A walk through the sleeping city of Oulu in the middle of the night wasn’t probably the best idea but we were on a mission. We, me and my friend Nina, were on our way to meet our Polish visitors that had just arrived in Finland. The air was crispy due the after-hour freeze and it had started snowing gently a couple minutes ago. Our destination was the local Holiday Inn- hotel where the meeting was supposed to take place. We had never met the people who were going to live with us for the following four days but I guess that’s part of the magic and excitement that lingered in the air on that walk. Our steps were light yet quick on the heavy snow and we felt warm under our quilted jackets as we hurried towards the hotel. After a while that felt like an instant we were standing in front of the meeting place. We shared a quick glance of assurance and then walked in. Inside there were two young girls with huge pieces of luggage. And my only thought was: “We’re going to need a cab.”
The conversation started slowly in Nina’s city apartment later and both of the girls, named Iga and Martyna, revealed to be lively and chipper girls. We talked and chatted and talked until the clock started to show its nasty side and we decided to get some sleep for tomorrow’s big event: shopping (and sightseeing)! Unfortunately the price range in Finland is very high so our friends found everything a bit pricy. That wasn’t a barrier to have some fun though. We tried some Finnish sweets, Greek food, shoes, clothes etc. Later my mom’s boyfriend Tapio came to pick us up and we headed to Kiiminki to show our homes and families. Martyna went with Nina and Iga with me. When my family finally met Iga my mom took an instant liking to her and talked to her as much as possible. Iga introduced me some of her hometown on the internet and I learned quite a lot. (Did you know that Szczecin isn’t actually located ashore the Baltic Sea?) We listened to some music, played games, sang Sing Star, talked, baked and of course took some saunas, just had a great time.
We also visited Rovaniemi and Kemi, both cities with very Finnish tourist attractions: the city of Santa Claus and Kemi’s snow castle. That certainly was something different although I’d have never guessed how corrupted the idea of Father Christmas has become. The snow castle was magnificent though and everyone seemed amazed about the wonders they can do with ice. Our school seemed to be quite a surprise for them too. In Finland there isn’t a lot of noise during the classes and teachers try to make the lessons as interesting as possible. And the free school meal also was something to enjoy about. Unfortunately I got sick and had to rest for one day but luckily Nina looked after Iga for me.
But everything good comes to an end at some point. The time of goodbyes came way too quick and way too early in the morning. We drove our friends to the airport and waited with them until their teachers got there. There were no tears because of the knowledge that we’ll meet again, hopefully soon. Iga had brought me many souvenirs’ from Poland so my family gave her a Moomin mug, some chocolate and Finnish bread called rieska to remind her of Finland. But some things we both got were an adventure and a bunch of friendship.
Minna-Mari Lesonen, FINLAND
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