Visiting the Neighbors



Hello friends.  Sorry about the lack of posts recently.  I spent the last weekend in awe of the extravagant lifestyle of the Russian tsars and other high officials.  Ballrooms with golden pillars.  Rooms "wallpapered" with amber.  Palaces displaying Michelangelo and da Vinci's art.  In the coming weeks, I will post more pictures from my adventures in St. Petersburg; however, now I am packing for another long weekend in western Europe with Dad!  To say I can't wait to see him is a huge understatement.  

In the Land of Salmiakki and Reallylongwords

In addition to eating salmiakki and creating reallylongwords, you can add education to the list of things that the Finns do well.  Recently, NBC Nightly News ran a special that compared American and Finnish schools.  I have included the story below because it does a nice job summarizing the main reason for why I am in Finland.  As an aspiring teacher, I really appreciate having this opportunity to learn from the best.  At some point, I will begin to post more blog entries about the differences I have noticed from my own experiences in Finnish schools.  However, I have not brought my camera to school yet, so these posts will need to wait.  Please stay tuned.
 

That White Fluffy Stuff

This morning, I woke up to the first snow fall!  Yup, October 12 and it is snowing in Joensuu.  While I might not be saying this in a few months, it was invigorating to feel the small flakes hit my cheeks as I rode Alpina (my bicycle) to school.  It snowed for most of the morning, tapering off in the afternoon.  By evening, all the white fluffy stuff had melted and only the cold temperatures serve as a reminder of today's snowfall.

These are some of the few red leaves in Joensuu. 
Yellow is a more popular autumn color around here.

Kalamarkkinoilla. At the Fish Market.

The smell of fried fish and sausages wafts through the air as an accordion player adds flavor to the quiet murmur of the crowd.  Cool winds move down the sidewalk reminding folks that winter is nearing.  Scattered about the river bank, tents offer an assortment of goods.  From cloud berry jam to cinnamon pulla, the flavors are beautiful and the sights delicious.  It is a Sunday afternoon at the fish market.  Marcella (my friend from Hong Kong) and I have come to soak up the experience.  

As we wander down the row of booths, it is clear that we have found the fish market.  Fried fish.  Canned fish.  Fire-roasted fish.  Indeed, it is a fishy occasion.

Large black cookers fry small silver fish

However, not all booths are so keen on fish.  Below you can see one vender in his alpaca sweater selling flowers to a small boy and his father.  Perhaps the flowers are for mum.  Pink or purple? J

Flowers for mum

Contrasted with the drab fall weather, the vibrant red lingonberries are a welcomed sight.  You can either buy them by the kilogram or purchase a whole bucket!

Lovely lingonberries

The next booth was among my favorite.  A small crowd has formed around an older gentleman who stands behind a table selling his chamois cloths.  While all exchanges are in Finnish, you can imagine him explaining the miraculously absorbent capacity of these yellow wonders.  It is a scene taken straight out of the Minnesota State Fair.  Made me smile.

Selling chamois

It was a delightful afternoon.  Marcella and I had our fill of free samples, and enjoyed practicing Finnish with the locals.  Valokuva, kiitos?  Picture, please?

Marcella and I stand in front of a mitten and hat
booth.  I wonder why this booth seems so popular?

A Cultured Kitchen

This past Wednesday after school, Tiina invited me over for dinner at her parent's house.  Located less than five minutes down the road from me, it was so nice to spend the evening in a warm, cozy home.  Below are a few snapshots from the evening.

Upon walking in the door, I was first met by Eemeli,
the family dog.  Though he is ten years old, Eemeli still
has the energy and playfulness of a little puppy.

With dinner cooking in the oven, Tiina and I thought it best to start making dessert.  Tiina prepared Finnish pancakes, while I made American pancakes.  As you can see from the following pictures, the two versions have distinct differences.

Compared to American pancakes,
Finnish pancake batter is quite runny.

American pancakes are prepared individually
on the stove-top, while Finnish pancakes
are baked all at once in the oven.

Sporting a bright yellow apron,
I tried my best to keep the pancakes
in the pan when flipping.

Having finished the pancake preparations, it was time to break out the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Made with homemade strawberry jam, this was Tiina's first PB&J sandwich! Tiina's mum ate half, while Tiina had the rest.  And the verdict?  "Disturbingly delicious."  As a random side note, I just read that a survey taken in 2002 found that an average American eats 1500 PB&J sandwiches before graduating from high school.

Tiina described this sweet and salty
concoction as "disturbingly delicious." J

After the peanut butter and jelly adventure, dinner was up next.  Tiina's mum prepared a delicious assortment of Finnish dishes.  Working our way from left to right in the picture below, you can see potatoes, Karelian pies, a vegetable dish, lingonberries and Karelian stew!  And what to drink, you ask?  A cold glass of piimä...buttermilk!  All in all, it was an amazing blend of flavors and textures. 

A Finnish Feast!

After dinner, the Finnish pancakes came out
of the oven. We topped them with strawberry jam
and whipped cream.  Yum, yum, yum.

The American pancakes were
served with Canadian maple syrup.

After all the evenings excitement, Eemeli
was getting sleepy.  Good night.  Hyvää Yötä.

Where Beauty Abounds

On Tuesday, most university courses were canceled for "Sports Afternoon."  During this time, students can choose to sign up for various sports activities organized around campus.  Because of the beautiful weather, my friends and I took this opportunity to explore a nearby national park.  Just an hour north of Joensuu, Koli National Park is known for its unique geology and cultural history.  "The bedrock that forms the high hills of Koli was first formed more than two billion years ago in the roots of a great ancient mountain range known as the Karelides.  Only the hardest white quartzite rocks have survived subsequent eons of erosion by wind, water and ice."*  I think from the pictures below, you can see why the Finns set this land aside as a national park.  

With spruce and birch, the hills of Koli Park
are spotted with green and gold in the autumn.

Jana shows her enthusiasm for the beautiful weather!

After the jumping photos,
we tried for more "normal" ones. J 

Meet Begüm.  She's my new friend from Turkey.

When hiking through Koli, you periodically
come across old wooden structures such as this one.

Jana and I enjoy a quick break
before heading down to the lake's shoreline.

A tree hug. J

Check out the stellar outhouses they
have in Finland!  The woodwork makes it
smell lovely inside.  How refreshing!

 

Lake Pielinen is in sight!



After wandering through mossy forests interspersed
with brief meadows, we eventually made it down to the
lake.  The sky's blue and tree's yellow reflected off
the lake's calm surface.  Beautiful.  Kaunis.

Having arrived at our destination, the group stopped
for lunch.  A fire was made and sausages were cooked. 
I thought it was curious how no s'mores were made. 
They must be on the same list as peanut butter.

After lunch, we trekked back up the hillside,
having one last look out at the lake before heading home.
Another wonderful day in Finland.

*Quote from a Koli National Park brochure.

Election Day Comes Early

Even though election day is still about a month away, I got to vote this week!  Because I am an American citizen who is temporarily residing outside of the States, an absentee ballot was sent to me.  Instead of placing my ballot in the ballot box, it appears I will be placing it in a mailbox this year.  Kind of cool, huh?

  

Cat on a Leash

Yesterday, on my ride home from school, I saw a couple taking their cat for a walk through city center.  I am not sure if this is typical in Finland, but I don't think I have ever seen someone successfully take a cat for a walk in the United States.  Curious.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

After waking up to the first frost of the year, my flatmates and I decided to start decorating for winter.  With Christmas just around the corner, paper snowflakes have begun to appear in the kitchen window and some reindeer are hanging out in Jana's room.

A Visit to the Countryside

On Wednesday evening, Tiina invited me to join her and her mom on a visit to the countryside.  Tiina's sister, Leena, lives in a quaint home that sits on a beautiful piece of land about fifteen minutes outside of the city.  I am not sure I can describe just how lovely this place is in writing, so I've put together a photo tour below.  Enjoy. J

After bypassing a tractor on a narrow gravel
road, we arrived at Leena's house. 
White wooden siding with a red roof.  Idyllic.

Tervetuloa.  This welcome sign hangs on the front door.

Leena recently got a new puppy, Mosku! 
Sooo cuuute.  With the energy of a two-year-old child,
this small ball of fur can win over any heart.

Mosku chews on a pink flower pot, while
Tiina and Repe (the older dog) get a picture. 
Did I mention that Mosku is super cute?!

After spending some quality time with the dogs,
Tiina showed me around.  To the left of the house are
several small red buildings.  The doorway Tiina is
peeking out of is the entrance to a lovely summer
bedroom (which even has a wooden rocking horse)!

The small details both inside and outside are incredible.

To the left of the bedroom is the Kanttura Kanttiini,
Old Cow Canteen.  Completely decked out with cow
curio, this room serves as a nice gathering place for
summer festivities.

Among the flying cows and spotted toys, I found a cow hat!

Just outside the cow canteen is this wooden dance floor.

  

After touring the place, I had a nice dinner with Tiina,
Leena and their mom inside the house.  Cucumber and
cheese sandwiches with a cup of tea.  Delicious.