Last Updated on May 31, 2022
This week I learned an important lesson: I can survive 48 hours without checking my email. I’ve been way too connected recently – constantly checking social media, my email, and just looking up stuff on the internet – and I decided that it was time for a (mini) digital detox to kick off the New Year, because it’s ridiculous how attached I’ve become to my iPhone (considering that twelve months ago, I didn’t even have a phone and I managed to be without a phone four nearly four years!)
I also learned that snow isn’t as bad as I had remembered it, as I experienced Germany’s first two snow days of this winter. While it wasn’t much fun to run on snow, I felt like a little kid again when I took my nieces out to build a snowman and to throw some snowballs. A stroll along a frozen lake surrounded by a white winter wonderland even was among my favorite days this past days. And drinking a delicious mulled wine to warm ourselves afterwards!
I am now wrapping up my time with family and friends, packing my bags for my trip to Helsinki and Stockholm next week, borrowing winter clothes right and left (5F / -15C? Bring it on!). But first, I’ll spend a few days in Berlin, where I’ll be catching up with some friends before leaving Germany again. I am excited to return to the city that’s been so good to me every time I visited in the past few months, and even more excited to get to know Finland and Sweden after that. Knowing that I’ll be spending a week in the freezing temperatures of Scandinavia, I also dedicated a lot of time to travel planning over the past few days, mapping out my trip to Hong Kong and the Philippines later this month. I am stoked to finally visit the Philippines, a destination that has been on my wish list for so long, and I’ve been getting inspiration for my trip from posts like this one or this one.
I am ready to hit the road again, even though being home for the Holidays felt glorious, and I was happy that I had the chance to catch up with some friends who I hadn’t seen in years, and to take some time off work. Bonus: The reduced number of emails that arrived in my inbox during the Holidays made it easier to do that guilt-free and I am already feeling recharged after my hectic travel schedule in Sri Lanka.
My next Polaroid will be coming from Finland – if you have any tips for Stockholm or Helsinki, or for Hong Kong and the Philippines, feel free to share them in the comments below!
Stefan Arestis
Tuesday 27th of January 2015
My advice for Helsinki and Stockholm is take money - lots of it! lol Kidding - they're not cheap though. When we were in Helsinki, we took a trip to Tallinn which I highly recommend as it's stunning and very close (and a lot cheaper!)
We are going to Philippines too - in around April/May time :)
Dany
Wednesday 28th of January 2015
Ha, I was actually a bit scared of how pricey both cities would be, but to be honest, I found Helsinki pretty affordable (comparable to prices in Germany) and didn't have enough time in Stockholm to spend a lot of money (or to drink ;-) ) I would've loved to head over to Tallinn but ran out of time. Next time! :) P.S. In the Philippines now - I still hope our paths cross somewhere in SEA in the coming months!
Katie @ The World on my Necklace
Saturday 10th of January 2015
So exciting! I am going to Hong Kong and Philippines (as well as a few other countries in South Asia) at the end of the year and so excited already! Can't wait to read about your trip :)
Dany
Friday 30th of January 2015
I am so excited about this trip that I decided I'll be mixing my new posts with all the other posts I've coming up.. don't want to wait until the summer to share my stories ;-) Loved Hong Kong!!
tanya
Tuesday 6th of January 2015
Man that looks cold. Building a snowman sounds fun though :)
Renuka
Saturday 3rd of January 2015
I haven't seen snow in my life ever! I'm sure anywhere in Europe should be wonderful to witness snow and enjoy every activity related to it.
Dany
Sunday 4th of January 2015
I would love to be there when you get to experience snow for the first time, Renuka :) I am sure it'll happen some day :D It must feel so odd!!
Pauline
Saturday 3rd of January 2015
I'm going to Stockholm in mid-Feb! Aahh!! Looking forward to your Instagram updates and tips!
Dany
Sunday 4th of January 2015
I hope I can give you some recommendations for Stockholm, Pauline - only got three days there, so it'll be just a quick glimpse. I hope I'll be able to return in the summer :) Where else will you be going.. or is it just Stockholm?