Picture: AAHHH!~ Me cooling off during our family sauna session.
This has been a huge first week adjusting to our new norm in Finland. Home schooling is now not just an option, but a necessity because we did not get an extra stamp on the back of the kids’ birth certificates back in the U.S. (who knew?) Without the stamp, we cannot prove the kids are ours (!) and so could not sign them up for school even if we wanted. We found this out while registering ourselves as residents in the Magistraati (registry office) in town. This is not actually a big deal as we have our own health insurance and do not mind having to leave the country in 3 months time. In fact, we already have firm plans to visit Estonia next week and will be heading to Stockholm, Sweden and St Petersburg, Russia in the Spring. So all’s well that ends well.
We have discovered that it is possible to exercise comfortably out of doors even in -12℃/10.5 ℉ weather. There’s a steep set of stairs on a ridge to climb in the park across the street. There’s also workout stations on the trails that wind in and around this beautiful area. You just have to put your spikes on to prevent slipping while you work out (that and reduce the amount you wear so as not to overheat-I know, weird isn’t it?!) The lake is now completely frozen and people are using it as a shortcut across town. We stood on it nervously today and it seemed very solid. Soon there will be a groomed skating trail around the edge, but as it’s up to 3 kilometers long, there is room on the deep layer of powder for some cross country skiing for those like me who have no experience skiing downhill, yet. Forests surround the town and so this also affords some off-roading on skis or snowshoes.
Speaking of things healthful, we have had our first experiences of sauna this week both privately in our own apartment block’s sauna during our family’s allocated time, and at a multi-family get together at someone’s home. Our private one is great and we have now been in a few times. I love the set up which includes an attached shower/wet room for showering, cooling down, and refilling the water bowl. There’s also a side room for changing. All very civilized. I’ve been opting for cooling down outside by covering myself in snow! Aaahh! So refreshing (I’m actually not kidding).
On Friday, we were invited to the lovely home of Marja and her husband Ari (I apologize if I’ve spelled your name wrong, Ari) who have been good mentors to Fulbrighters over the years. They laid on a very generous buffet of Finnish favorites including several different types of chocolates (the best have liquorice inside); sausage with melted cheese; pizza; and of course, pulla. Ari clued us into the finer points of sauna and then turned us loose in his wood-burning masterpiece of a sauna room. Of course, we were challenged to take a dip in his outside pool kept at 2℃ so as not to freeze solid. I knew it would be cold as the pool cover had almost 8 inches of snow on top. I cannot tell you how terrifying and stimulating taking an avantu (cold water swim) actually is during such cold weather. I have never experienced such cold water temperatures. However, during a sauna, it is actually a great feeling once your heart starts beating again! We all did it twice. Oh, and it doesn’t count according to the laughing Finns if you don’t totally submerge. I have a feeling though that this may be a form of hazing for new arrivals:) I jest though, as many Finns make this a part of their daily routine. Ari for one advocates it.
We have also been taking Finnish language lessons at Gloria in the multi-cultural center. The volunteers there are all so friendly and keen to help everyone learn Finnish. In addition, they also try to help everyone find and become part of a community to help them adjust to their new home country. Many of those learning Finnish are asylum seekers, or immigrants looking for a better life, adults who are there for work, students taking a semester or two of courses, or those like us who are linked to the university for a long period of time and want to learn. The materials cost just 3 Euros and last for quite a while judging by the thickness of the book and our own snail-pace progress. It’s great value, but what really stands out are the extra classes and opportunities to join other groups after class. For example, they have art and cooking classes just for women (presumably because so many have had abuse before they came to Finland) as well as craft evenings for families-all in Finnish of course. They also have government employees coming in to help with social security forms, and advisors to help with resume building, employment forms, school homework, etc. I’ve been very impressed, and a highlight has been watching a Finnish news segment on the big screen in the middle of each class. Although on the last one, which showed an interview in London, a bus rolled past with “Bollocks to Brexit” written on the side. Thankfully none of the other language learners wanted to know what it meant even though my son was giggling.
So, the initial excitement is starting to wear off and we are now adjusting to our new life away from life. Is it wrong to be craving a burrito already? Hope everyone is ok back home.