So when you come to Tampere the university assigns you to a Finnish tutor, who is just a student in the same field of study as you. My Finnish tutor, his name is Ollie, just so happen to have a cabin right next to the lake in Ruovesi, which is about 2 hours out of Tampere. It was a 14 person crew, 11 Germans, 2 Finnish tutors, and one lone American. Since there was only two cars we all couldn't fit, so some of us had to take a bus there and back, but of course the bus didnt go straight to his cabin so they had to come chauffeur us from the bus station to the cabin. The cabin was about an hour into the woods and the last one on the dirt road. The cabin was very impressive, apparently his dad built it himself, and the guest room/sauna. It was right next to the lake, just a very beautiful sight. It was calming to sit on the front porch and stare into the lake. Everything seemed so authentic, since it was built by hand. The tutors provided us with a traditional Finnish meal, which consisted of salmon, potatoes, mixed salad, and this pastry which is a vey authentic Finnish food. It had the texture of a crispy biscuit, but in the middle was mashed rice covered with cheese. Very tasty. Also enjoying one of Finland's finest beer Lapin Kulta, which Ollie later reffered to as reindeer piss...Anyways after that bonding session we hit the sauna of course, you start it up with a fire that heats up the coals, very old school. The sauna felt good, and after we enjoyed a dip in the nice and cold lake, just as the Finns do. It was nice standing in the lake, couldn't feel anything from my knees down, no wind, and a cloudless sky so you could stare at the stars. A moment I will never forget obviously. After a couple sauna sessions we washed up and headed out to the fire pit. We cooked some pancakes over the fire and enjoyed it with some jam. After the fire went out we headed inside where we continued the night for a little bit with some king's cup. By that time I didn't need to play, but I participated anyways. Right after the game ended it was pretty late, so everyone headed off to bed. It was a very easy sleep for me right into a rough morning. No breakfast for me, I feel like crap. Around 1 o'clock Ollie taught me a couple others a Finnish game called "molkey." Pretty entertaining game, one similar to horse shoes, but not really. Around 4 we left and said our last goodbye's to the Finnish wilderness. Made it home where I was able to sleep for 10 straight hours.
This trip was definitley incredible. I could of never imagined receiving this experience when I left for Finland. A priceless moment in my life. I mean when is the next time I will be with 11 Germans and 2 Finns at a log cabin in the Finland woodlands? Yeah probably never again, assuming we don't go back.
I was pretty excited for this trip, mainly cause it was going to be my first time traveling in Europe. Also, Estonia intrigues me because it's a small country no one even thinks about going. Plus I get to be the only one that said he has been to Estonia, that I know of at least. So we decide to take the early train from Tampere to Helsinki at 7 am that way we could hop on the ferry to Tallinn at 10 am and be there the whole day. So I get up at 6 with anticipation, shower, eat, and have some coffee. Then my friends and I take the short bus trip to the train station and arrive there at about 6:45. Since the main ticket area isn't open yet so we go to the manual machine to purchase tickets. There are a couple problems though, one is that everything is in Finnish, two we have to pay with a Finnish card. Luckily one of my friends had gotten his Finnish bank card already and we borrowed a local Finn to help us with our purchase. We get our tickets and book it to the train. The train ride was smooth and I got to know my Canadian friend a little bit better. He teaches me all of Canadian history within an hour and half train ride, with time to spare. We get off the train and now were in Helsinki. The downtown area is a lot bigger then Tampere, its very beautiful and clean of course. We take the walk from the train station to the harbor and its about a 20 min walk. We get to see some sites, especially around the harbor. I definitely need to go back and explore the city more. We arrive at the harbor and purchase our ferry tickets. Once were on the ferry and moving out to Estonia it's a very cool sight. Being able to see Helsinki from the water was very cool, and traveling across the Baltic sea was quite a sight. The feery wasrather fast and bumpy, which made one of my friends sea sick..But she was able to make to Estonia without puking, Once we arrived to Estonia we toured the city while looking for our hostel. One thing was apparent about old town Tallinn, which was the architecture of the buildings. Very medieval, some buildings you could tell use to be old castles. We found our hostel and it was not that bad. It was the one recommended to stay at, and I would stay there again (assuming I would want to come back). We got something to eat at apparently the oldest bar in the town. It was downstairs and had a good atmosphere. I got bavarian beef stew over onion potatoes it was very good, oh and a beer called Cobra, imported all the way from India. Aftert that successful meal we went sight seeing a little bit more. There were a lot of churches and farmers markets. We met up with some friends at the only Mcdonald's in town, nice common meeting spot. We got to know what everyone was doing and made plans for the night. It was nice coming to a place that was a lot cheaper than in Finland. Also it was nice getting away from the Euro (they have the Estonian Kroon). This comes to my main story of my trip. We go back to the same bar that we ate at first and got a round ofKatu beers. As I was finishing mine I was walking to the men's restroom brining my mug along. I was minding my own business while this Estonian man comes and yells at me in Estonian I'm assuming. It seemed like he tried to yell the samething in 3 different languages. I had no clue what he was saying, so I responded with "I dont understand you!" He leaves and I go wash my hands, just so happens he comes back and yells at me again. At this point I have no idea what he wants, but he finally figures out I only understand English. He says, "I don't like it that you bring your mug in here!" I respond with "I'm sorry..." He leaves I go back out to my buddies and they asked me about the guy, I told them the story, and then apparently that guy comes over to chat. He puts his hand on my shoulder and starts talking to my Canadian friend. "The only thing I know about Canada is Wayne Gretzsky and Montreal," he says. He ends up making small talk and then says "I'm going to get you guys a round of beers." He keeps his end of the deal and we get a picture with him. Only in Estonia. That night was very fun but the morning was not. We decided to wake up early to get the free breakfast they provided and so I had some nice cereal with no milk. They refused to give us any milk since breakfast was technically over in 5 mins. We took the 4pm ferry back to Helsinki, and made it back to Tampere by 11pm. Had a nice lounging Monday morning before I had class at 12.
One thing I forgot to mention that its common to buy a lot of hard alcohol in Estonia and bring back to Finland, because its a lot cheaper. So my 6 friends brought back 40 bottles. I contributed 4 more, but I plan to bring back a couple to the States. Some nice Estonian liquor will make nice gifts.
Well I will start off saying it has been awesome being here. The weather has been beautiful, and it hasn't rain that much at all. The city of Tampere is very clean it's very rare to see garbage on the floor. All the people don't seem outgoing and don't wear flashy clothing. The standard of living is pretty high here, so everything is pretty expensive. No one will make eye contact with you while walking down the street. Also, they dress with a typical European fashion sense, which is tight and dressed up clothing. There is not one Starbucks here in Finland, which sucks because every coffee shop only serves the tiniest portions of coffee. The coffee isn't very good either. But the pastries and baked goods must be the M/O because those are to die for, simply delicious. The scenery is stunning here. The city is in between two massive lakes, Näsijärvi and Pyhajarvi. I live right next lake Nasijarvi and its breath-taking. It's so nice to go there to hink and read, especially while the sun is going down. I have taken so many pictures of that lake. The main road Hameenkatu is where everything is. The main shops, pubs, markets, train station, etc. It's fun to go explore the town and find different things I didn't know were there. Suchas the indoor Tampereen market, it has baked goods, coffee shops, meat counters, fresh produce, all up and down three aisles inside. Another thing I have found out is that this child's book called "Moomi Valley" is very popular in Europe, the author was from a town outside of Tampere. He is like the Dr.Seus of Europe and he happens to be a Finn. Another weird thing I found out about Finland is that they pay everything through the bank. If you pay bills, or fees to the university, you pay them at the bank and not through the university. In fact, the university doesn't even touch the money. The companies all have invoices and if someone wants to pay a bill or a fee they pay at the bank and give the correct invoice they are paying it to. Bizarre.
Well the stories will keep coming, as soon as I put forth the effort to write.
I know I have started my blog late, so I can catch you up on some stories. First, the bad start to my trip.. It was the morning of the take-off to Finland, and I was anxious and overwhelmed at the time. My first time being away from home for an extended period of time longer than two weeks. Also, the first time traveling alone on a plane. So right when I get there after getting my tickets my parents and I notice that my flight has been delayed by 2 hours. I find out later it was because that the pilot got sick, so they had to fly one up from San Francisco.. Anyways, I only had 2 and half hours to originally to transfer planes in Chicago. Needless to say I had no faith I would make it time for that transfer, so I went up to the lady working at the desk if I had a chance to make it to my connecting flight? The Asian lady responded, "of course, of course. Just in case I make you a different itinerary." Now that I knew I had a backup plan I felt a little more comfortable if I didn't make it. When I looked at my ticket I grew depressed, mainly cause I had a layover of 8 and half hours in the Frankfurt airport. This gave me extra motivation to run to the next terminal and try and make my flight. As I land in Chicago, I had approximately 25 minutes to make it off the plane, through security, and across the airport to the international terminal. So as I leave out the door I'm booking it, while carrying my carry-on bag and having my backpack on. Really not knowing where I'm going, and just running I asked for directions. The man said that I need to go to the tram that is in the other direction I have been running to make it to my terminal. This discouraged me, but I still had 10 mins. I had faith in my speed and endurance, no matter if I was tired already. I find the tram, go up the stairs, wait for the tram, as I grow weary of how much time I had left (5 mins). Tram arrives I hop on, wait, and wait, and now I'm at the right terminal. Not much of a line for security, I kick off my shoes, take out my laptop, hope for a plane delay. I get through security, gather all of my things, and start booking it again. As I arrive to the terminal, it was empty, and my heart sunk. Not only cause I missed my flight, I was tired and sweaty, know I have a lay-over of 8 and a half hours in Frankfurt, and I had to pee. I just sat there in defeat for 10 mins, mostly to gather my breath. For me, then was to find my next terminal, and play the waiting game. I had about 2 hours before this next flight, so I just went right away to it. I have to take the tram again because it ends up being right next to the terminal I originally flew into to. So I have to go through security, and there is a massive line. Get to the security lady show her my ticket, and she said "oh this is only a reservation for the ticket. You need to go to the front desk and have them print you one out." Just effing great! I officially hated my time, so far traveling at this point. Although, the security lady did say I could just come back to her once I recieved my ticket and skip the line. So it was another 20 mins waiting in lin to get the ticket, and I notice this guy who is behind, has been following the whole time. We make conversation, and apparently he is in the same boat as I am. He is trying to get to Estonia to meet his friends. So I meet Ryan, my new travel buddy. I get up to the lady and she looks like she is not having a good day, of course this is what I need. She has trouble getting my ticket, and starts talking to the computer screen. She keeps getting asked questions to the guy to her left about the system, so she is extra irritated. Then under her breath she says, "this is going to be close". I was like, "excuse me, umm, what is going to be close?" "Well this flight is almost full, and the system is acting up, I might not be able too book i...t....Oh there we go!" Finally I get my ticket, after it seemed I was going to be spending the night in Chicago. I get my ticket, and so does my buddy, we go through security (cut the line), and get to our terminal. This flight was fine, nothing bad happen, thankgoodness. Get off the plane I meet up with Ryan, we decided since we both have a long lay-over we should go into town and have lunch. But first thing first, we should go get our tickets. Of course we have no clue where to go, so we ask some man. He tries in his best English to tell us where we would specifically pick up our tickets, and to our dismay he lead us right to appropriate area. We go to the front desk and get our tickets, and then my tutor calls. My tutor was assigned to me by the university of Tampere to help me get aquainted with the town. He was also going to pick me up from the bus station. He calls because I was suppose to be flying into Tampere at that time, and so I had to tell him that actually, uhh, I won't be coming in until 1 am. He was perplexed but he said he would pick me up from the airport at 1 am, this was the best news I got the whole travel time. Anyways, Ryan and I make into to town after a lot of directions from the local Germans. We looked around and had some lunch and a beer. It was pretty nice, had a brautwurst and sauerkraut. Made back with plenty of time back to my terminal, Ryan and I unfortunately had to split up. His flight left earlier than mine did, so when he left I just tried to sleep. It was terrible to say the least. I flew into Stockholm at like 11pm, everything looks closed. Make it downstairs and there are only two airline front desks open. I choose the right one and get my ticket. Go back upsatirs through security and wait 2 more hours. I forgot to say, I received first class tickets from Frankfurt to Stockholm , and from Stcokholm to Tampere. That was nice, but once I got to Tampere I tried to forget about my travels to get there. My tutor was there, and had my keys to my room. I was thankful for that. Took a shower and then slept for 13 hours, while my dorm was having a party..
Now I can onlyhope, nothing comes close to this on the way back to the States. But it was a nice experience going into Frankfurt unexpectedly. What a way to dive into Europe, but this is not the only story. I will post more stories when I feel up to it. Neeedless to say I'm happy and enjoying every single minute I am here.
I have made my way to Tampere, Finland and I will be here for 4 months. This is my first experience in Europe and I see it as an amazing way to start off my senior year in college.
