While I walked the dog, I came across this scene in a local park and thought it is a pretty good summary of spring in Finland. It also shows that while I was in a t-shirt, Finns are still rugged up. This is a big reason why there aren't many hot summers in Finland, because Finns wear so much clothing all the time to finally feel warm enough, it has to be almost 30 degrees. That is rare in Finland, so for me, I start getting ready for a warm summer at the end of winter, taking off a lot of clothing so I am always a bit cold.
It is only 13C, and I am feeling pretty warm.
My focus was on the dog, because I thought it looked pretty cool sitting like a wolf guarding the park, but with the kids on the swing, the child running to pat the dog - it made for a bit of action. The park itself is pretty lame, but without many other options, there are always people dropping by with their little kids and in the summer, it can get quite full.
It has just been Smallsteps and I the last few days and it has been really nice just to hang out, even though we haven't done anything overly special. Most of today was just me cleaning the house (Smallsteps her room) and playing a few games in between. But it was nice also.
I am looking forward to summer, even though I have little schedule now, it will be nice when no one else has much of a schedule either - so I will blend right in. But it also means that people will be moving a bit more slowly, spending a bit more time in parks, walking, and just generally being out and about. Because Finnish summer is so short and nearly everyone takes holidays around July, it makes it feel a bit more like a tourist destination. Most people are a bit more relaxed and friendlier.
There are 10 million Finns.
Five million summer Finns, and five million winter Finns.
For now though, I have to bide my time for another month or so until people start taking vacations. And on that note, my wife is back from her work trip and now we have to get ready to watch the Eurovision final as a family. Again, it is very tacky and while my wife is always hoping Finland wins, I enjoy picking on the performers, outfits and choreography.
I'm catty like that.
Taraz
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