From Canada and Back

Two of our suitcases have broken and I accidentally left the key to another suitcase stored in Oslo with my family in Finland. Surely this is a sign that it is time to go home!

We have been in 15 different countries - Korea (airport only), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Japan, USA (Hawaii), India, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Germany (airport only), Norway, Finland, and Sweden, in 7 time zones, and on 29 airplanes and now we are about to go back to Canada!

A lot has stayed the same since we left but in many ways we are returning to a different world. While we have been away friends and family members have gotten married, broken up, filed for divorce, gotten back together, had babies, and finished their degrees. Our country (quite unexpectedly) has a new prime minister and (of course) taxes have increased. Our house is rented until June so we will be homeless for a while.

We are different too. We know so much more about the world and subsequently about our own country. Charles said that we changed a lot while we were in Sri Lanka. I guess we will find out just how much when we try to fit back in to our old lives. Collectively we have lost 45 pounds, have suntanned skin (although according to Suranga our tans are fading), I have more grey hair, and Robert has some new pranks (which likely caused the grey hair!) Most importantly, we have made so many wonderful new friends.

We arrive in Vancouver at 2:10pm, exactly 1 year since Rob left Canada last year. We are looking forward to a family dinner at Rob’s brother’s house tonight. I will travel tonight to Kelowna with my family. I will stay there for a month and work on my dissertation. Rob will stay with his brother and goes back to work at his old job tomorrow morning. And then….who knows!

Look out Canada here we come!

Lots of fun!

We stayed closer to the city of Ostersund with my cousin Katrin, her partner Gustavo, and their kids (Gabriella and Sebastian). Here we enjoyed delicious dinners cooked by Gustavo, and dance shows performed by Gabriella and Sebastian

On Sunday Katrin took us to a museum, which keep us all entertained!

Ostersund, Sweden

I spent two rather uneventful days in Uppsala, Sweden while Rob attended meetings at the university. We went to Ostersund, an area where my grandfather’s relatives live, for the weekend.

Many members of my family are in horse racing business. They breed, train and race horses. We spent an afternoon at the farm, touring barns, meeting racehorses, viewing racing prizes, looking at old family photos, and eating delicious homemade soups, breads,and cookies.

Prize winning horse, Tiger Tamboro


My dad’s cousin, Carl.


Katrin’s summer villa at the farm.


The family “bakery” where special flat bread is made.

Shopping with Camilla

We spent the day shopping with my cousin, Camilla. One of the best things to shop for in Finland is glassware. Although it is heavy and easily broken I am not daunted (hey - I bought rock carvings in Zimbabwe to pack home!)



Rob finds a new look.

Seeing Swans

Relatives, Håkan and Kenneth took us on a behind the scenes tour of the new Nautor complex where they work. Here luxury Swan sailboats (some as long as 160 feet) are built and launched.

A fine day for a swim!

My family invited us to join them for a “swim” which means alternating between paddling in a hole in the ice on a frozen lake and then sitting in a hot humid sauna. A far cry from the beaches of Sri Lanka!



I felt fairly confident that I would survive the ordeal having experienced my mother's Canadianized version of this event (alternating between sitting in a hottub and rolling in the snow). Rob however, was a bit skeptical. Leni did not help matters when she asked "do either of you have any heart conditions," with a concerned look on her face.



We did indeed survive and had a lot of fun but this is definitely one of the craziest things that we have done on this trip!

Staying at Leni’s

We are staying with Leni (my mom’s cousin who is like an auntie to me) and her husband Håkan.

Me and Leni


We arrive just in time for the baptism of Leni’s Grandson, Isaac.

Bennäs, Finland

We spent Easter weekend with my mom’s family on the West Coast of Finland. My mom was born in Finland and immigrated to Canada when she was 6 years. This is my fourth trip to see my relatives. I am reminded of my grandmother as I eat stringy yogurt, like she used to make, and sample breads from family recipes passed down though the generations. I see my grandfather in the faces of his relatives and am reminded of all his grand stories.

More has changed in past five years since I was last in Finland than in between any other of my visits. There are four new babies in the family and one new (adopted) child. Since I was last here my auntie has passed away and my cousin also lost her partner to cancer. More than anything, people living in Finland seem to have more access to the world. All of my relatives now have high speed internet in their homes, and with more expendable income and airlines offering cheap flights, my relatives are traveling like never before, and many will visit us in Canada in the near future.