About smart phones

There is a thing I find overly annoying. It is people (including myself) being glued to smart phones. There are couples on romantic dates, groups of friends among fun activities, business people at meetings, you name it – all looking at those small screens. It seems that people are either not mentally present at where they are or they are living through social media. Having constant access to everyone you know and do not know is addictive.

Let's say I go for a coffee with a friend. While she is telling me about what she has been up to, I half-heartedly listen to her. Every now and then I pick up my phone to check my e-mails. I am dying to know if I got this job I applied for. After a while my friend looks annoyed, as it is obvious I am not giving her my full attention. I am being rude, and she wonders why I invited her to hang out in the first place, since I am not really interested in hearing what she has got to say. This is not necessarily true. I do want to see her, but at the same time I am curious about an important thing that is about to shape my life. Since I have the opportunity to get the news at the very minute they arrive, I cannot resist to keep checking on it.

Then I go on a hike by myself. I take several pictures of the pristine landscape, and in my head I already form a catchy Facebook status to accompany them. As I walk the paths, I register and process my surroundings through mentally sharing them on social media. It is like, I want to show off to everyone what cool things I am doing, to gather many likes as acceptance and admiration. But on the other hand, I would not send every update to all my friends individually. Through larger distribution I allow those who what to, to follow my doings. Similarly I have many friends all over the world, with whom I am not close enough to stay in constant personal touch, but I enjoy seeing their updates to keep some track of their lives.

In Finland I have got an internet plan on my smart phone and I check it too much. Often it is actually a sort of disappointment: no new messages, invitations or likes. Nothing and no one interesting has appeared. Abroad I only have access to internet at wifi areas, which makes me more relaxed. It is easier to concentrate on people and experiences, who are presently there, when my smart phone is at the hostel. It is enough to check it just a couple of times a day, and I am actually happy when I am forced to do so. Otherwise I no longer have the willpower to stay away from my smart phone.

PS. I like instant messaging, especially receiving personal photos taken by friends far away. It is neat knowing those messages are meant specifically for me. Seeing what a friend is doing and knowing that he wants to share a moment of his life with me, puts a smile on my face. 

Notes about China

I spent six weeks in China. Culturally it is the strangest country I have visited so far. Here are some of my random observations:
- Chinese people in faraway areas look different from each other.
- Drug stores play loud party music.
- People speak to you in Chinese even though you understand nothing.
- Taxi drivers do not like picking up foreigners.
- Leaving food is polite. It signals you got enough to get full.
- English translations are absolutely hilarious.
- People photograph you like you were some rare species.
- When you are alone, people are very friendly and helpful.
- Spitting and coughing is common activity.
- The word meaning a white person is "hello".
- People make their babies pee (and even poop) on streets.
- Schedules and opening times are surprisingly accurate.
- Chinese climbers reserve routes for ages to project on them,
- People hold onto traditions and superstitions.
- Local beer is week (< 3,3).
- Airport personnel do not mind overweight luggage.
- Pointing and acting is the best way to become understood.
- Traffic lines are unorganized but functioning.

Market day

Giving autographs at Kailas store ;)

I traveled in Guangxi and Yunnan provinces. I enjoying experiencing varying landscapes, foods and styles in the different places, that reminds me what a huge country China is indeed.

My first destination was Yangshou, one of Asia's must-visit climbing spots. The crazy city is full of Chinese tourists, making it busy and noisy especially during public holidays. I stayed at Climbers Inn, which is run by Lily, who means well but keeps missing things. Every morning climbers decide what crag they want to go to and share a taxi to get there. To get most out of one's climbing, it is quite important to pick crags with adequate grades and styles. I liked long, technical face routes the best. Unfortunately my climbing performance got a bit distracted by late mornings and wine drinking, and I ended up leaving before I had sent any of my projects.

Moon Hill

Two flights and two bus trips (of which one was 12 torturous hours on bumpy unpaved mountain roads) took me to Dao Cheng. It is a small town at the Tibetan border, surrounded by snow capped mountains and influenced by its neighbor's culture. New bouldering areas are being discovered at high altitudes of 3600m - 4400m. We rode our bikes to the rocky hills and walked around them searching for potential boulder problems. Although the general rock quality was not great, we had fun identifying, naming and grading new routes. I missed making myself a route setter, though, since all my problems were too difficult for us to send.

Check out this video of Dao Cheng bouldering

Tibetan food

I ended my trip in Liming, which is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. The village, that is basically just one street, is in the middle of majestic big walls. It is China's major trad climbing area with potential for hundreds of high class routes. Walk-ups to the crags were long and strenuous, and crack climbing was a whole new thing for me. I was happy to be with experienced climbers, who set up ropes and taught me jamming techniques. I definitely got motivated to learn how to place gear, to someday add trad climbing to my skills! To top up the experience, we did a via ferrata going up the mountains and inside a large cave.

The transfer spot was Lijiang, where I visited altogether three times. For me, it was a city of annoyances (running around to arrange my visa extension), chill-out times (wandering in the idyllic, maze-like old town and staying in boutique hostels) and cries (leaving behind my only true travel romance). From there I flew to Finland.

Appreciate each day

I wake up to the familiar sound of my alarm and reach out for the cell phone to turn it off. It reminds me of the previous morning, when I similarly woke up. Except that since yesterday one day has passed. One day of my life is gone forever. I am one day closer to death.

How did I spend that one day? Did I do anything worth looking back to or being proud of? I sure hope I did not just blankly live it through. I hope I gave attention to the people I met, took notice on happenings around me and even initiated some sources of joy. Most of all, I hope I did not mistreat the day as an eternal source of time.

Today I am living the day that will be gone tomorrow. I may be going through repetitive tasks or big adventures. In whatever case, what do I want to remember of it the following morning? Or what if next day does not exist for me?

Gotta love Chinglish ;)

Why I quit my job

One morning my friend stated that he has got the world's best job. For him design is lifestyle and passion, and he does not mind spending all his time at work. I felt envious of him, because I have never been paid for doing what I really enjoy.

My previous job was secure and well-paying. I had reasonable working hours, enough vacation days and great colleagues. The only thing lacking was enthusiasm. I never used my full capacity but just performed well enough to pass. At times I was so frustrated that during days I counted hours till end of work, and when I was not in the office I got crumpy thinking about going there. I admit, I have got very high expectations of life. While many people are satisfied to do just something to pay the bills, I want my work to be filled with interest, challenge and impact.

If I work 8 hours per day and sleep 8 hours per night, in a week I spend over a third of my waken time at work. It is a lot of time. Sure every job is sometimes boring and difficult, but for most of the time I want to feel good about mine. Unlike my designer friend, I have no childhood dream profession. When I quit my job I did not have clear ideas about what I would prefer doing for work. I just knew I was not happy, and later on I would regret if I had not even tried to change it for better.

So when my company had contractual negotiations, I saw it as a good change to voluntarily leave with a resignation package. In no way it was an easy decision, as I feared ending up worse (extra reading: Unbeaten stress). But I wanted to have a strong push and enough space to create myself a new career. I decided to do it through traveling.

Now I have been on the go for five months. In the beginning my job search was relaxed and casual, but over time it has become increasingly focused and strategic. As I have been familiarizing myself with the international development field - including its different parties, systems and characteristics - I have found out what I would ideally want to work among. Already this is a break-through for me, since now I finally have a direction where to head to.

Entering the new field has proven to be extremely difficult. I am competing against hundreds of experienced people for positions spread around all over the world. It seems that sending out applications is waste of time unless I have connections backing me up. I am getting discouraged at trying my hardest and yet still barely getting any answers. It is stressful being in this situation alone; deciding where to go and what to do in order to maximize success, without proper information on job markets and conditions.

But now giving up is not an option. Even though some people are getting doubtful about me ever finding what I want, I must keep trusting on myself. As long as I believe that I am determined, smart and lucky enough, I will be alright. I anticipated that this career change would require lots of boring hours on the computer, persistence and even correcting lapses made on the way. Now I must stick through it until I find myself in a new, exciting and fulfilling job.

After all, hitherto I am closer than ever to my dream job. I actually know what it is, and I am putting effort into getting it. And anyways, true achievements are those that one has worked hard for. So when I eventually wake up one morning happily thinking about going to work, I know this struggle has paid off!

When climbing (or life or whatever) gets touch, have a mojito!

Temporary stability

I have been in Hong Kong for six weeks now. I came here with an intention to live more of a normal life for a while - to stay in an apartment, make lasting friendships and network professionally. I have gotten what I wanted. People have been unbelievably helpful in making me stay in this bustling, diverse and functional city.

Offerings at a buddhist temple

When I was homeless after the flat scam, a friend of a friend of a friend let me stay in his apartment. Now we are also seeing each other. After backpacking for months I enjoy cooking my own food, inviting friends over and just chilling in peace. I even have a daily routine: morning run, breakfast, work at home, lunch and more work at a cafe, dinner meet-ups, sleep.

My favorite cafe (downstairs is a sports store)

Hong Kong is very compactly built; it is full of tall buildings with numerous small apartments. Its transportation structure is excellent with well planned metro lines and extensive tram, bus and minibus service. Therefore commuting times are reasonable compared to other major cities. Housing is extremely expensive. As an example, the average monthly rent of a downtown studio is over 1600€. Due to lack of space, many Hongkongers extend their living rooms to restaurants, gyms and even offices, thus spending long days outside.

Expectantly Hong Kong has a huge banking sector, but there are various other industries, too. To my interest, sustainability - corporate social responsibility, energy efficiency and green environment - is an increasingly hot topic. Since there are prospective global consulting companies here and Hong Kong's job market is all about connections, I attended networking events. Wearing my only smart outfit and sipping free wine I talk with as many influential people as I can. They have turned out to be very willing to help; introducing me to right persons, circulating my CV around and inviting me to further events.

This gentleman knows my home town Kajaani!

I am quickly getting into the climbing society. It consists of locals, who all seem to climb solid 7s, as well as expats. They actively open whole new sectors, re-bolt old routes and keep approach paths safe, while providing newcomers with accurate route and beta information. And naturally, like everywhere, after each day out we sweaty, chalky climbers populate a random local restaurant for food and beers.

Climbing circumstances are frustratingly tricky here. The first factor is hardly predictable weather. Elsewhere it is simple: If it rains, the crag is wet. If it does not rain, the crag is dry. But in Hong Kong high humidity can make crags wet even when it is not raining, that must be taken into consideration when deciding whether and where to climb. The second factor is lack of weekday partners. Since most residents work and there are few climbing tourists here, it has taken some effort to scout around for other weekday climbers.

Sadly soaked crag :(

The quality of climbing is excellent. There are numerous easily accessible areas around the city and its nearby islands, totaling to hundreds of routes. I like the general route setting; lines are clean and straight with frequent bolting. However, grading is random, as I can sometimes do better on a 6C than on a 6A. And yes, I have finally climbed my first 6C! I actually on-sighted it, thinking that it was just a 6B+.

Check out this beautiful video of Tung Lung climbing! (You can even see me for a few seconds on it.)

Bad ass difficult 6A!

Generally Hong Kong is very work and money oriented. On average Hongkongers work 49 hours per week, while expats work even more. Those having money like to show it around; driving posh sports cars, dressing in luxury labels and dining in fine places. Families hire low-paid Philippine helpers to take their dogs for walks, raise their children and in entity run their households. It seems like appearance is more important than well-spent time.

Taken this all, I would be willing to stay in Hong Kong more permanently if I got an opportunity to get my new career started here. I could enjoy what I like, ignore what I do not like, and make this my home city for a few years.

Let the year of sheep be a  lucky one!