Looking for myself in the end of the world

I call this trip “Journey to the end of the world”     

In mid-October, I and my fiance decided to travel to the end of Finland - the most north village - Utsjoki. In Rovaniemi, it was still beautiful autumn but only 200km north snow started. Good, we had winter tires! The first spontaneous stop was at Saariselka Spa hotel and it was also the first night at the hotel for our puppy Ragna. She acted so well. happy we started to train her from day one we got her! Driving 500km north it was interesting to see the changing landscape, fewer trees, more bushes, some rocks, and way more snow! Also, days were getting shorter, and driving at night in Lapland is not my favorite thing because of all the wild animals. Finally, we reached Utsjoki. The plan was to go to Norway but due to pandemics we did not and chose to explore the north of Finland. Kevo national park is open for summer hikes until the 15th of October. It was 16th so we still went and at the beginning, it was an easy forest path but later it started to be filled with stones and snow so it was slippery. I understand why it is not advised to go after the snow comes. But we decided to keep going until the first shelter. Haven’t met a single soul during all the hikes. And on the way back saw a squad trail and thought maybe it will be easier to come back. It was definitely easier to walk but after 30min I realized it was leading us totally in the opposite direction than we needed! So even sometimes path feels easy, it might not lead you to where you want to go. It was hard to say we made a mistake, but anyway, we stopped, walked all the way back, and then took a proper path back. During the trip, we also visited little native Sami people shelters, had a few walks in a forest with many stones, appreciated trees growing in the middle of the pond on a rock, and just the wildlife of such a harsh environment. Imagine, during the summer, it can get as hot as 30 degrees, and then winter goes down to -40 degrees! How well adapted flora and fauna has to be? Another aspect is not only to travel this far north but also to travel with the dog for the first time. Not all hotels and restaurants allow her to stay with us. In Inari, we were really hungry after the hike and saw this beautiful restaurant in the second oldest hotel in Finland. We decided to leave her in a car and my heart was breaking how sad she was there! So next time we said no matter what she comes with us. And even the restaurant did not allow her in, they also had cabins that allows dogs so we ordered food and ate in a private cabin! Sometimes you have to be creative to find a solution, also be open, and stand your ground. The restaurant wanted us to eat there so found a way to do so. Otherwise, Utsjoki and the north of Lapland felt like a special and unique place, especially as so few people ever come this far. If you ever plan to go, visit for summer in July to experience the never-ending sun, and winter is best enjoyed after the new year when days start to get longer so you can enjoy the winter wonderland. But be prepared with really warm clothes and shoes.  So did I find myself there? Yes, I remembered that you can create your own sunshine no matter where you are. Even before it comes you need to cry and clear the energy to allow a new one to come. It’s not a pleasant process but the results are worth it. So be brave. Face your inner world, look for yourself and you will find that you are weird just as we all, and that’s OK! The most important is to be yourself.