Finland and stuff

Since I was in Finland and most Finns pretty much know what Finland is like anyway, I thought I might return to the English ways and post something that everyone regardless of the nationality can enjoy. Or enjoy might be a bit of an exaggeration, because Oxford Dictionary defines enjoy in following words: "take delight or pleasure in (an activity or occasion)". From the feedback I have received, reading this is hardly a pleasure for anyone. That is why I tend to post a lot of pictures, and roll around in a perfect complacency when I check the statistics. Over my time here I have learnt to ignore the fact that no one reads what I write, and just take what I can get. And interestingly enough, I'm quite happy with just that.

So, I did pop by in Finland and basically had time to bring gifts to everyone involved and gather new ones to take back. Against all odds, there were even few coming my way! I flew in on Friday afternoon and much to my enjoyment it was snowing. After checking in to my parents house, I enjoyed a nice little drive about in the darkness with the multi-purpose APC also known as Volkswagen Caravelle 4x4 (with 2.1 liter petrol engine instead of the stock 1.6 diesel), and with differential locks in both ends. After this, it was time to visit Heidi's traditional BDAY/Christmas party, drive them drunks in to Nightclub Ilves and receive a call from a bunch of crazy old alcoholics. Duo Rantala featuring V. Salminen and some random dude named Vellu were having some traditional 20-something -old finnish bloke night out. This contains playing NHL12 (or the latest version anyway) on a at least 40" TV, drinking beer and trade beer to vodka after some time. I got in at the point where neighbors (in a student house) had already been complaining about noise, the other PS3 controller was missing some buttons and their bottle of Finland Vodka (not Finlandia, changing two letters mean a drastic drop in quality) was getting really empty real quick. After the quick stop at the flat, and the second stop outside Ilves I was heading home. And the boys were heading towards a massive hangover. Hah.

Apart from running about, the few days were filled up with loitering and chilling with the dogs. Middle of my hectic schedule I managed to squeeze in a visit to Sara's parents and enjoy a nice little meal with in laws, while grabbing some traditional Finnish Christmas foods and few presents with me. Only thing left after this was to find out how much over the Ryanairs very flexible weights limits I was with my luggage, get to the airport and fly back to the Island. Thanks to the light packing on the inbound flight, I only went 1,7kg over the 20kg limit. But usually this means that the nice looking lady in the Ryanair luggage drop turns in to an SS-Officer and doesn't really show too much mercy. Not to men, not to women or children and let alone to the elderly.

However, she was either drunk or high on Christmas spirit because she just smiled at me and asked me to put in the "Heavy" -tag in it, which is the usual routine every time anyway... I didn't even have to leave any of the foods or presents to Finland! I managed to fit in the traditional casseroles (carrot, potato and rutabaga), 1,5kg's of elk meat, five bags of candy and Finnish mulled wine (Glögi). Among other things. So the Christmas will be very Finnish, regardless of the views from our balcony. Even though we are away from our families and have all the Finnish stuff around us, the thing that matters the most is being with the one I truly love. That is something money can't buy or Ryanair baggage lady ruin. Even though she didn't even try this time around.

Now, after all this verbal agony, it is time to feast your eyes on the visual representation of the trip. Provided by Samsung Galaxy S.

Road to home is paved with snow. And ruts. And darkness.

Niece was eager to get in to the wooden oven. While it was on.

I'm starting to feel the dog is a bit spoiled. Sleeping inside, on a chair? Seriously?

Not too snowy is it?

Traditional Tampere-Pirkkala Airport meal! Cheap as anything, beer + panini only 10,90€.

Get in to the bus!

Neighbor was eager to read the paper with eyes closed...

...until he decided to ditch the paper.

Being back in London has been full of hugging, kissing and doing nothing. Sara has been very busy with work and I have been busy chilling about. I have gotten few things done, but we still do not for example have a shower. Maybe I will try to sort something out before Christmas. If I have time. Talking about spending time, hopefully I will start working at my second job at the Somerset House skating rink soon. Just so that we would have some cash to throw around again when 2012 starts.

Next post will maybe have something about Christmas in it, stay tuned!