Finland

Finland! Like Iceland, this is somewhere I have wanted to visit because it is so far from life in New Zealand that I am drawn to it like a moth to a giant freezer. I want to feel cold to my bones, stomp in snow and ice, and see what the other side of the world looks like. And it looks beautiful. It’s so cold I feel like I have been punched in the face (Helsinki was -5 when I arrived and Rovaniemi where I am now was -13 when I got here, and it will probably will be -17 tonight). There is frosty ground and snow, babies are swaddled like Michelin men in strollers, their arms out straight with all the layers they have on. Kids jump on the new ice (as do I). There is a lovely vibe here, much the same as in my favourite Scandinavian countries. The rivers and lakes are newly frozen. Dogs pick their feet up quickly on walks around town. Today I walked across the arctic circle, and met Santa. The next few days will be mostly spent outdoors and I am so looking forward to it all. The new man boots did good today, my feet are warm 🙂 Also am wearing two coats, three thermal layers and two hats in these pics, and still felt a chill :0