Article from the Helsinki Times

Trevor Corson has made several visits to Finland and writes about his firsthand experience of Finland’s definition of luxury.

“Finland seemed even duller on my next visit in July. The weather was glorious, but Helsinki felt like a ghost town. I learned that most Finns take a five-week summer vacation, and that many of them disappear for the entire time to tiny, bare-bones cottages in the woods. Curious, I wrangled an invitation to visit one of these secluded cabins. It was meticulously cared for, but lacked any creature comforts. I quickly realized that there was nothing to do and no one to see.

After a couple of days at the cabin I was a convert. It was marvelously relaxing, and I realized the Finns were on to something – a form of luxury that had little to do with high-end products, the quest to acquire them, or the need to show them off. While some Finns pursue the material trappings of success, most seem to feel that the pleasures of time and solitude are more precious.

As I spent more time in Helsinki, my own notion of the luxuries available in Finland expanded to include more than just the quiet pleasures of a cabin getaway. Finnish cities are filled with universally well-maintained and high-quality schools, hospitals, buses, trains, and parks. While most Finns might never be able to own a well-appointed SUV or a big house, they value the less-tangible assets they do have, which add up to quality of life and peace of mind.”

http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/finland-in-the-world-press/6148-what-finland-can-teach-america-about-true-luxury.html

Sitsit 27th Feb

I survived my first sitsit party!

Sitsit is a traditional student sit down meal, where singing and drinking is the order of the day! I was told that usually, participants dress up formally.. but the one i attended last night was different that it was a Sitsit in overalls. We were allocated seats (alternate guy girl) and a couple of Emcees presided over the event. Their responsibility is to uphold traditions and initiate songs.

3 drinks before us.. A can of Perry Cider, A Cup of water, and a shot of Vodka.
The white thing is a song book.. with almost 60 songs =)

Group singing is a big big part of sitsit. In fact, the girl sitting next to me tells me that if you get to eat warm food during a sitsit, it means that you're not singing enough, and that it's a bad party..

He's not the waiter.. hes the emcee! Who also happens to be the President of Prodeko (our guild).. He's a really good loud singer.. =)

So what do we sing?

Finnish, Swedish and English songs! The songs are really fun and some are really vulgar and crude.. but the main idea is that after each song we drink.. For guys, we toast to the girl our right, then to the one on our left, then finally to the girl in front. So it was interesting that something so formal and rowdy can coexist so peacefully.

There's a song like.. "In France they drink wine.. in Germany they drink beer.. in Russia they drink Vodka.. and in Finland we drink everything" .. well said.. and to a nice melody as well!

Another was more familiar and in English.. goes to the tune of Glory Glory Hallelujah.. but its about "somebody's brother jumping out of the plane without a parachute.. and he ain't gonna jump no more.. glory glory wat a hell of a way to die" (?!?!)

The group in front performing a speksi (unsure about spelling).. a skit of sorts..
I like the fact that Finns are so spontaneous and ridiculous.. the audience can shout out requests and the performers have to react accordingly..(often to a large reaction from the crowd) During 1 skit someone shouted something and they immediately changed from speaking Finnish to English =)

People standing on their chairs to drink.. This song called "Drink up" or something in Finnish.. Its a long song.. where the Fuksi of a particular year all stand on their chairs and finish the drink in their hands.. Fuksi means freshmen.. So i stood on my chair when the year 06 came about. =)

In all.. i drank a cup of white wine.. 1 can of Cider.. 2 shots of Vodka and 1 short of something called Jallu (which is something like whisky i think).. i think my alcohol tolerance is increasing..

The guy on the left is Henri, the guy who takes care of international students in our guild

Winner of the skits.. and the prize.. 2 bottles of wine.. and they finish it on the spot.. whats new?

It was a really cool experience.. if you take away the fact that the Finns can get quite high and rowdy after they drink.. The singing and dancing was really interesting.. And since i can't understand Finnish nor Swedish.. my favourite song has to be in English..

Presenting to you my favourite song:

I love it coz its so random and funny!

Lyrics goes something like this:
Once upon a time in a small town in Germany
There was a shoe maker
Schumacher was his name

And he can play the... Flute.. Violin.. Piano.. Drums.. Bass Guitar.. No more..
I'm so gonna use this in the next UMAD =)

Lapland (14th Feb)

We packed our things and said goodbye to Vasatokka to make our way to Saariselka, a ski resort area of some sort. I was really excited coz i have never done downhill skiing before.. but i was particularly psyched coz i have always wanted to ride a a dog sled. =)

We arrived and immediately got into this hut where they gave us these huge and bulky overalls to wear.. and then we were whisked off in a green SUV to the husky area..

10 mins of instructions and we're ready to meet the dogs!

The huskies were all so excited and cool.. u know i love dogs.. but seeing about 40 huskies barking together was just unbelievable..

Wei Sing is afraid of dogs so she stuck with (behind) me.. but i'm glad to say she touched one later on in the day!

Saying thanks to all my dogs.. the one i am patting above (the black one).. i call her Kopi O.. coz shes so black! Shes the leader of the pack.. =)

This picture above is my favourite.. she wanted to kiss me i think.. shes so beautiful!

After the wonderful husky experience we went up the bus.. brought us to the ski hills.. took so so long to put on the painful ski shoes and made our way to the beginner slopes.. its not that low once u get up! And i'm proud to say i managed to use to ski lift to get to the top only on my 3rd attempt! haha.. it isn't that easy k.. its not the sit down kind.. but the kind tat pulls u up when u kiap the thing between ur thighs..

Only Wei Sing and i in the photo coz the rest can't figure out how to get to the top of the slope yet.. hehe

After 2 spectacular tumbles.. and advice from a nice old lady from UK.. i finally managed to get the hang of it.. Wheeeee!... i can ski!! =).. thanks Pei joo for for being my cameraman..

The end of the ski-ing also signals the end of my lapland trip.. so we hopped back on the bus for our 16 hr bus ride back to Helsinki.. with fond memories of the Northern wilderness.. =) I love Lapland!

* oh by the way.. i took the "sleeping"-in-the-bus-picture by myself.. =) *

Lapland (13th Feb)

We were scheduled for a later slot.. so we could sleep in a little.. Then we gathered at the reception to gear up for Cross-Country Ski-ing! I had no idea was X-country ski-ing was about coz all i knew about ski-ing was the downhill kind..

Basically X-country Ski-ing means going everywhere in skis instead of walking! Its a cool way of moving about in the winter you can go must faster than walking in the snow, and it also allows u to cover different terrain..

Posing only la.. i was stationary.. =)

So after half an hour or so of practicing the different techniques.. we were good to go! We followed Mikka, and she led us on a really nice trail.. in the photo above we were actually on the frozen lake. She also took occasional stops to tell us more about the environment.. like when we encounter Arctic Fox and rabbit trails.. =) Also telling us a bit about the vegetation etc.. I love these nature "walks"..

She also told us about this couple who stays on an island in the lake. They own 25 dogs! They travel by boat in the summer and skis/snowmobile in the winter across the lake to the mainland.. where their car is parked.. But they are are stuck there for a couple of months every year because the ice is too thin to ski on and too thick to row your boat.. =) Some smart Spanish guy asked: "how does he earn money?".. and Mikka replied.. "he works in the summer.... but coz of the system in Finland.. he gets money even if he doesn't work.."



X-country skis are longer and narrower than downhill skis.. and it really is harder than it looks! Started to sweat after a while.. and had to fall a couple of times before getting the rhythm..


It was an amazing way to appreciate the natural environment around us.. the trees and all.. it was beautiful! =)


And so we got back to Vasatokka.. returned our gear and jumped on the bus for the 2nd half of the day.. which was the trip to Inari Reindeer Farm!


We got to feed and take pictures with reindeer.. they weren't as cute as i had imagined them to be actually.. haha.. they all look a little crazy.. with huge eyes popping out.. =) .. Oh ya.. I only brought my woollen gloves.. so i borrowed Ri Hao's left glove.. i'm so glad i did.. coz Reindeers drool.. and they lick vigorously when you try to feed them haha.. sorry Ri Hao..



We also got to ride a reindeer sled! In fact.. we all passed the test and i got a reindeer driving license valid for 5 years..

Riding into the sunset..

After the ride we went indoors where a nice Sami lady introduced to us a little about Sami culture and lifestyle.. We also had the opportunity to see the tools and handicraft that Sami people made.. I suspect its all a commercial ploy.. coz after that they ushered us to the gift shop.. haha..


Being a kiam siap Singaporean i just walked in to take a look.. haha.. and then returned to what is free.. which is to practice my Lasso throwing! the Sami man demonstrating the use of the Lasso was so good.. (he owns the farm).. he managed to "catch" me while i was running away from him.. haha.. What to do.. he needs to catch his reindeer la.. =)


Picture above shows Katya our guide preparing reindeer meat for us to try.. So we were feeding/touching/riding a reindeer a few hours ago.. and then we were eating reindeer..The strange thing is that i didn't feel any sense of guilt whatsover.. haha..


Doesn't look really appetising in the picture.. but it goes quite well with the Lingonberry Jam.. think Ikea meatball jam.. Reindeer tastes like something in between beef and venison.. =)

But again.. the story isn't over yet.. Thank God.. i was walking back to my cabin when i saw something in the sky.. i wasn't sure what i was.. but i got really excited and ran in to call the rest out.. Wei Sing, Leigh and Pei Joo responded to my calls and we ran down to the lake again.. and there i saw it.. For sure.. Feb the 13th isn't that unlucky after all.. Oooh Whoo!!

Still faint.. but with a hint of green.. changing shapes.. brightening and dimming.. changing it's shape again.. We just jumped up and down and cheered.. I'm so so sorry my camera can't capture anything besides this..

The poles were markers for the side of the lake..

One of my life goals have been accomplished.. and i've come to appreciate the fact that you can't go chasing the Northern Lights.. to me.. this phenomenon is so special.. all you can do is just go there and wait.. The Lights choose you.. not the other way round.. Thank you Lord.. for showing me a little hint of your glory!

Lapland (12th Feb)

The third day in Lapland we signed up for trip into Norway and to the Arctic Ocean.. It was a long bus ride but my goodness its the most scenic bus journey ever..

Something i always knew.. that the things that are made by the hands of man may be beautiful.. but they can never be compared to those created by the all creative God. =)

We stopped by at this place called Utjoski Village on our way to Norway. The main thing about this village is the church on the hill. Kirsi told us that people used to come to church here only 4 times a year.. Easter, Christmas etc.. and these were also times when people came to meet one another and exchange goods and eat and celebrate around the fire. So these small houses are also called church cottages.




It was a stinging -23 degrees here at Utjoski.. and plus the wind chill i think its abt -30. The exposed skin feels like its being burnt with hot steam.. It's the coldest temperature that i've experienced.. sprinted up the bus after smiling for the picture above.. and it took 15 mins before my face could feel anything again. Ouch

And so Artti (i think thats how it's spelled) our bus driver took us further north until we reached Nuorgam, the northernmost point in Finland.. and there we crossed over to Norway! =) A very scenic drive along the ocean led us to the village of Bugoynes.. which is also where we'll start turning back to Finland..

The tiny village is so so so pretty and i just felt so blessed to be there.. taking pictures and exploring.. here are some pictures of the beach. Oh and did i mention that this IS the ARCTIC OCEAN?

The one on the right with hands out is me! (i'm not gonna show u all the other photos.. super unglam) I swam in the arctic ocean! =) I can now say i've touched the waters of both the Arctic and Antarctic.. remember Juls? in Albany? =)

Enjoy the photos of the beach..

Seaside houses.. i mean Ocean-side

Ice crystals forming on the beach

We left the Bugoynes and took a different route back to Vasatokka.. stopping up this river. Kirsi told us that in summer you can see salmon jumping up stream to spawn. She also told us that salmon here don't die after they spawn and can do this several times in their lifetime. And apparently bears here don't know how to catch salmon unlike those you see on national geographic. Only North American bears? haha

Border between Norway and Finland.. i was in 2 places at the same time again! (Taken from the bus)

Grill party in the Teepee at night.

But the night wasn't about to be over just yet.. because Leigh, Wei Sing and I decided to layer on all the warm clothes we have.. to camp at the lake to see Northern Lights! we even brought chairs and coffee haha


And yes i saw the Northern Lights.. the 12th of Feb.. but it was super super faint.. i couldn't capture it.. If i didn't see it again on another night i would have said i saw it.. =)