FINLAND: Update + Sastamala

I took a break from posts, because life is insane and I don't have much time to write. But this week is test week, which is the week at the end of every term where everyone has to take exams to pass their classes. Today we had a normal day of school, but tomorrow I don't have to go at all. Everyone in school is really busy studying right now, but luckily there's not much for me to study. I've also started finnish lessons which are fun. I'm the youngest one there by 15-20 years. This is the second Finnish course, but it's definitely at my level and I'm glad I didn't choose the first course.

Next week is the start of the second term and I have just finished choosing my classes. I'm taking music, math, gym, cooking, art, health and english. Now I don't have two hours to sleep in in the mornings anymore *cries* but it's okay I will survive.

Friday I took a bus to Sastamala to stay with my friend Sam for the weekend. It was more complicated than I thought to go there (it took me three buses) but I made it there around 7:30. Also I have to add that Sam has the greatest host parents and the most amazing house (its two hundred years old) and the cutest dog. And I went from absolutely hating salmiakki to loving it in one night (two boxes of salmiakki later..). Also another exchange student from Ohio came later that night too :)

"Yana" the Russian spy in Finland

I wish I had more pictures of this beautiful house. I'll take more next time

So much fog!

Standing in sam's yard

The next day we went to centre of Sastamala to meet up with the other exchange students that were there. Then we all walked to this place on the lake that has this huge diving platform. I don't know why we thought this was a good idea, but all 15-20 of us decided to have a picnic on the very top of the platform. We sat around the edges and somehow all of us fit. Giulia brought tiramisu that she made herself (she's from italy, it was amazing) among other things that were brought (Vegemite, Karelian pies, peanut butter and jelly).

Val, Giulia, Sanni, Cut

Vegemite *vomits*

Ohio making sandwiches

I love Kat :D <3

Kylie, Kat, Ella, Haroldo

Reading minties wrappers

I was sleeping until everyone tried to take pictures >:(

Sunset

Here's a short clip I took of the sunset from the top of the platform. And also us singing A Thousand Miles. It's just a really nice moment.

After the sun went down, those of us staying with Sam headed home. But first we picked up a pizza. Not just any pizza though. It was so big it had full strips of bacon and ham on it (it cost 20 euro). We didn't think there was any way we could finish it (we did).

Haroldo and our "child"

The next day we took a bus to Tampere which is the same city I visited when I was at camp.

Haroldo. I wasn't paying attention.

Sitting at the bus station

Arriving in Tampere

It's such a beautiful city. So many cobblestone roads and old buildings and parks and shops. I love it. We walked for awhile, took thirty minutes to decide what to eat, then just went in front of a river and laid in the grass listened to music (exchange students are lazy).

Here is where we laid all day

Ella and I bought a carton of juice to share (we really like the juice her) :D

Around 5:30, Sam and I were supposed to catch a bus home, but we just missed it so we had to wait another two hours. So I just sat there in a bus station in Finland eating sushi with an Australian. Life's weird.

Finally, we got on one and I slept the whole way home. When I arrived in Rauma at 10:30 pm, my wonderful host dad was there waiting for me to take me home (he is awesome).

All in all it was a perfect weekend and I really can't thank Sam and his family and the other oldies (Haroldo, Jandalls) for taking care of us. You guys are great.