Nearing the new season (with pics and video)

The sun brought out the most beautiful, bold colors today.

People are starting to talk about how quickly time flew and how few months we have left together. It's contagious and makes me sentimental. I just try not to focus on that. Anyway, I bought a map of Finland (Suomi) from the Red Cross (Punainen Risti). It's taped to my wall with green stickers on the places I have been to and yellow stickers on places I must visit. The best time to travel is during the spring and summer, but I should go to Lapland in the winter to catch the northern lights and avoid mosquitoes and swamps.

Uzair and I have been meeting lots of people in cafes and bars and outdoors. A common question we ask is: "What is your favorite part and least favorite part of Finland?" National consensus seems to find sauna as the best cultural activity. As for the least favorite, some people have mentioned the quiet, reserved social behavior. One economics student was most critical of Finland's climate policy.

Here are some highlights from the week:

(Sunday, Feb. 26: Bus to Pyynikki and trek to Pispala)



Pyynikki tower, the beginning of our trek



Everybody gets munkki and kahvia at the bottom of the tower



View of Tampere from the top of Pyynikki



I still haven't figured out how buses can operate in this condition



Many families and individuals spend their weekends outdoors



Trekking past Pyynikki and toward Pispala



Approaching Pispala, a city district 2.5 km from Tampere's city center. It is one of most beautiful residential neighborhoods in Tampere.



Some houses in Pispala





One house really caught our attention



We walked inside to find a community house, where local artists and community members share art, make art, do meditation, converse, play with toys and eat, among other things. The art house is funded by the government.



One of the members of the art house said that they are trying to encourage people to play with toys and find ways to communicate through them.



There were decorations galore. I definitely need to go back for more...







The sun began to set as we walk back to the city center.



(Monday, Feb. 27: Walk on Nasijarvi Lake)



Walking to the lake



Walking on the lake



Cruisin'





It took us about 20 minutes to walk to the lighthouse



During the day, hot chocolate, coffee, sausages and munkki are sold at the lighthouse



We approached some peatchy areas, but were assured it was safe to walk on



Frozen lake, a desert of snow



To view a news report that some friends did, click here.