 | | Meghan Smith is an English teacher and holds
Spanish and journalism degrees from
the University of Texas at Austin. She considers
herself a New Orleans native, and a “New Finn.” | |
Yes, we have all been asked this question. I have been to so many tuparit, jatkot, synttärit, and overall lets-get-blitzed-arits that after several years I have started to get creative with my answers. I have been asked for explanations everywhere from the middle of a silent forest whilst orienteering, to a loud drunken ferry from Estonia, in crawfish parties in between schnapps songs, and everywhere in between. There isn’t a simple answer. Yes, I am just as guilty as most foreigners in that, originally, I came here for love. But how can I explain my true feelings for Finland, and my slow conversion to Finnishness, which friends, employers, experiences and accomplishments have contributed to? “You must be crazy,” many have said with a smile. “Came to see the polar bears?! ” others ask incredulously. “Kidnapped by the Russians? Really!” Some may actually believe this one if I tell it without smiling. After my last return trip home, I was accused of “going native.” I felt like an alien in my homeland. The first incident happened at a cash register after pumping my gas. I quickly had my card ready, so as not to make anyone have to wait an additional three seconds in line behind me. As I hurriedly handed my card to the attendant, he smiled, and started out, “You’re not from ‘round these parts are ye?” In shock, I just stared at him, blankly. “You visitin’ your folks?” I nodded dumbly, a deer in headlights. What was this man doing? I simply wanted to pay for my gas, and he had the nerve to…talk to me and ask about my life! I scrambled to put two words together. He continued! “Yeah, I got a boy mahself. My wife and I, we’re so proud. I bought him a fire engine for his birthday; he’s just pleased as punch. He’ll be 7 next year.” Now I was really getting uncomfortable. Mayday! Small-talk, stupid! Get into southern hospitality mode, STAT! Instead I looked behind me to see if the other customers were angry that I was wasting their time. They were all smiling stupidly! “I would just like to pay for my gas, please, number 4, unleaded,” I said, hopefully not too rudely, as my face reddened. “You in a hurry? Ah can give you a shortcut if you headed west,” he said, helpfully. “You drive safe, and come back now, ya hear?” I felt like I was in a movie. Surely people didn’t behave this way all the time to complete strangers. Surely he wanted to sell me something or, or, no….he was simply just being nice. I couldn’t wait to get to my quiet car and put my thoughts together alone. What a Finn I was becoming. I realised quickly that many conversations with strangers were making me homesick…for Finland, that is! Yes, Finland has become home for me. I couldn’t wait to come back for a summer cottage weekend for my real vacation, and peace and quiet with friends to begin. As I slipped back into Finnish and Swedish like a fish released back into the sea, I marveled in satisfaction. Yes, I came to Finland for a man. But the man is long gone, and now, I am here simply for Finland.
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