Nature Greetings

I went for a run near Näsijärvi lake this morning, and after about 10 minutes, I realized that I was severely out of shape. So, I slowed it down to a jog/walk. The temperature was cool and the air was light. I passed mossy rocks, large trees, the occasional stump, anchored boats, a pile of logs and signs with Finnish names I can't pronounce...

Here are some pictures from the route:
















As I was walking back, I noticed an older man standing on a large patch of rock and grass, with a clear view of the lake. I smiled, and he said something in Finnish. When he realied I didn't understand, and said, "It's so beautiful today." It was true; the thick, velvety lake was a beautiful sight. It reminds me of home to see the edge of land meet a large body of water. "Where are you from?" the man asked slowly, with clear pronunciation. "From Hawaii," I responded. "Where?" he asked again. "Havai." "Oh, Havai!" he exclaimed, with a soft, pleasant smile, "America." I nodded and said, "It's many miles away from here." We stared at the lake for about a minute. "Are you from Tampere?" I asked. "Yes, I am from Tampere. Between the Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärv lakes," he answered. I told him that Tampere is such a great place, and that it will be hard to get used to the city life in New York this summer. His eyes lit up. "Oh, New York!" he said. "My sister's daughter is in Boston." I smiled and nodded. He apologized that his English is so poor, that he studied it in school in the 50s, and didn't continue. I thought his level was not poor at all. "Do you speak Spanish?" I asked. "No, only Finnish and Swedish." That's what I expected. We turned to the lake again, admiring the ripples and cuts and different shades of blue. Realizing that I had to go home quickly to continue work on papers, I wished the man a good day. "Same to you," he said. I walked back with the sound of my footsteps, the light wind, and faraway birds.