Suomi-Finland
This is a brief list of memorable occurrences from our trip to Finland.
1. On the car ride to the airport, Michael continually gave his dad the wrong directions; he was anxious to fly. Was it because it was his first time out of the country or because he was plagued by mono?
2. Michael’s level of Finnish before the trip: banaani, kiitos, Reima, Eija, Emmi, Niels,
3. Michael’s level of Finnish after the trip: banaani, kiitos, Reima, Eija, Emmi, Niels, Helsinki, Turku, vesi, maito, Timo, Hesburger, el Maco Jr, Whisky Bar, moi, joo, ei, hot doggi, munkki, pulla, appelsiini, sauna, Otä tai Jätä (Deal or No Deal), Suomi Talent, juustohöylä (use the hoe line), Saara, Olli, Susanne, Meiju, Maikkeli, pizza americana and hämähäki.
4. Immediately, Reima gives Michael the nickname, Maikkeli.
5.
6. South Finland’s scenery is reminiscent of
7. On the first night in
8. “Babe, our room is really small.”
9. “Who are those seniors in the sauna room?”
10. Heinz Mexican ketchup is yucky. Eija’s homemade mustard is yummy!
11. Happy Juice on the bus ride to the reception and on Michael’s suit.
12.
13. Finnish kids playing in the park…Finnish teenagers guarding the statue in the park.
14. There’s a buckeye tree in front of the art museum.
15. Paljonko on yksi hampurilais ateria? Vain neljätoista yhdeksan kymmenta markkaa. Paljonko on kokonainen hampurilais ateria? Vain neljätoista yhdeksan kymmenta markkaa. Yksi hampurilainen plus pienet ranskalaiset plus pieni juoma. Noin paljon ja nain vähän. (The “MacDonald’s” commercial that Kelly still remembers from 12 years ago. It was a big hit with our Finnish table mates at the reception.)
16. Olli (a.k.a. Finnish Tom Brady) blames Michael for everything (gas prices, housing market, etc.) In the meantime, Kelly gets accosted by a Finnish/Danish/English/French/Swedish speaking lady in a magenta ball gown.
17. Kelly’s favorite Finnish food…is it pulla, karjalanpiirakat or omena leipos?
18.
19. Michael’s spleen survived
20. Kelly sleeps on a “cold air” mattress and must wear Michael’s socks to bed.
21. Moomins!
22. The floor in the Finnish shower is so warm.
23. Bathroom stalls in public restrooms are like closets.
24. Duty free chocolate!
25.
26. Kelly denies having “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on her MP3 player and then realizes it’s the “fat Hawaiian guy song.”
27. Cougar sighting in downtown
28. Michael has to help Kelly operate the sink in the main bathroom. Its modern design was too baffling for the girl from
29. Being in Finland is like being at home...
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