Christmas in Nurmes
Man. I can’t believe how quick time flies. It is already Tuesday. I have been in Finland for Four days. The first three days I have been in Helsinki kind of waiting around for my bags. My bags with my clothes came but my suitcase with all the Christmas presents are still MIA.
I love Helsinki. The best description of this City is everything good about San Francisco. It has a very similar feel. Everyone is progressive. The public transportation is awesome, The architecture is victorian apartments, but there are no homeless people and nasty porn theaters everywhere like SF. But to be honest i barely went outside. Cause it is freezing and dark right now. But the city is blanketed in snow and it is beautiful.
Sunday I went to Church with Eeva and after that we hung out with her sister Hanna and husband Juho. Then Eeva put on a popping Christmas party. Most of her close friends came and it was really nice to meet everyone and see how great all her friends are.
Monday Eeva had to go to work, so I hung out with Paivai, Eeva’s Sis. We went on a jog through the snow at 10am which means we ran in the dark. Then Paivai made me spagetti for lunch and we went to go visit Grandma for a little kahvi ja pipari (Coffe and ginger bread). This whole week i have been studying the Finnish language. I promised Eeva that if she becomes a good surfer then i will become fluent in her mother tongue. But it will be tough. That evening when Eeva got home we all packed up and left to Nurmes. A town in the country 60 km from the Russian boarder where Eeva’s parents and 3 younger sisters live. Here we will spend christmas.
Tuesday morning I awoke and was awestruk by the natural beauty of the Finnish countryside. I am staying in a finnish cabin next to a frozen lake surounded by forest. Like narnia under the witches curse, it is cold (-15C), dark, and white. There is less light here than in Helsinki. Today (Tuesday) I have been hanging with Eeva’s parents and sisters which is an experience in itself. I am the only boy. Other than Kary the father and seven sisters and mother. They are all so unique and sweet. Especially the youngest. Emelia (empu) who is 9. But tomorrow, Eeva’s brother (Antti) is coming with his girlfriend. We will be able to have a sauna and an ice water swim at the local spa. Maybe I will challenge him to wrestling match if he is not too big. I recently learned that Kari, Eeva’s dad is head pastor of the pentecostle church here, (just with out the title) and that he has planned for me to speak the day after Christmas. I am honored. And now I know that Eeva is a Finnish PK. So, the adventures are just beginning.
