Out to the farm

A big part of Charppa's life is working at the farm where her mom grew up.  We took a 2 hour drive out to the farm to help pick the strawberries but the weather turned really bad.  When they get thunder storms they shut down the power to their houses and are told not to go out.  We hung out in the old farm houses checking out the old pictures of the family.  My mom just loved the rugs and table runners that grandma and great-grandma made.  Sorry, no pictures today. It rained too hard all day!!!!

Checking out Charppa's city

Today we saw the sights of Tampere.  We went into downtown, visited an old church,  saw Charppa's school, did some shopping, and even visited a lumber yard  (If you ask me, it looked just like Home Depot - boring!)  But to top off the day, we took their boat across the lake to have a fancy dinner at a restaurant in a tower.  It spun very slowly so we could see all the sights.  The food was really awesome but way different.  Check out the pictures of the view and the food.

Stops on our way back to Tampere

Day 6 -  We spent the night in Rovaniemi with family friends then headed out early.  We first stopped to swing up above the trees. Then we traveled on to the actual line of the Arctic circle.  The Fins claim Santa lives nearby so I paid a visit.  We then went to a Finnish zoo where I got to take pictures of all the animals found in Finland.  Eventually we got back to Charppa's house.  Her parents had a night snack ready for us.  I love the idea of the night snack.  The Fins say they need energy for good sleep.  I could get use to this!!!!

Me being a dare devil

Climbing through the trees

This picture is for the Moenters.  It's a wolverine!

Waiting to see Santa

Standing in and out of the Arctic circle

The Finnish national bird - the swan

OMG I ate reindeer

Day 5 - Today we experienced the traditional Finnish customs.  The whole family along with the other family showing us around rented a floating sauna,  We sat in a very steaming sauna then jumped into the lake which was only 55 degrees.  Boy was it cold but fun!  I did went back and forth several times and did a little fishing.  After that we went to an old log cabin to eat an old fashion Lapland meal.  We started out with perch soup then were served mashed potatoes with what was referred to as "game".  I later learned it was reindeer - that was a horrible trick!!!!!! Although it did taste like roast beef.  To finish the evening, we all went bowling - I need to practice more because I got smoked.

The floating house

Me jumping off the boat

The water is freezing!!!!!!

Charrpa's mom, Tinna, and I before our meal.

The big table

My reindeer meal - I can't believe I ate it!!!

Mid-summer's celebration

Day 5 - I think???  It's so hard to tell what time it is because the sun never sets.
After we sleep for awhile we eat at the hotel and head out to see the sights.  Charppa's parents have good friends that have lived in Lapland until recently so they  have many connections  We first visit a local artist's house.  He paints a lot of local scenery right from his back yard. From there we visit a local outdoor place that offers a traditional mid-summer's feast - they cook the meat in the ground - it sounds disgusting but it tasted good. Then we headed  up the mountain where in the winter they all ski.  Here I got to see my first reindeer.  They passed by me really close.  They are so cute.  We hung out at the bonfire - another traditional thing to do.  It was lit right at midnight but it was daylight - so strange.

Outside artist's house

More scenery at artist's house

I want to bring him home

Our ride up the mountain- go USA

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Bonfire at midnight

It's always nonstop with Charppa!

Day 4 - Charppa was waiting for us in Helsinki with hugs and kisses!!!!  We load all of our stuff into a van her dad borrowed from his company.  We're about ready to leave the airport when dad realizes that he left his phone on the plane. (Good thing this was  not me!!!!  I'd of been in tons of trouble.)  We go back in but learn the plane has taken off already and nothing was turned in.  He is so sad because everything is on it.  We drive about 2 hours to Tampere, where Charppa lives.  I've never seen soooo many trees.  I'm sure now she lives in the woods!! (inside joke)  Heikki, her dad, has supper ready for us (he cooks much better than my dad does!) then we pack small suitcases and head right out for Lapland - a 10 hour drive, which I slept because I never did sleep on the plane.  When I woke up, we were in Lapland checking into a ski resort - luckily there was no snow though.  It was 4 in the morning Finnish time, so I tried to go back to bed.

Our hotel for 3 days.

I'm finally in Europe.

Day 3 - We first land in Dusseldorf, Germany where they stamp my passport.  We have a layover of about 3 hours.  Mom and I ordered from a food counter and paid in Euros.  Luckily the ladies behind the counter  switched to English quickly when they heard mom's awful attempt at German.  We watched the airport workers unload and load planes.  It's amazing how much cargo they fit on the planes and how fast they clean the planes.  We are now only a few hours from seeing Charrpa.

Standing in front of the airport sign - which is huge.  Yes, that's me at the bottom.

Working on my German -haha

Watching the planes reload.

Plane ride, here I come!

Day 2 - Mom got dad and I up early today. We packed up, ate breakfast at the hotel, and got back on the road.  I had no idea that Newark Airport was right across the river from New York City!!!  We dropped off our car at an indoor storage facility where they promised to take good care of it and even wash it,  Mom and dad made some reference to Ferris Buehler's Day Off, which they had to explain to me.  Obviously it's one of those "old people" things.  The car place dropped us off at the airport.  We checked in using our passports - my picture is so lovely - haha - then ate lunch at Subway in the airport.  We got to load the plane first because I'm a kid.  Take off was exciting and the ride was so smooth.  I spent a lot of time on the floor looking for mom's glasses or phone she kept dropping, but other than that it was awesome.  Did you know they have T.V. on the plane?!!  I watched Disney channel, of course, and a couple of movies.

We are on our way!

Day 1 - After taking Sissel to the airport in Toledo, and shedding a few tears, we return home to load our luggage and then hop on the turnpike.  Mom drives for about 6 hours, while I read and sleep.  We stop in the town of Mill Hall for our first night - such excitement already because it is only the 2nd time I've stayed in a hotel.  I claimed my bed and settled in for the night.

One More Day

Tomorrow I leave for my 5 week journey to Europe.  I will drive about 8-9 hours to Newark, New Jersey.  I will take a flight across the ocean then go through customs.    Then I will land in Helsinki, Finland where I will begin my journey in Europe with the foreign Exchange  student I had last year, Charppa.

I'm very excited to go on this once in a life time trip.  However, I don't really want to leave any of my family or friends.  Plus, I will also have to leave my two dogs Jackson and Sophie, and my cat Bob.