Tangon takaa is a podcast series done in collaboration with Radio Helsinki and Pelago Bicycles. Fedja Kamari and I had a chat in Finland in April 2018 about cycling in South America. Listen to the podcast here (in Finnish). Now me and Madalina are already in Nicaragua, ready to reach Honduras in a few days.

Featured picture: ©Pelago Bicycles/Radio Helsinki

In February 2017, I was asked to participate in the Paraguayan TV show Mandiorama. Now, six months after the episode Viajeros (Travellers) came out, I finally got to see it myself! And just in case you all also want to see what me and fellow traveller, Favio Patiño were asked by Patrick Altamirano, here you go with our spectacular (!) TV appearance (in Spanish).

Paraguay is definitely not a country known for its gender equality. Quite on the contrary. It is speculated that due to historical happenings, it’s one of the most chauvinistic countries in whole South America. Why? Because during the War of Triple Alliance (1864–1870), most Paraguayan men were killed and the country was left with a nearly all-female population who would do anything to win over the hearts of the few remaining men.

On the day I left Paraguay, the Red Paraguaya de Comunicacion (RPC) conducted an interview with me on my whole trip (so far) and filmed me step onto the ferry crossing over to Argentina (so, no turning back!). Here’s the 15-minute documentary journalist and producer Diego Marini compiled for his Invisibles series! Enjoy!

Vía Crucis Formoseño is a pilgrimage route in Formosa, Argentina. The 512km-long stretch used to be done only by car, until one local lady decided to give it a try on a bicycle. In year 2008, Celia Insaurralde convinced three of her friends to go with her and so began the story of the Cicloperegrinos – pilgrims on bicycles. 

I find anthropology fascinating. To study of human life in different societies is one of the things I most love to do. So, imagine my double-layered enthusiasm when taken to an introductory class of anthropology and social systems in a culture, which already in itself is somewhat new to me. In other words, getting the opportunity to observe people observing people. Yep, that’s what I’ve done in Formosa, Northern Argentina,

Yesterday I was invited to give a radio interview for ABC Cardinal 730AM in Asunción, Paraguay. This was due to the Honorary Consulate of Finland in Paraguay, Carlos Schauman, who was happy about finally having a Finn in town to take care of (believe me, this does not happen all that often!). After our first meeting some days ago, Mr. Schauman contacted the local newspaper which then spontaneously contacted the radio to get me on air.

Loretta Henderson is a woman who started the Women On Wheels (WOW) community for and about solo female cyclists many years ago. She has been cycling around the world for quite a while now, and FINALLY she has written an ebook about 100 other women doing the same. I’m also in it, so be sure to buy it if you want to see what rookie-cyclist-Sissi had to say while sitting happily in a warm room in the center of Buenos Aires, Argentina!