So after a 14 hour trip on a coach bus picking kids from Eastern Finland up, we ate lunch then we went downhill skiing which I completely sucked at, but it was fun nonetheless. Then we went back to our hotel, had dinner, had a dance party that got shut down because we had no clue that quiet time was 10PM...oops. I roomed with 2 Americans. One from Indiana who I met before I left and another from Washington. Our room consisted of 3 beds, a bathroom (heated), picnic table (random), and a closet. With 3 Americans, you can imagine how messy it got...I may have contributed greatly. The next day we had breakfast at the hotel (which by the way, was at 7.30AM) then went into a multi-roomed igloo at the hotel that was very neat. Then me and my Aussie friend Madlen attempted to carve a chair out of snow. My ass didn't fit and I broke it. Again, oops. Then we just hung out until we went to dinner at an indoor/outdoor fireplace area. It was lit with candles and there were different screened in rooms with fires where we sat and had fish soup and pancakes for dinner. Then after that, we went to a school where different bands and dancers performed for us. Then each country performed for them. We sang "Take me out to the ball game" and did the Batman rendition of "Jingle Bells". Then after that, it was straight to bed since we were so tired. Our final day was the Finnish independence day. We woke up, ate breakfast, then went to another resort where we learned about the nature in Lapland (so fun)...BUT we saw the most incredible view; white trees speckled with pine green for as far as you can see. It was breathtaking. Even if I had a picture of it, you just really could not appreciate it unless you were there. After that, we went to this 5th generation reindeer farmer ladies ranch and she was adorable. We roped some (wooden) reindeer. Then we fed reindeer and they were absolutely adorable (mind you, we had reindeer for dinner the night before). Then after that, we went to the hotel where we went on a dogsled ride and saw all the huskies the place owned. They were SOOOOO cute. I love huskies. They were so eager to go out and run. Now, I am one completely against animal cruelty and I thought it would make me really upset, but the dogs were so happy to run and be outside it was ridiculous. Everyone found out my obsession with dogs there. Then after that we went inside to celebrate the Finnish independence day where a traditional Lappi Sami guy sang songs. Then the Australians handed off gifts to us. My Australian other half, Jenny, gave me my present, as well as my oldie Georgia whom I love dearly. Then we had a no pants party until 12 (it was harmless, don't worry mom). The next day was leaving day. We had breakfast and headed out 2 hours to Santa Land. The tourist equivalent of Wall Drug. No, I didn't meet Santa, but I did buy a huskie which I named Brian and sleep with every night now. He reminds me of my exchange family. Then we ate lunch at about 2PM (It was pitch black by then) and headed back out for another 14 hour drive slowly dropping people off at each city. Overall the trip was truly something phenomenal. I can only tell you the events that took place, but the emotions and friendships have no words I can use to explain it. I always say how awesome it is to be with exchange students, but this really just tore me up inside because there is no other relationship or friendship like an exchange friendship.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Lapland!
So this past Wednesday I got back from Lapland. It was such an amazing experience. I don't have the time nor patience to go into ultimate details, but I can briefly go through the activities and post some pictures, because pictures speak a thousand words. For this trip, it was actually bittersweet because a lot of the people we were there with, we won't see again. For example, the Australians, who come in January, will also be leaving in January. This was our only big event with all of them together and they are amazing people.
So after a 14 hour trip on a coach bus picking kids from Eastern Finland up, we ate lunch then we went downhill skiing which I completely sucked at, but it was fun nonetheless. Then we went back to our hotel, had dinner, had a dance party that got shut down because we had no clue that quiet time was 10PM...oops. I roomed with 2 Americans. One from Indiana who I met before I left and another from Washington. Our room consisted of 3 beds, a bathroom (heated), picnic table (random), and a closet. With 3 Americans, you can imagine how messy it got...I may have contributed greatly. The next day we had breakfast at the hotel (which by the way, was at 7.30AM) then went into a multi-roomed igloo at the hotel that was very neat. Then me and my Aussie friend Madlen attempted to carve a chair out of snow. My ass didn't fit and I broke it. Again, oops. Then we just hung out until we went to dinner at an indoor/outdoor fireplace area. It was lit with candles and there were different screened in rooms with fires where we sat and had fish soup and pancakes for dinner. Then after that, we went to a school where different bands and dancers performed for us. Then each country performed for them. We sang "Take me out to the ball game" and did the Batman rendition of "Jingle Bells". Then after that, it was straight to bed since we were so tired. Our final day was the Finnish independence day. We woke up, ate breakfast, then went to another resort where we learned about the nature in Lapland (so fun)...BUT we saw the most incredible view; white trees speckled with pine green for as far as you can see. It was breathtaking. Even if I had a picture of it, you just really could not appreciate it unless you were there. After that, we went to this 5th generation reindeer farmer ladies ranch and she was adorable. We roped some (wooden) reindeer. Then we fed reindeer and they were absolutely adorable (mind you, we had reindeer for dinner the night before). Then after that, we went to the hotel where we went on a dogsled ride and saw all the huskies the place owned. They were SOOOOO cute. I love huskies. They were so eager to go out and run. Now, I am one completely against animal cruelty and I thought it would make me really upset, but the dogs were so happy to run and be outside it was ridiculous. Everyone found out my obsession with dogs there. Then after that we went inside to celebrate the Finnish independence day where a traditional Lappi Sami guy sang songs. Then the Australians handed off gifts to us. My Australian other half, Jenny, gave me my present, as well as my oldie Georgia whom I love dearly. Then we had a no pants party until 12 (it was harmless, don't worry mom). The next day was leaving day. We had breakfast and headed out 2 hours to Santa Land. The tourist equivalent of Wall Drug. No, I didn't meet Santa, but I did buy a huskie which I named Brian and sleep with every night now. He reminds me of my exchange family. Then we ate lunch at about 2PM (It was pitch black by then) and headed back out for another 14 hour drive slowly dropping people off at each city. Overall the trip was truly something phenomenal. I can only tell you the events that took place, but the emotions and friendships have no words I can use to explain it. I always say how awesome it is to be with exchange students, but this really just tore me up inside because there is no other relationship or friendship like an exchange friendship.
So after a 14 hour trip on a coach bus picking kids from Eastern Finland up, we ate lunch then we went downhill skiing which I completely sucked at, but it was fun nonetheless. Then we went back to our hotel, had dinner, had a dance party that got shut down because we had no clue that quiet time was 10PM...oops. I roomed with 2 Americans. One from Indiana who I met before I left and another from Washington. Our room consisted of 3 beds, a bathroom (heated), picnic table (random), and a closet. With 3 Americans, you can imagine how messy it got...I may have contributed greatly. The next day we had breakfast at the hotel (which by the way, was at 7.30AM) then went into a multi-roomed igloo at the hotel that was very neat. Then me and my Aussie friend Madlen attempted to carve a chair out of snow. My ass didn't fit and I broke it. Again, oops. Then we just hung out until we went to dinner at an indoor/outdoor fireplace area. It was lit with candles and there were different screened in rooms with fires where we sat and had fish soup and pancakes for dinner. Then after that, we went to a school where different bands and dancers performed for us. Then each country performed for them. We sang "Take me out to the ball game" and did the Batman rendition of "Jingle Bells". Then after that, it was straight to bed since we were so tired. Our final day was the Finnish independence day. We woke up, ate breakfast, then went to another resort where we learned about the nature in Lapland (so fun)...BUT we saw the most incredible view; white trees speckled with pine green for as far as you can see. It was breathtaking. Even if I had a picture of it, you just really could not appreciate it unless you were there. After that, we went to this 5th generation reindeer farmer ladies ranch and she was adorable. We roped some (wooden) reindeer. Then we fed reindeer and they were absolutely adorable (mind you, we had reindeer for dinner the night before). Then after that, we went to the hotel where we went on a dogsled ride and saw all the huskies the place owned. They were SOOOOO cute. I love huskies. They were so eager to go out and run. Now, I am one completely against animal cruelty and I thought it would make me really upset, but the dogs were so happy to run and be outside it was ridiculous. Everyone found out my obsession with dogs there. Then after that we went inside to celebrate the Finnish independence day where a traditional Lappi Sami guy sang songs. Then the Australians handed off gifts to us. My Australian other half, Jenny, gave me my present, as well as my oldie Georgia whom I love dearly. Then we had a no pants party until 12 (it was harmless, don't worry mom). The next day was leaving day. We had breakfast and headed out 2 hours to Santa Land. The tourist equivalent of Wall Drug. No, I didn't meet Santa, but I did buy a huskie which I named Brian and sleep with every night now. He reminds me of my exchange family. Then we ate lunch at about 2PM (It was pitch black by then) and headed back out for another 14 hour drive slowly dropping people off at each city. Overall the trip was truly something phenomenal. I can only tell you the events that took place, but the emotions and friendships have no words I can use to explain it. I always say how awesome it is to be with exchange students, but this really just tore me up inside because there is no other relationship or friendship like an exchange friendship.
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