First Days

It rained non-stop for the first 36 hours we got here and Sharon was beginning to wonder what she had gotten herself into. Would we ever see the sun again? The sun is supposed to be out 20 hours a day in the summer, right? We'll it finally came out and Oulu is absolutely beautiful when the sun is shining. I heard that this year is currently the rainiest in Finland in 30 years.

Yesterday I got an unprovoked "Hello" on the street so I realized I wasn't invisible. It's strange coming from the US, especially Texas, where everyone says hello to you no matter who you are if to acknowledge your existence. I felt like the Jerk when he found his name in the phone book - my existence has been validated!

Idle chit-chat and common pleasantries aren't norm here. However, Finns are generally very nice if you need some help and will help you if they are able to as long as you make the effort. I am surprised I've met a lot of Finns that don't speak English in the stores, so knowing a few words and taking a dictionary along will be useful, like knowing 'vissi' for bathroom so the kids don't pee in their pants while shopping for milk.

We made a trip to the beach where the water and air temperature were the same (65 F). It was quite nice, lots of people swimming and we were the tannest on the beach.

We also found the farmer's market in downtown Oulu where the produce is absolutely amazing and the strawberries more amazing (and expensive at 4euro/liter). And you can buy all sorts of exotic meats (moose and reindeer). The reindeer is quite expensive, like buying filet mignon.



We are glad we brought chili powder and cumin because these seem impossible to find. Sharon made a delicious moose chili for lunch and moose nachos for dinner. Quite scrumptious.