Hi, there. It’s been a while. I haven’t had much to write about since returning to the US. However, now, I do!

I have been busy, in any case. I’ve been working at a restaurant. In addition, I’ve been teaching swim lessons on the side. Also, my friend Rachel visited me on her way to Europe. It was nice to show someone everything Connecticut has to offer. A small state, Connecticut, does offer a lot as a state. We have two of the best casinos in the country (if not the world), some of the best pizza (google “New Haven Pizza”), amazing breweries and wineries/vineyards, and tons of unique untouched nature. To everyone reading this, you’re always welcome to visit me; we can also visit New York City.

If the title hasn’t given it away, I’m headed to Lapland. Weren’t you just in Finland, Aidan? Yes, I was. However, I never left Helsinki. In contrast, Lapland is located in the north and offers a lot of untouched, quiet natural scenery. I imagine the photos and the stories will provide more than enough for your and my entertainment. I promise to do my best to post pictures as soon as possible.

Currently, I’m sitting in Oslo Airport (OSL) drinking red wine at 13:00 (1 PM for you Americans who can’t manage to subtract 12 from the big numbers). The flight here was excellent. If you haven’t heard, a new low-cost carrier operates between the US and Europe, Norse Atlantic Airways. They started with flights between the US and Oslo but will soon be operating flights between the US, London, and Berlin. While prices are still elevated at the moment because it is the summer season, I imagine you’ll be able to book roundtrip tickets for around $600 or $700 starting with October. I booked this ticket with like one week’s notice, and the prices had gone down, so don’t be afraid. This was my second flight with them; I had taken their second maiden voyage across the pond nearly two months ago. While it is a low-cost carrier, the prices for add-ons are reasonable and still beat the core airlines—anyway, enough about this new airline I love.

So, I will be in Lapland. What will you be doing over there? Thanks for asking. Honestly, I don’t know all that well. I’ve let my friends Ville and Paolo do most of the planning; I trust their judgment. I know we’ll be hiking, hitting up a sauna, possibly swimming in some pristine waters, and relaxing. Also, I’ll probably be cooking up some fantastic food with limited supplies (or not, who knows).

Welp, I need to order another glass of wine. If I don’t get back to you immediately, please understand that I’m merely having a great time without you. I’m kidding (maybe).

That’s it. That’s the blog post. Stay cool out there and buy your pet(s) a new toy or two.

Aidan