Flight from New York to Dallas

Upgrade to first class after 12 hours of travel is a blessing. I have to say that it really makes a difference to be Executive Platinum with American Airlines. The upgrade path is a given and today it feels like a blessing as last nights sleep was only a few hours. Here I come Dallas, Texas!

A week of Finnish summer is behind

I have to say that Finland is beautiful during the summer. The sun shines very late in the evening and there is hardly any real darkness during the night. The latter part of the week included fresh showers and the temparature was below 20 centigrades for the most part. However, Finland needs some rain as it has been very dry for multiple weeks. I am sure there will be morew coming in once the summer goes on.... I will be returning to Finland for a trip in August so we will see what happens.

Historical Hamina, Fredrikshamn visit

I had a chance to visit the historical military and harbour town of Finland called Hamina (in Finnish) Fredrikshamn (in Swedish). This town used to the town where I got my Finnish Army officer training, so there are lots of nice memories that will never go away. I had a chance to listen to a historical speech by Martti Korhonen, who is the number one historian of what we call for Kymenlaakso (he has written several books about it). Three musicians performed between the sessions and the place of our enjoyment was what we call "raatihuone" (in Finnish") "radhuset" (in Swedish").

After the speeches, we had lunch in the garnison officers club (the one I had my military training).

Beautiful day with lots of things going in my mind.

Time in Kalaksue was well spent

I have to say that my two nights in Kalaksuen kyla (close to Lahti, Vierumaki and Jaala) was one of the highlights of this month. I was able to participate in celebration that took place in a very old traditonal mansion with 100 guests. The sun was shining, we had traditional Finnish food and drinks with coffee and cake.

I had almost forgot the fact that it does not get dark at all in the night. The sun was still very high at 09.00 PM, which to me is strange especially as we do not have such thing in Dalla, Texas.

Charles de Gaulle, Paris and luggage is a bad combination

I have to say that I should have known it. My flight from Dallas, Texas to Finland via Paris is a bad combination. I arrived to Helsinki but my luggage did not. So I will not have my brand new clothing for a summer party that takes place tomorrow. I should have known it. If you have an important meeting in Finland and need to have your luggage, avoid this connection. It happens everytime I use it.

On my way to Finland via Paris, France

Here we are again, on my way to Finland via Paris. This time I am flying economy and it is very cramped..... W
10 hours in a small seat... It is going to be interesting.

Time to fly back home to Dallas from Seattle

I am on my way from Seattle/Redmond afteer a very intensive weekend of work. The flight is a direct flight and I was just upgraded to first class, which is awesome. Thank you American Airlines. I get to be in Dallas for only a few days as I will fly to Europe on Thursday for a week.