"Ookko nää Oulusta, pelkääkkö nää polliisia"

I will return to writing about Paraguay later on, but now, let's talk about the North and the South of Finland.

I was born in Tyrnävä, 30 km South of Oulu. My whole extended family is from that region. My grandparents (on my fathers side) were farmers in Utajärvi and are now retired. My fathers sisters live in Oulu and Kempele. The only exception is my aunt Tanja, who lives in Helsinki and is a lot like me. My fathers aunts, uncles and cousins all live in Oulu region.

My mom is the same. Her parents have already passed on, but her side of the family is also from Oulu region. All of my mothers siblings live either in Vaala, Jaalanka and Kiveslahti and Oulu. I spent a big part of my childhood in those surrounding, regardless were we lived at the time.

Three years ago, my oldest brother felt that he needs go back to his roots. So he moved to Muhos with his family (wife and now four children). He has never seemed happier and more stable in his life. This is totally understandable. Even thought he also moved from city to city a lot with rest of us, there has always been a a little Northerner inside him. I glad he chose to go back.

I know where I'm from but I still don't think I'm from anywhere. It's still funny that, when I visit Oulu region my dialect immediately turns to Oulu-dialect. It's actually rather funny. Same thing happens with my father.

Now that I've lived in the South (Lahti, Turku, Espoo, Helsinki), I feel like I have good idea about the differences between the North and South of Finland.

NORTH

- Hard, physical work is appreciated
- They are really proud of their dialect
- Food consists a lot of fish, reindeer and moose (at least in my grandmothers cuisine).
- Things seem simpler
- People talk less, but heavens if you don't greet a fellow towns person.
- Distances are long, therefore people like to stay home and do their own thing. 
- Farming is really common.
-They value simple things and don't feel the need to prove anything to anybody
- They have the essence of Finland
- If you are fluent in Swedish, thats cool, but there aren't that many people who speak Swedish (only by the coast).
- They appreciate their nature and are more outdoorsy.

SOUTH

 -More European way of life and globally oriented people
- Different cultures collide, therefore the Southeners get to be involved and absorb other cultures and languages
- Appearances and behaviour are more important
- If you don't speak English you are considered uneducated.
- It's a huge plus if you are fluent in Swedish (for example when you are applying to for job)
- A lot of people don't own cars due to short distances
- People value recycling, animal and human rights and sustainable development
- It's more common not to greet people or talk to them if you don't know them (as opposed to the North)
- Sporting is mainly done inside rather than outside

This is just what came to my mind. Feel free to comment if you don't agree :D

-Johanna