After months of preparation and hours of travel, I finally made it to Finland! While in Spain I only wrote 2 blog posts, so let’s see if I can do better this time around. This first post will be more of a photo essay divided into the different parts of my trip.
St. Louis –> Chicago
Almost froze on the 2.5 hour delayed Amtrak from St. Louis to Chicago.
Spent the night with Haley, who worked from home just for me. ❤
Met friends for lunch.
Chicago –> Reykjavik, Iceland
I arrived at O’hare 3 hours early and passed through the bag check and security in only 10 minutes. On the plane I had a lot of space to myself since I chose the emergency exit seat. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to sleep at all during the 6 hour flight.
Reykjavik –> Helsinki, Finland
Since the first flight was delayed 45 minutes and the second flight’s layover was only 55 minutes, I walked into the gate just as people were boarding. It was a little stressful but at least I made it. Flight #2 was 3.5 hours and I couldn’t sleep on this one either.
Ham, egg, and rye bread sandwich
Need to figure out how Finnish paper towels work??? 
Found a great little spot to charge and chill (wasn’t trying to move far with my 150 lbs worth of bags).
Once in Helsinki, I had 3 hours of downtime before the train because I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to get out of the airport. I had time to relax and leisurely make my way to the train station.
Helsinki –> Jyväskylä, Finland
The connecting train station at Tikkurila had a whole mall inside. 
My confidence wavered and I began feeling unprepared when the guy next to me couldn’t understand my question, “Is this car 4?” 
Struggled for a while to make this bed. 
Since it was light outside well after midnight, I blocked the kitchen window (no curtains) with the extra mattress. The main window has blackout curtains.
First day in Jyväskylä
First meal at Kebab House 
A very steep park next to me
After not sleeping for nearly 24 hours while traveling, I was able to sleep for 10 during my first night in Jyväskylä (usually 8 is an accomplishment for me). I felt surprisingly well. Today’s high was 63°F with occasional rain and intermittent sunshine. Overall the day was fairly productive. First I got food and opened a bank account. Then I walked around the city, which reminds me of Madrid with lots of meandering people and an abundance of shops. I also went to the library to write up this post because my apartment doesn’t have WiFi and the data over here isn’t great. And finally I went grocery shopping. Within 10 minutes of me there are banks, libraries, shopping centers, grocery stores and more.
As expected, most people here are white and I stand out a lot. Already I feel like everybody is staring at me. It doesn’t seem to be a thing to smile or say hi to people as you pass. I guess I’ll have to get used to this. Nevertheless, I think I’m going to like it here! Feel free to subscribe to this blog at the bottom of the homepage, and I’ll try to keep it updated.
Until next time, näkemiin!
Fulbright Adventures in Finland 
Great write up Jordan. Looking forward to this weekend’s pictures from your second Helsinki excursion. Be safe! Love, Dad 29Jun19
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We are so proud of you and I look forward to reading and enjoying your posts! Thanks for including your extended family! Keeping you in our prayers! Love you! Aunt Jettie and Uncle David
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Congratulations on navigating trains and planes! But tell me this; what was the breakfast meal???
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Thanks, Denise! I haven’t quite figured out Finnish cooking yet, but here in Helsinki I’ve been having coffee, rye toast with marmalade, and fruit for breakfast. If anything, it’s the rye bread that makes the meal Finnish.
Surely there must be some, but in my quick sweeps of the grocery stores, eggs haven’t jumped out at me.
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Yesterday I saw eggs for the first time. Oddly both milk and eggs were together on shelves near the refrigerated section but not inside it.
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Very proud of you! Much success to you! – Uncle Steemroller
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Best wishes for an awesome experience!
~Jada Jenkins Reese
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