When the bug bites you...

The headline doesn't open up to everybody, and I'm really sorry about that. I just wrote, hit send and here I am again. I can't sleep for some reason and I keep on thinking about this year, the first time I ever went to Lapland.

I have been outdoor-person my whole life. And I have always enjoyed wilderness and parks, everything that grows and dies naturally. Everything that lives without a person feeding or killing it. And I have seen other countries too, their nature. But when I saw Lapland for the first time, it took my breath away. When you see the fells, the candle trees and sit in real silence for a few minutes, it somehow changes a person.

And what memories I have. All the guides I had the pleasure to work with, all the different features and back-rounds... I treasure them deep in my heart. And in a nightless night like this, I can return to those moments and remember those people. Open, fearless and honest people.

I am that type, who loves to hear and to create stories. All kinds of, from fiction to real life. And what stories they could tell me. I wish I was sitting under Auroras, on a bonfire. Sipping some hot coffee and enjoying the silent sound of wood burning, wind whispering. Under stripes, dancing and changing colors, making it as clear as a day. I miss all of it so much.

I had so much feelings inside me, bursting out rapidly when I sat down on a buss, heading back home. I cried for the first hour, I'm not going to lie. Only with strict self-control I was able to sit down and not run out of the buss every time it stopped. And I can promise that when the train arrived to my sweet, southern hometown, nine weeks had felt like a dream.

So when I went back, I was so happy. I couldn't sleep then, like I can't right now. It was so good to get back, I was so happy to see everyone again. I got to see Lapland in summertime and what made me blink twice was because I recognized everything although there wasn't any snow. And again I did my best, gave everything I could as a townie, girl from "a big city". Leaving with my heart broken again, so ready to cry my heart out.

And even tough I'm not there, I know I will go back. My best wishes to everyone up there, enjoy your winter season. I miss you all so much. And if you ever happen to read this, I hope that future will bring you everything that you have ever dreamed of. I believe in you all.

Ups and downs - Why would you choose bartending?

I have heard it at least hundred times. When it's Friday or Saturday evening, everyone is out having fun, why would I settle for standing sober, selling more than I could ever drink myself?

I personally love it. I didn't enjoy drinking that much after turning 18 (in Finland it's legal to drink in a bar and buy alcohol at age of 18), nor did I enjoy being in a bar. It was always loud and messy. If you dressed up some assumed you are "free beef to hunt on" and if you wore more casual clothes, you felt like out of place. I have never enjoyed being hit on by a stranger in a bar, especially when the stranger usually won't understand that no means no or being polite doesn't mean that you are hitting on them. More drunk you are the more people try to use you, make you go home with them.

But when you work there, if someone is clearly too much out of line, you can throw them out. Also you have authority, when as a customer some others may act so out of line.

And the pay is good. Here in Finland we get extra for working nighttime, or on a calendar holy/sacred day (in Finnish calender it's every Sunday) and sometimes even double. So you can do few hours and still make OK-money. The trick is to get the hours. Some have two, even three different workplaces and contracts. There is a catch tough; for every contract you have to pay more taxes.

So to get it all together, you have to love what you do. Picture this;

You are standing in front of many people. All are waiting for you to take their order. You know what you're doing. Every drink, every different name for a beer, everything. You small-talk and chat and laugh with the customers, some of the orders you know before they even order. Some leave tips, some don't, but over all, with  good drive, you enjoy every second of it.

We all have a thirst to do what we love. Some do it as a hobby, some do it as living. I have found wilderness as my other beloved thing, but I can't do it just yet. So I go running in the woods. So I go outside and take photos. So I dream. But also I'm in a good place now. Southern bartender, dreaming of becoming northern wilderness-guide...

Well, we all have dreams!

First time in Finland? | How to behave in a bar

So I noticed that (again) it has been a while since I have posted anything. Sorry about that. Now that it's winter season, almost Christmas, I want to tell about our strict laws. It's good to know, if you are first time in Finland. Also some natives should check it up, since everyone seems to be pretty clueless about things.

And just do we are clear; I work in a pub. Nightclubs are something I don't understand. But I think that people working in any environment which sells alcohol can relate to few of my points.

How strict our law is exactly? Let's say, that selling alcohol and tobacco is actually reverse selling; we try our best not to sell anything and/or preventing a possible sale. According to our laws, anyway.

Rule number 1:
Do not bring your own alcohol. 
If we catch you, you're out for good. We don't want people who can't buy their own drinks.

Rule number 2:
Law prevents us from selling double, you are only supposed to have one glass in front of you.
This one is one of the oldest, stupidest thing. Think of us as kindergarten teachers and you are the under six-year-old kid. You can play, but just with a one toy at a time. Also, if you misbehave, you go to time-out. In real life, we throw you out. Or rarely, call the cops.

Rule number 3:
You can order up to 1 litre (~33.81 oz) below 22% strong liquors or 4 cl (~1.35 oz) over 22% strong liquors.
Yes. That is also under control of our law, not just the bartender being an asshole. So if the bartender is breaking the law for you, he/she is risking their personal permits or even the whole bars permits. So don't make them. Usually the young ones are easy to convince, since they have not grown their work-ethics. But then again, it's always up to the seller. But this law is reversed (!) if a group is involved. So in short, law is strict to a person, but it eases when it comes to a group.

Rule number 4:
We don't tip that much in Finland.
Tips are not included in the bill. And usually there are three main reasons to tipping culture; asshole trying to prove something, someone trying to grease you up and then there is the nice guy actually tipping because they liked that drink you made. Usually, the reason is purely selfish, but remember; we are happy to take your money and ignore your hints for a favor.

Rule number 5:
Last call means no more drinks. Also it means that it's time to head out home.
It really does. By law, we have to close the bar and you have a good max half-an-hour to get the hell out. But since we have better things to do than supervise you (like actual cleaning), it's good to be out way before the half is over.

Rule number 6:
We love throwing people out.
Seriously. Not a joke. Give us any reason. Anything at all!

I'm running out of rules here. But my point is, I'm writing at three a.m., I'm tired and people forget how to act in public when they celebrate Christmas. They make fools of themselves and can ruin someone's workday. But then again, on a payday all that bad just washes away... until next Christmas season.

Good night. Or morning? Anyway, I'll end my rant here. Oh, also; don't take everything seriously, but rule number six is golden rule.