever since! And I don’t even have the headaches anymore because of the smell.

And then more deeper stuff...I was asked a while ago if being in Montréal has changed me at all. Didn’t know exactly what to answer in that moment but it got me thinking for sure. The thruth is that I’ve been in Canada now for six months exactly. Another six months away is also my ‘going home’. Yeah… let’s not think about that.

Before I came here I used to describe myself as an open minded person but lately I’ve realized that I really wasn’t. Not that I was a racist or anything but before I never thought I could be friends or have anything in common with people who’re from certain area of the world or are certain kind of people. And I have a feeling that this Babel job is gonna be one eye opening experience more. 

(Canadians truly love their maple syrup! They even make lollipops out of it in the snow! You just roll it up with a stick from there. Never in Finland!) 

I also appreciate more Europe in these days. Lots of canadians complain that all the places that most people can have afford  to go for a holiday are the States and Latin America and even the latter is kind of far. I do see the point even thou for me those contries aren’t exactly dull destinations to travel to. Even Canada is a huge treasurry with its all different provinces and cultures.

But I guess one of the best things in Europe is how small it is. We’ve got all those amazing countries, languages and cultures so close together to each other. Great diversity. So easy to reach and to travel to. Thanks to the European Union we can cross borders without no one asking a thing, where we’re going or why or if we’re ever coming back. No expiration date in your visa. That’s a great benefit. And a great thing to come home to. Someday.

P. S I also seem to have developed a tendency to write less frequently but longer posts when I do actually post something - sorry! Thanks if you made it this far! :)

One of the most intagrammable place in Portugal, Costa Nova can be reached by bus from Aveiro. I believe these houses are air bnb use but not many locals live in these. 

This is definitely one time visit thing. The houses were cute and it was more than just a couple houses (surprised by the amount) but they didn’t feel real and everything screamed for touristic in my opinion. 

My benefit

Never I would have thought of wearing a t-shirt in Montréal in October. Untill this week it’s been over 20C degrees over here and the fall has been sunny, dry and lovely so far. This weekend was the first one when you could actually feel winter approaching. The trees are getting bald and the temperature is dropping. A good thing really, cause all my biggest shopping findings (read: financial disasters) have been about fall/winter jackets! Totally unnecessary of course cause I brought my own from Finland but SO cool! If you ask me, snow can come in already.

(Moi, le touriste!)

At work, hours and days are passing by quickly and I’m gaining so much experience from every minute. Rarely I’ve been taught in a job as thoroughly. My employers seem genuinely interested about my learning experience. They’re quite different  but I think they balance each other nicely. I’m loving the fact that I get to see the two fields in tourism industry that interest me the most. I’m so glad to have (finally) some structure in my life and a real mission to be here.  Though gotta admit that it does bring limitations to my social life. I’m also missing some great events in the city but I guess more great ones will follow…

The atmosphere in both of them is very relaxed but still professional. Especially in the hostel where some of the employees live and there are long term residents, the atmosphere is very family like. The working tasks at the hostel are more routine based, normal reception work, taking care of the breakfast, doing laundry.. when at the gallery they’re different every time according to the upcoming event; preparing the space, decorating and that sort of thing. No routine there.. every day is different. 

I try to keep it as a 5-days working week kind of thing and to have some weekends off as well every now and then. I don’t work more than 30h/week so it’s quite flexible. At the hostel I work usually three 7hours shifts and at the gallery 2-3 shifts but not longer than 6h at the time.

(Oratoire St. Joseph du Mont Royal in August - around 2 million people visit it every year and apparently it takes another two million dollars just to keep the stairs in shape.) 

During my day off’s I’ve continued my sightseeing project. Visited the Oratoire St. Joseph du Mont Royal which is a roman-catholic basilica at the other side of the island of Montréal. Not the oldest thing there is but definitely the biggest. In the entire Canada actually. It took me hours to see the main sections. Definetely worth seeing for though. If you wanna know more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph's_Oratory

I also returned to “the mountain” of Mont Royal which the city was named after. It’s not really a mountain and thank God for that cause I couldn’t probably climb any higher than that. Yeah but people of Montreal love to call it a mountain and it is an insult to refer to it as a “hill”. Anyway spent a lovely afternoon there in the rain of the colourful maple leaves. My pics won’t do justice though.

I love it that it’s so close to where I live.. 30min by foot and I’m in this great forest without a sign or sound of the metropolitan city that surrounds me. People go there to run, cycle, for a picnic, whatever and also for famous Tam Tams, a free live music event that takes place there every Sunday afternoon in the summertime. Unfortunately I missed that one cause when I arrived here in August all my Sundays seemed so busy with everything else. Bummer. 

But I’ve got great stuff coming up!! Lots of things I’m looking forward to! Some personal stuff, favourite music and books coming out but also these great Northern American (sorry, don’t know if they are celebrated in Latin part of the continent) holidays; Thanksgiving and Halloween! I’m so excited! The first one is only one week away and I’ve been invited to a friend’s house to have a traditional Thanksgiving. So stay tuned! :D

(The monument of Mont Royal "The cross" in the night - the photo from: http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/mountain1.jpg )

The rest of my Coimbra photos from the city and the university. 

Sétubal colours! I kind of miss the summer, not the hot temperatures but the rainless days...

Saviez-vous que.. /Did you know that.. ?

Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.

Canada is the coldest country in the world.

The USA has invaded Canada twice, failing both times. 

There are 53 aboriginal languages spoken by 612 bands in Canada.

Ottawa was chosen to be the capital of Canada by Queen Victoria in 1857 as a compromise between the anglophones and francophones. Previous capitals were Kingston, Montréal and Toronto. 

Ottawa is the third cleanest city in the world. 

In province of Ontario there are several namesakes for English towns like London, Whitby and Scarborough.

Toronto was known as the city of York untill 1834. 

Younge street in Toronto being 1,896 km long is the longest street in the world.

Ottawa

The name Québec comes from the Alconquin (native Canadian inhabitants) word “Kébec” - where the river narrows. Today Québec is also known as the “Belle Province” – The beautiful province.

Québec, three times of a size of Spain, is the largest province of the country.

There are 37 National Parks in Canada which 24 are in Québec.

Québec is the biggest producer of Mapel Syrup in the world.

Québec’s “fleurdelise” was the first provincial flag officially adopted in Canada in 1948. The white cross comes from the ancient royal flags of France when the fleur-de-ils stands for a symbol of purity.

Tourism is the 5th largest industry in Québec and the province welcomes over 3 million tourists annually. Most of them from the US and France.

The capital of the province is Québec City, 230km from Mtl.

Québec City holds the biggest Winter Carnival annually. 

Québecois motto: “Je me souviens” – I remember.

Québec City, founded in 1608, is not only the oldest city in Canada but one of the oldest European settlements in North America.

The city of MTL is an island.

MTL is the 2nd biggest French city in the western world after Paris.

Montréal is told to have more festivals/events than any other North American city. 

MTL was originally called Ville-Marie but was renamed after the “mountain” Mount Royal.

The Mount Royal Parc was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed New York’s Central Park. Don’t still be mistaken to imagine that Montréal’s parc is a copy of New York’s one.

Bixie (bicycle sharing system) which can now be found in several metropolitan cities of the world, was developed in Montréal.

The oldest brewery of Canada, Molson was founded in Montréal in 1786

Château Frontenac in Québec City is said to be the world’s photographed hotel.

(Château Frontenac, Québec City)

Olympic Stadium, also known as “The Big Owe” is one of the costliest one in the world with 1,61 billion dollar expenses.

Mtl is a popular location, especially the old town, to shoot movies. For example movies like X-Men: Days of Future Past, Catch me if you can and many others have been filmed partly in the city. 

Cursing in québecois includes several religious expressions such as tabarnac (tabernacle), criss (Christ), sacrament etc.

With 6 universities and 12 junior colleges Mtl has the highest number of post-secondary students in North America.

Mtl is one of the gay friendliest cities in the world. 

Sources: LonelyPlanet, Wikipedia

Any canadian/québecois readers correct me, if I'm wrong in anything :)