Finnish customs and delicacies

I can only say that today was as good as yesterday. We cooked a big lunch, with pasta and lot’s of vegetables and a nice Finnish style salad with lot’s of dille. Mommo even approved of it as she totally cleaned her plate without any complaints. And that is rather unusual. Then it was time for dessert….yesterday night I made pancakes so we had them with homemade raspberry jam, lots of blueberries, ice cream, whipped cream and a few raspberries to decorate it all. It was very very very delicious, it is that we ride our bikes so much and swim everyday that we can indulge ourselves like this. I mean it was kind of healthy even.
After that we set off to Ruissalo again. Mama tried to pick some more blueberries but the summer has been to dry it was hard to find more then we already did. I did some sketching on the beach and went swimming and to the sauna. There are not many things that you can keep on doing but swimming and sauna never gets boring. I tried to talk to the other ladies in the sauna, my Finnish isn’t that good but I try to improve and there is only one way to do so. They were very understanding and I had a great time. Sauna is a very social thing, and is quite different here then in the Netherlands. When I told the ladies that in the Netherlands a mixed sauna is most normal, they were shocked and slightly horrified. I must admit that I have never been to a Dutch sauna but some friends of mine have. It strikes me as very odd. Here men and women take turns if it is a sauna that belongs to a club or organization, or there are 2 sauna’s. Of course at home it is different but at more public places it is not mixed. I am pretty shy but when I got over it, it is the most normal thing, nobody is staring at you and it is most natural. Besides that there is always someone fatter then you so you don’t need to be embarrassed if your body isn’t as streamlined as it could be. Nobody cares or is bothered about it. A very healthy attitude I think.
I went swimming for a long time until it got very cold. Besides sauna,swimming and grilling sausages Finnish people have another addiction and that is drinking coffee, usually with some Pulla (coffee bun) .
At 5pm mama finally managed to walk away from the forest that seems to have some magic spell on her. It was sauna ladies hour again, what a luxury going to the sauna 2 on one day! I miss that a lot in Holland. It just isn’t the same, here you put your swimsuit (I have to disappoint some people yes we do wear a swimsuit) on as quick as possible and run to the sea, scream loudly when you almost have a heart attack when you jump in and then swim vigorously to warm up again. It is a great sensation first there is still a layer of heat and for a split second the coldness can’t get to you and then it is freezing for a moment and then it becomes just pure bliss. Again a blue sky, small white clouds, a gentle breeze which creates the most subtle waves, sailing boats passing, and the pine trees that almost seem to have a red trunk in a certain light. It is just something you have to experience whatever words I use it doesn’t seem to do it justice. If you are ever in Finland in summer this is the thing to try! Do make sure you do not have a serious heart condition because then going to the sauna might not be the best thing for you. Apart from that people here swear that it is very healthy. They even go in wintertime and make a hole in the ice to swim. I have seen people walk slowly and in a relaxed manner wearing only a swimsuit and socks (to prevent the feet from freezing) while it was -20c. They would swim as if it were summer and then not run back no walk back..after the sauna you would see the same people grilling a sausage. Barbequing is another Finnish passion…and sausage is one of the most popular things to make whatever the temperature is!
Oke time to go to bed now. Sweet dreams to everyone !

This is my most favorite sauna!