BarCampGraz So back in May I attended my first 5-in-1 Camp (design, politics, knowledge, geo and i). Unfortunately I could only attend one day - the camp lasted from Friday to Sunday - but it was still worth the day trip. Interessting people, interesting subjects, lovely vegan food and and organic, sustainably produced tee.

So, I'm not even there yet but there's already an intercultural Austro-Finish hiccup.

After having browsed for ages and ages on quite a few platforms for temporary accommodation, I'd finally made out a tiny studio which seemed to just suit my needs.

The prospective landlady's response was promising. My hopes high. That was in early June. It was quite busy at work so I didn't really have the time to follow up. Yet, come end of June it came to me that I was to head north in barely 1.5 months ... and that I hadn't got any sort of confirmed flat yet. So, I got a wee bit nervous. Then a mail from the lady: Would I like to take the studio? Like? Yes, of course! Please let me know how to proceed!

The next 2 weeks silence.

Ok, I'd already read in my first book on Finland that they're usually cut anything superfluous out of their communication. I can live with that. But she'd actually asked me a question and I had replied but hadn't received any sort of confirmation...

So I got even more nervous. With work and all the preparation that still needed to be done I didn't want to start from scratch with my flat search. So, I sent another mail.

Silence.

So I grew more and more tense. Started to approach everybody I knew who had the slightest connection with saunaland whether they could help me on that matter.

Still nothing. I got almost a bit scared.

Either she had received a better offer, i.e. someone wanting to stay for much longer. Or - and that was my secret hope - it was merely a question of the Finish summer frenzy.

Last week I couldn't bare the suspension anymore and called. I got hold of her - guess where - right, in the middle of her summer holiday.

Everything was fine. Next day I got a mail including the memorable words "one should always confirm" ;-)