Showing all posts in June 2024

In Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2, Uncategorized

A Taste of Blueberry Season

Author sreisaatPosted on 7 Comments

I received this delightful postcard from Sipi in 2011, and I think it captures the essence of summers in Finland in a single image. It arrived early in July – just as the blueberry season was hitting its peak, according to Sipi.

The postcard is a charming illustration showcasing what makes Finnish blueberry picking special: the green woods, plump blueberries filling a traditional birch bark basket. It’s easy to imagine the nostalgia this might evoke for Finns living abroad.

Finland’s love affair with berries, especially with blueberries, runs deep. Sipi told me berry-picking is a national pastime for all ages, bordering on obsession for some! Their devotion is so strong that they’ve even featured blueberries on a postage stamp.

Posti Finland issued this stamp as a definitive with value equal to the first class postage. The design shows their beloved blueberries – on a cup and others till attached to the stems – and the traditional summer dish of blueberry pie.

Sipi had just enjoyed her first berries of the season when she sent the postcard, adding them to her morning muesli. She also reminisced about childhood days savouring them with milk and sugar – a simple pleasure we can all relate to. These personal touches make the postcard all the more heartwarming.

More postcards here on Thursday Photo Hunt.

In Expat Life, Images, Sreisaatv2

How Many Can Ride a Moto?

Author sreisaatPosted on 7 Comments

This week, In My Corner of the World, I’m taking you to the bustling streets of Phnom Penh. Here, traffic travels by foot, car, tuk-tuk, and of course, the ever-present moto (motorbike). They’re a cheap and convenient way to get around, especially when navigating busy streets or short distances.

But a moto in Phnom Penh isn’t just for one or two people. It’s a family affair!

This photo captures this perfectly. A whole family piles onto a single moto: dad at the helm, mum holding on tight with a baby on her lap, and two children nestled between them. And that’s not all! Perched precariously on mum’s lap, with the baby, is the family pup joining in for the ride! It’s a scene that would likely raise eyebrows in many parts of the world, but here in Cambodia, it’s a common sight. Motos are seen as a family vehicle, and it’s not usual to see parents ferrying their children around town, all squeezed onto one moto.

Of course, safety is a concern, (wearing helmets is a requirement) and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend trying to fit this many people – and pets – on a moto yourself! But it’s a photo that captures the unique character of Phnom Penh and glimpse into the everyday life of Cambodians. It shows the resourcefulness and adaptability of Cambodian people, and the way they find ways to make things work, even when space is limited.

So, how many can ride a moto? In Phnom Penh, the answer seems to be: as many as can fit comfortably (and maybe a furry friend)!

In Expat Life, Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2

Sunday Stamps: Moo-ing to the countryside

Author sreisaatPosted on 11 Comments

This week’s Sunday Stamps bring us to the picturesque rural Cambodia. My feature is a First Day Cover from the Khmer Aspect series.

The FDC captures a common scene in the countryside: a farmer and his cows ploughing a rice field or transporting rice harvest and other agricultural produce. The palm trees complete the idyllic rural landscape. This simple image speaks volumes about the importance of agriculture in Cambodian life. Rice is a staple food source, and farmers play a vital role in making sure that everyone has enough to eat. (Years ago, my first job was with a Swiss International NGO working on food security in Cambodia. I met some amazing, resilient farmers (men and women) in four different provinces who were in our program. While I’m not a farming expert, I helped tell their stories and the challenges they faced.)

Something that surprised me (coming from another Asian country with carabaos, or water buffalos), was seeing cows used for ploughing. Apparently, it’s been a tradition in Cambodia for ages. Even though modern machinery exists, traditional methods are still used. Maybe it’s a simpler way of life, or maybe the farmers just haven’t gotten that fancy tractor yet.

Have you ever been to Cambodia?

Visit Sunday Stamps for more features of countryside stamps.