International Helsinki Days 2012

'Minus 26 and still HOT'

Oh Yes. It was hot. Never mind the apparent chill. And that was all about the IHD. Naah...
I have been edgy to write about this ever since it got over, not that i'm going to forget anything anytime soon, but rather to make it more memorable. The issue with all of it is though that words simply aren't enough, you have to live it to know it.

I had taken a liking to Finnish people from the start, and more so after the week. It was special this week. I got a glimpse into the culture that is Finn. Perhaps limited to the student culture, but nevertheless, enough to make up my mind that they all would go places. Work to Live, they value there free time immensely, and that's how it is supposed to be. I heard somethings about Finns not being happy etc, not from what I saw, and if they believe in the philosophy, I doubt anyone could be unhappy for long.

And if anyone had doubts about their work ethic, they just have to look at the IHD team. Missing most part of the Sits for getting food on the table, not drinking in the parties because someone has to be sober to take care of us fools, always the late ones to party, and numerous activities planned across various events to keep us occupied and having fun always. To top all that, cleaning up after. If you ever want a royal treatment, just knock on CASAs door.

Of everything that is Finn, what takes the cake is the Sits. To give you a rundown of what exactly it is, it's a 3 course Finnish meal, elevated by the drinking songs and skåls (Cheers!) that happen in between. You sit across people on a table in completely (well, almost ;)) random fashion and you drink up to songs that are about everything from your alcohol to sex and beyond. Its a fabulous way to make acquaintances, over the songs, over the right, left and centre skåls, and over the koskenkorva, beer, wine, coffee, punch and all that food. But what is even better is the invitation of particular groups and people during the sits to sing particular songs or whatever they like. Unique about the IHD was probably having all the international contingent singing their own drinking songs one by one. It was amazing to be a part of all that. < Indians in particular don't have such songs, perhaps we can build up some soon after this experience of mine, but what we sang, Kolaveri Di and Sutta (Linked), are definitely in line with a lot of songs that were there in the booklet, go ahead and add them in the next edition ;) or an IHD Songbook? What do you think? >

A fact that I said to many people around was, every night got better than the previous one, for me atleast. Still to that end, one night stood out more. The Cottage Experience in the whites. And its bound to feel that way, the sits was as usual great, the activities were more fun, the intimate Q and A session during the sits was even better, but the kicker was the Sauna and Rolling in the snow, Finnish style, oh yes. You want some pure adrenaline, you go do that.

Another one of great events was the Food Village. Frankly, I didn't think that it would be this big a deal, but it was, as soon as I entered the kitchen and saw people putting so much effort. I will concede that we were under-prepared for the whole thing. But the good part was we were able to improvise well and in time. And the idea worked good from what I heard. O'course most of you were scared of the Indian spices, but back home, we worship them. And it wasn't our fault, you asked for it. I always believe, what is food if it cannot hit on some part of your taste buds. Yikes! But as a matter of fact, Indians do have a bigger sweet tooth than most I tell ya, though a gigantic spicy one too. Next time, something sweet, promise.

Caps! One more time! That was my reaction the next morning. It's just fun eh, what did you expect. And I was the one aiming for the centre glass always, people might be able to vouch for that. The crazy Indian alright. Similar to Beer Pong, played with bottle caps instead The rest, well accept my challenge already.

VDD. Valentines Day Dinner. The crown jewel of events for the IHD, and portrayed that way. Reasons, it was grander, with participation open from all of Hanken, and the theme o'course. If I were a girl, my reaction at entering the hall would probably have been Awwwww, but This looks kickass would have to do here. Everything said, a suited up party is a suited up party. And I'm glad that there was nothing formal about it except for the dress code. People were, to put it mildly, on a hunting trip, more than on the other days. Some made it large (you know). And then some just couldn't handle it (One particular gentleman). Barring some unnecessary fighting though, the night was pretty amazing.

Lastly, a slight mention of something called Pulka! I would never give away an opportunity to be a kid again. And this was exactly what it presented. Sliding down the snow slopes in a park in the middle of Helsinki with only kids in sight, unadulterated exhilarating fun. A must must do. And also the eukonkanto, aka, carry the bitch ;)

Among all this, there were also these corporate interactions. Rovio, The Switch, Fazer, some PR and Advertising firm and Evli. Rovio was the one that I had most fun in and Fazer was the one I missed (I kick myself for that everyday, you don't all you can eat chocolate days that often after all).

A good good week.
Dedication 
Harshit

P.S. I do this sometimes in blogs, I love it, and I'll do this again here...
@ Baarman Did I thank you enough for hosting me? Again, Thanks, my stay was really pleasant, loved our 'few frequent' conversations, and also Arsenal. You are definitely etched in memory somewhere. Keep Hosting!!
@Ville, Sara & IHD Team -> *Bow* I am literally writing this with my head bowed. Amazing event with even better people. Thanks for bringing it to us all. It's unlikely that we'll have such an event in India anytime soon, but one can dream, and I am, and hopefully it will come true.
@Essi Good food can never go unnoticed. Never Ever.
@IHD Participants & Everyone else around -> Well, I am short of words. And anything now might not do any justice to the time we had together. What I'd leave you with is this, you ask me 10-20 years down the line, and I bet I could recall most of the week.
@Divyang & Ravisha -> Hell yeah !!
Fav Songs -> What Shall We do with the drunken Valter, Yogi Bear and A Lady in Red ;)

I would have loved more individual comments, but then it would just get messy and crazy long. So I'd leave that section short, but to cap it all off, I'd say this to each and everyone of you:

You have left a mark on me. I hope I left some on you too.