Hei Hei Finland!!

Organic and Innovative. 

Those are the two words I would choose to describe the marvelous, efficient country of Finland. I absolutely loved it there. The people are really into health and wellness and simple functional designs. With a backdrop of softly falling snow, the stay was magical, we felt as we had entered Narnia!

We arrived in Helsinki, were every 1 in 4 Fins reside, and stepped off the airport bus to a giant skating rink in the center of town. 

Literally rolling down the streets of Helsinki, taking in the fantastic structures

After arriving at our hostel, Tiff and I wasted no time in exploring what Helsinki had to offer. We decided to take the ferry to the Island of Suomenlinna. As of 1991 this Island was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserved for future generations as an example of the European military architecture of its time. Finland originally belonged to Sweden, then Russia before becoming a separate country. The Finnish don't have much to say about those from either country. I think the exploration would have been a tad better in the daylight, and without the ice pellets impeding our vision. Needless to say, we had an adventure. 

You know you are a tourist when...you gleefully construct a miniature snowman named "Finny." It's amazing Finny got constructed at all, as we were all in hysterical giggles this night. Perhaps the air is a tad thinner here?

This was an interdenominational church built by Russia for the people of Finland. At least that was the story I got from the girls who went on the 3 hour walking tour... Needless to say, impressive.

Believe it or not, this is another church. It's the "silent church." We should have looked at a picture before setting out to find it. We literally walked circles around it. I don't completely understand the "silent" component. How does any preaching happen? 

We did do some academic work, as this was the purpose of the trip - to be integrated with the Finnish students to learn about the value of Home in occupational therapy. We got quite used to trudging to the University in our snow boots and full winter gear. We learned we had to factor in an extra 5 minutes for the getting ready process. This factor we seemed to slowly forget as the week went on and the last three days we could be seen frantically sprinting to school. Ironically enough, one of the days was actually universal "run to work day."

And to think, he only parked here this morning... The Finnish are inspiring folks. They run, cycle, skate pretty much all year round. Our Finnish classmates showed us their special winter tires then put on their bikes for cycling in the snow. 

Everything is more expensive in Helsinki. With a beer at a restaurant easily costing you 8 euros, and groceries priced equally as high, we were thrilled when we discovered we could have the 2.60 euro student discount at the cafeteria. You can pile your plate as high as you want with fresh bread, salad, soup, main course and choice of two drinks. This event was in my top 3 favorite memories of the week!

An example of the the delicious meals we enjoyed. The Finnish were confused about our excitement over their food. When we explained in England you can buy chips (fries) and beans or baked potato for lunch - salad is extra, they replied "but how does that promote healthy eating?" Good question. The Finnish have got things figured out. 

We all met up in a local pub after ice skating one day. The happy gentleman holding the cards is our new magician friend.  

 This is the oldest building in Jyvaskyla the town we were staying in. 

This photo got sent around one day when we had an audio lecture. It just made me chuckle. Finnish, English or Canadian, the smart phone still wins.  

A local church

The Finnish know a thing or two about occupational balance. The first day we took our shoes off at the door and got to know each other through a creative movement exercise. It was a fantastic icebreaker, and we are all closer for it!

This lecture we got to sit on giant beanbags!

This, if you can read the sign, is a sauna. The Finnish are huge into sauna's and it is common to have one built in your house. This was a traditional sauna in the sense that you sit in the heat and then wander outside to jump in the ice lake, and repeat. Makes you feel alive!

Locks of love are not native to Italy or Paris, love also is secured in these locks here. What is not secured is the children. Let me explain. It is not uncommon to see a baby sleeping in a baby buggy outside of a shop. The parents leave their children to sleep outside, instead of waking them with the heat of the indoors. Social services would not go for that back in Canada.  

 

One of my personal favorite traveling experiences is trying out local coffee shops. I have never had a cup of coffee than what I had in Finland. To be specific, on the Finn-air flight to Finland, but the country itself did not disappoint. Gives the strong Holland coffee a run for it's money!

Alas, it was time to venture home, back to reality in England. Just for fun I've included something I saw on Facebook 

These are part of the 22 things you will NEVER hear a Finnish Person say:

2. “Aren’t free school lunches delicious?”

3. “Please, tell me more about your friends from Sweden.”

5. “When will this summer end? It feels like it’s going on forever.”

8. “It’s a bit warm out here, I’m just going to take another layer off.”

9. “I tell you what: Why don’t we get another bottle of this reasonably-priced wine?”

11. “I just wish winter was a bit longer. It always seems to just fly by.”