When you think of “Helsinki” or “Finland”, what comes to mind? When I used to think of Finland, I really imagined something similar to Canada; an outdoorsy culture (where winter is at the center of most activities), reindeer, and Olaf from Frozen. Yes, Olaf. Because why wouldn’t you imagine a cartoon snowman when you think … Continue reading
Recently, my purpose has become apparent. A part of me has always known what it was, but it’s taken courage to admit it to myself. As such, I felt inspired; what were other peoples’ purpose? I decided to start this series, which I hope will be ongoing. This is the first of the series. In … Continue reading
I’ve always had a habitual need to listen to my body, both literally and metaphorically. Whenever I’d eat anything that made my stomach upset, I’d make a mental note and discard it from my lifestyle. The same has become true of other important things in life – “friends”, jobs, and opportunities. Not all opportunities are … Continue reading
One of my favourite memories, as a child, involved noodle soup, laying on my bed, and a good book. I haven’t outgrown the habit of reading, but I’ve had a lot less time to put into this desire to always read more. It all stems from going to university; while a great place to learn, it’s … Continue reading
I’ve always longed for a day when I could buy a high-end trip to a “high-end” destination and not worry about having to plan out certain details. I’ll admit that while a part of me is very “minimalistic”, another part of me really likes “luxurious” things, too. Owning an excessive amount of things doesn’t appeal … Continue reading
Before I moved to Spain, I had read a lot about the history of Spain, its people, and its position in Europe. While some places in Europe are, quite frankly, less fascinating in terms of their history, Spain has always stood out to me for its extremely diverse culture. Perhaps part of that is because where my parents … Continue reading
Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion regarding a possible Rumi film. Yes, an entire film dedicated to the life of the most famous Persian poet. This got me thinking; I’ve always had a difficult-yet-poetic name. When I was a kid, I used to highly dislike being named “Ghezal” because no one ever knew how to say … Continue reading
I may never fully understand what it means to be a refugee. From my understanding of the term ‘refugee’, I know that it means to seek refuge due to unstable circumstances in one’s homeland (for varying reasons). I understand that my parents were a type of ‘refugee’, as many people of their heritage are. They’re highly … Continue reading
There are some cities whose reputations surpass reality. We tend to believe that these places are going to shake us to our very core, and that we’re going to walk away remembering them for the rest of our lives. These are the heavyweights of the travel world – the cities that never sleep, and/or never cease … Continue reading
“Just pack two outfits, and you’re good to go.” “Pack extras in case you need them.” “Make sure you take lots of underwear.” Regardless of where you’re from, what your gender is, or how old you are, you’ve probably heard at least one of these quotes. Some people are of the mindset that you don’t … Continue reading
The Rooted Traveller 