October 7, 2011
Today marks the 2 month 'anniversary' of the day I was a confused exchange student walking from the Lufthansa aircraft and into Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Wow does time fly! I remember the details, the exact feel of the airport, the way that the people were staring at us, everything so clear as if it was yesterday. Today was a great day. I came home from school after buying a Finnish jacket and got a Finnish haircut (short). I thenwalked to Vanhalinna and relished the beauty of the gold and red autumn leaves and the coming of the rain storm. It was magnificent.
Anyways, I have done a lot since my last post in September. I was also able to go and visit my brother's elementary school again. At this school, they have shoe police that make sure that each child has wiped off their feet before entering the building. Once inside, students must take off their shoes before going inside. Once inside, they must stand up when the teacher walks in and say good morning. Lunch in Finland is free (and has been ever since WW2). Lunch on that day consisted of sausage stew, bread, vegetables, and strawberry yogurt for dessert.
The exchange students here are awesome. We have done a lot together, such as Ikea Trips, Downhill go carts at Hirvensalo, trips to the Turku Cathedral, and also to Turku Castle.
One of the most notable was that I personally met Princes Daniel and Princess Victoria of Sweden. It is a VERY long story (ask my parents if you want to hear it), but in the pictures below, you can see my hand giving Victoria my Rotary Youth Exchange Card with a message on the back and me talking with the princess. Photos taken by Hannah Sartor, Exchange student from Michigan.
By the way this is my class picture. Can you find me?
