Jumping into the Cold, Fresh Lake

I've never walked so much in my life. Walking to school, to the grocery store, to the city center. We usually have destinations, but I've given myself a few days to wander. Wandering down the cobbled streets, past cathedrals and lakes and birch trees. And my thoughts wander along, wondering what makes Tampere so special and charming, silent and reserved. I've never heard a car honk or people arguing loudly in the street. "People don't know how to small talk," they say. In bars, airports and banks, I feel an uncomfortable silence. It is something I didn't experience in Hawaii, Spain, Oregon and Israel. Here, things are done right, rules are obeyed and respect is given.

I'm living in Tampere. This will be my senior year of college abroad. For the summer, I'm taking a beginners Finnish course with 25 other international students. Besides four Americans, there are people from South Korea, China, Russia, Iran, Brazil. So far we have visited Pyynikki (the highest gravel ridge in the world), Museum Centre Vapriikki and Viikinssari Island (trying out the sauna and jumping in the lake). Finnish is a challenging language, but it's fun to try out. I'm excited to be able to hold a conversation in it.