Sunday Cafe: Meet Magda

Sunday!!! It’s time for another Sunday Cafe column in which I’m happy to present you my wonderful, inspiring, charming, beautiful and smart friend Magda. Yep, she’s all of that and much more. 🙂 I thought that she would perfectly “fit the bill” of many inspiring locals I’ve interviewed and presented in my Sunday Cafe series of posts. I’m very happy to see that you’ve been loving reading and finding out about some special Helsinkians. 

I have met Magda a little bit over a year ago through a common friend and at my favourite restaurant (R.I.P. Yume) . This positive and heartwarming girl can’t leave anybody indifferent, so I have very quickly became friends with her and let her into my inner social circle. She’s as tall as myself which was another thing that made me “bond” with her easily over our “tall girl problems”. 🙂 Never-ending love for traveling, great food (esp. sushi) and some occasional shopping for latest fashion items are things I love to do and discuss about with Magda. She’s a great friend and since I can’t wait that you find out what makes her so special, I’ll let her introduce herself right about now:

What’s your name and age?

Maria Magdalena (just Magda). Such a religious and very Spanish name my father chose for me. And yes, I know the song from Sandra. I just turned 25!

Your parents are an interesting mix of warm blooded Spain and reserved Finland. Do you feel more like Spanish or Finnish and why if it is so? Or is it 50-50?

I think the best way to explain it is that in Finland I feel very Spanish and in Spain very Finnish. For example, in Spain a little shy and in Finland super social but every time I drive, my reaction to everything is in Spanish. I’m also quite strict with schedules. Well, I guess it’s 50-50.

Do you speak both languages fluently?

Yes, my finnish is stronger now since I don’t speak Spanish daily, but if I’m in spain for more than 2 weeks it all comes back quite fast.

How often do you visit Spain and where in Finland do you live?

I try to visit my home in Gran Canaria at least once a year, hopefully now I will have more chances to go more often. I’m based in Helsinki right now – just moved to Kallio! Lovelovelove this neighbourhood, but my finnish roots are from the Kemi/Keminmaa area. Rovaniemi also has a special place in my heart, since I did my bachelor studies there and really feel like that’s the place where I “grew up”.

What are the main differences between living in Spain and life in Finland?

The difference is huge. Although Finland is “the better place” (when you think about the school system, healthcare, work conditions etc.) to live, I would say that in GC, I feel lighter. Maybe it’s just the sun and constant warmth, but I feel like people are more happy and relaxed, kind to strangers – just the way they speak to you is wonderful. People know to enjoy themselves more.

What is your daytime job and what motivates you at your work?

I’ve been working as a flight attendant since this June and I love it! I’m motivated by seeing places I never even dreamed of visiting and of course, it would be impossible to enjoy without the best colleagues! I’m so fascinated with other cultures, especially food.

You’ve been a wanderlust even before becoming a flight attendant. What is your best travel memory before becoming an attendant?

Aaa, too many to choose from! I would say the year I spent in Barcelona, discovering another part of Spain. Also, there was the time I went backpacking in London and met the most wonderful group of people in the same hostel that I ended up travelling through Europe for a bit. There are some memories which I’ll never forget.

What’s your favorite trip to date since starting your flight attendant job?

I might have to say seeing the great wall in Beijing – it was just amazing. Just like in Mulan! 😀 Japan is also amazing. I can’t wait to start exploring more destinations!

What’s your life motto and why?

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” A quote by Walt Disney. It’s just so truthful and really, such an inspiring thought. It really is just about believing in yourself.

Pick 3 things which you would bring along to a desert island and explain why those.

Can I list company as a thing? Please? I’m such a social person I would go crazy without anyone to talk to! Music too, so maybe a guitar. I‘ll learn how to play… and maybe a knife for the food.

What’s your book, movie and album/song recommendation?

The Kite Runner, or really any book from Khaled Hosseini. Love them.

Interstellar is one of my favorite movies of all time.

For the song, the best one at the moment, French Montana – Unforgettable, Latin mix with J balvin!! Sooo gooood.

What are things that make you happy?

Friends, family, travelling – visiting a place I have never been to before. Videos about cute animals. Seeing people smile. Good food and wine. Music I feel like dancing to. Sun, warmth and palm trees. Chocolate.

Tell us one secret about flights and airplane rides that people have wrong thoughts/ opinions about?

Well, for me it was new information that the plane could still fly properly with one engine down. I don’t think it’s a secret though 😀

Magda’s Instagram here