Excursion

We had signed up for ESN Afternoon that took place about 10 hours ago. It was supposed to be a fun filled day where exchange students would get a chance to interact with each other, and to experience how the Finns enjoy some of their traditional games, sports and of course the sauna. It was a 30 min bus ride from a small chapel near our school to our destination, which is something like the country side... The fee for the trip was collected in the bus - ERU 6.

Us arriving at the cabin

Nordic walking was the first activity

We used these things for nordic walking. I guess it is a kind of sport where your arms should get a little sore after walking for some time, provided you are doing it correctly. Perhaps the 10 min walk was too short, or I probably did not do it right, but I didn't feel anything. To the exchange students, it was more of walking around normally with 2 thin poles that prevent you from falling, although it was not slippery. But it was the experience and the conversations with the other students that made the experience enjoyable.

Xiao Hui and me

She's a South Korean, and speaks very good english

We went back to the cabin where we played board games. The first game was Taboo. 10 of us were divided into 2 teams, and we take turns drawing cards which has a word that team members have to guess. It is like charades, but you get to speak. And there is a list of words that you are not allowed to use, hence taboo. Oh, our team won. Singaporeans are good at this game. Also, Uno is played differently all over the world.

Taboo

Snacks were provided. They are the berry syrup and a Finnish pastry. The pastry is made from rice, and is a little sour and salty. It was something that I did not mind eating, nor will I miss it. I think Breadtalk's pork floss buns are the best.

Diluted berry syrup which tastes good

Their paper cups have these flaps, but people simply grab their cups

Jukka-Pekka's chinese name

Sausages for bbq and the Finnish pastry

This is where the BBQ (they call it baking) will take place

The sausage I am about to BBQ/bake/whatever

We used sticks to pierce the sausages and to cook them

Here, they use real firewood, not charcoal. And I think they found the sticks from the ground, because they are really really the kind that you'd find around here. Maria (she's as tall as me. Intimidating I tell you) told me a little bacteria is good for the body. Haha...

The sausage nicely cooked, very delicious

This was taken at about 3.40 pm

More scenery

We did not have much time left for the sauna, although some of the students managed to go for it early. There will be more chances in the future in Finland. We played some more games and soon, it was time to head back. The time was 5 pm and it was already pitch black. The driver was skilled. Not much signs around, no street lamps, and he managed to bring us back with ease.

Tomorrow is Sunday and it will be a slacking day. Lots of computer games, music, internet surfing, web-cam-ing and sleep. It's a good life so far. I just wished I did not ask what my family had for lunch - Braised Duck. Hai... Mother's cooking... Better appreciate it.