Kesämõkkipäivä - Cabin Day

Sununtaina, pojanpoikani Daavid ya mina menimme Salolampi. Juhlimme Kesämõkkipäivä.  Se oli sauna ya uinti, piknikki ya paljon hyvä ruoka, ya paljon hyvä keskustelu.  Kiitoksia Salolampilainen!

On Sunday, my grandson David and I went to Salolampi.  We celebrated Cabin Day.  There was sauna, swimming, picnicking, a lot of good food, and a lot of good conversation.  Thank you Salolampi folks!

Salolampi 

is the name of the Finnish language village on the shores of Turtle River Lake just a little east of Bemidji.  It's one of 14 different language immersion programs offered by Concordia Language Villages.  The word Salolampi is Finnish for Lake of the Woods.  About 12 years ago, I participated in the one week Adult Finnish Immersion Program.

Jyrigin Talo ya Kioski

Jyrigin Talo

is the building on the left.  It contains the kitchen and dining hall plus classrooms, meeting rooms and some sleeping accomodations.  The building is modeled after a railway station in Finland.

Kioski

is located in the building on the right.  This is the kiosk or store where you can buy candy, ice cream and Finnish souveniers like T-shirts, toys, games, books and other goods related to Finnish culture and language.  This is also where I work from time to time.  I speak just enough Finnish to help people find things, quote prices, count change, exchange pleasantries and say thank you.

Tanssilava

Tanssilava

is the dance pavilion.  Besides dances and concerts, it is used for meetings and picnics.
 

Sami-talo

Sami-Talo

is a reconstruction of the type of housing used by the Sami, indigenous peoples of Northern Nordic countries.  Standing in front of the sami-talo is Maria, (pronounced MAR-ia, ALL Finnish words are accented on the first syllable.  It gives a peppery flavor to the language) from Finland, who works as a counselor with the language program.  She was very helpful showing us around.

     David and I had a wonderful time at Salolampi.  If you would like to learn more about Concordia Language Villages or Salolampi, you can view their websites by clicking on the names.

Llegamos a Monterrey!

     After a 2 day bus ride, Tammy, David and I, our 3 generation group, arrived in Monterrey at about 11 AM.  The main bus station in Monterrey is conveniently located in the center of town, in the Barrio Antiguo, but as the Greyhound station is in the far north end of the city, it was an unexpected $20 cab fare to our apartment near the Barrio Antiguo.  However, everything else turned out fine.  The apartment is roomy, comfortable, clean and in a pleasant neighborhood. 

Looking out from our 3rd floor balcony

     We spent the afternoon exploring the  immediate neighborhood, having lunch at a small taco stand, and stocking up on a few groceries at our neighborhood OXXO store.  I also bought a 29 peso Sim card, (just under $2 US) and a 50 peso Mexican phone card. (about $3 US)  Thanks to the storekeeper and my grandson, we got it up and running in no time.  Thanks Joel, for the use of the I-phone.  It's mainly for emergencies, but if I end up using it much, I can buy more data.

     After a little siesta in the late afternoon, we started planning out our outing for tomorrow, which will include a few museums in the Barrio Antiguo, and exploring more of that region.  The fellow at the taco stand told us how to use the local bus system, and to catch a #17 bus for the Barrio.  It's only about a 2 mile walk, but if I get too tired, bus fare is only 12 pesos. (about 75c US)  The museums are either free or very low cost.

     I'll try to give you an update in the next day or two, unless we're having too much fun.  Hasta la proxima!