Notes from Levi

Really strange things people do. Go on the ski, instead of walking around. I must say though, it does in a way make life easier. Its easier to travel on around 80 cm of snow with skis on, rather than walking. They drag kids on toboggans that are tied to you by a rope while you are skiing. After a day out on the skis, they have a sauna. A room, often made from wood, is warmed up to around 70 C with coals. When its hot enough, you go in, throw some water on the coals in the stove called kiuas in Finnish`, which causes steam. I’ve tried a few times, its unbearable. The first time, it felt like my nose, and throat were being burnt – I could not breathe. Apparently, they say it is good for the body, since it makes you sweat and takes out all those bad things. You see, people have trouble sweating here in the North. No person in southern Europe would think that they need to sweat it out – just wait for summer.