O HOW I LOVE FINLAND

Summer in Finland

By: George(age 9)

The Morning rays creep through the curtain to invade my slumber.

Outside my door I can hear movement and voices.

I peal off my blanket and turn off the fan.

Stumbling out of my room I see relatives reading, playing, and rushing about.

Drowsily I rub sleep out of my eyes and tread slowly to the fridge for some chocolate milk.

Halfway there my cousin steps into my path and asks if I want to go to the lake.

After countless minutes of begging I surrender.

Unwillingly I gather my swimsuit and towel.

I open the door and smell the fresh air and behold the fast ocean of trees.

Off we went, down the stony road that lead to our lake.

Soon enough we arrive at the small wooden cabin and we enter the steaming sauna.

After drawing faces in the foggy window we go for a swim outside.

Goosebumps cover our skin and we have second thoughts but we carry on to the pier.

“ladies first” I say and push her in, then follow her.

It’s ice cold but refreshing so we splash around for awhile.

Finally we emerge from its icy depths and trudge to the sauna to repeat it again.

O how I love finland.

This note is without change, it is exactly as he wrote it two years ago! 
Can you only imagine being nine years old and writing such a story, it is not the writing that is impressive but the actual content. Getting out of bed, going to the frig for some chocolate milk and ending up swimming in a lake within minutes of waking up!

I should explain that for as long as my wife and I can remember George sleeps with a fan on, it makes no difference if it summer or winter the fan is always on and the setting is as high as the fan will go. Normally my wife or I will sneak into Georges bedroom and turn it off once he falls asleep but on this occasional it stayed on all night!.

Kids playing boccie ball for hours on end. No TV's no cell                            phones. Could it get any better

Do you want to explore a great unspoiled culture, a great unspoiled country were you can stay connected to the world with your i phone, blackberry or laptop.  Would you like to find a place that after three days you leave the electronic gear on the bedroom dresser and get connected with the people, the place and the food. Well, Finland would have to rank high on your list if your looking for a new experience. Helsinki is a great city with lots to see and do but for my money the country side is where you get the real cultural experience. Give it a try, you will be amazed the wonderful things that await you!