Travelog for: Wavy Gravy

Hey everyone! 
I am so excited about being a toyvoyager.  Look at this wonderful company, Sapphire, a beautiful shimmery giraffe, Aslan, a legendary lion, Peach the Pooch, squishy and smart, DuDette, the most appealing mouse I've ever met, Edelweiss, my gifted and gorgeous cousin who's looking for her first host and Vanilla, a real star among bear stars.
Happy Easter!
Wavy Gravy

Hello everyone!
I have been kindly invited to play with a lovely lady and her cute cat in Finland, a land of spring flowers.  I am overjoyed! 
First, I said goodbye to my cousin Edelweiss.  Then to my mom and all my good friends.  Then ... and soon ... hello to my new friends in Finland.
Love and hugs,
Wavy Gravy

Hiiiii Mom!

Hauskaa Vappua! (Happy May Day)

I arrived here in Lahti Finland at Friday. Just in time to celebrate May Day. My host Susanna told me just a little bit of  Finnish May Day. Celebration starts at 30th of April, but actual May Day is 1st of May. It’s a day of workers and students. There are workers marches almost in every city, and lots of political speeches. Celebration also includes balloons, funny masks, horns and lots and lots of other funny stuff. It’s sometime said, that May Day is only real carnival in Finland. But Susanna is sorry to say, that carnival in Finland often means, that people are drinking too much alcohol and acting stupid. 

But don’t worry Mom we didn’t drink. Susanna was working at Saturday 30th of April and after that we took quick visit at Lahti market square. In pictures you can see me with balloons and “jumping castle” ( I didn’t go there, I’m too small) . At home we,  me and Droopy the Dog (my new friend) had special treats; mead and big donuts and pastries called funnel cakes. I got powdered sugar on my nose, glad I had a napkin.

It was our plan to go at market square at Sunday too, but we didn’t and in last picture you can see why. Yes, Mom it’s snowing… and we decided to stay at home.

Take Care Mom kisses
Wavy Gravy
PS: Susanna was very happy from my gifts, but don’t want to put clown nose on, she said she looks funny enough without it.

Hi Mom!
So sorry, that we haven’t update earlier. My host Susanna has been very busy at work and with her studies. But don’t worry Mom. I haven’t been alone here, while she has been at work.

Now I want to introduce you my new friends. In first picture is Droopy the dog. He is the one I celebrated in earlier pictures. He is kind of silent and melancholy fellow, but very friendly and gives me a hug whenever I need one. In second picture is Mr Big Bear or Mr Old Bear. And he really is big and old. He has many fascinating stories about old times. And then last, but not least Veskari the cat. Veskari means goal keeper (Susanna’s boyfriend plays ice hockey, so you can guess, where the name comes from). Veskari is very playful sometimes too playful, but my host keep good eye on us while we are playing, just to make sure.

Tomorrow we will travel to Seinäjoki (where Susanna goes to study) for few days. I’m sure we will have lots of fun, and take nice pictures.

Take Care Mom!
Your
Wavy Gravy

Hi Mom!

I have been very busy little bear. Last weekend we spent few days at Seinäjoki, where my host studies once a month. We went there by train, as you can see in first picture. That big white building behind me is famous church called Lakeuden Risti, and I found some beautiful flowers too. At hotel room I had my own big bed, how nice. And there is quite nice view from Susanna’s classroom,
don’t you think?

We returned late Saturday night, and were both really tired. At Sunday morning I woke up with strange noise.  Susanna was singing Happy Birthday to you…..(believe me Mom she really can’t sing). She remembered my birthday, and we have coffee and cakes for breakfast. I also got a present, look Mom my own diary or travel log, can I take it with me to my travels Mom, can I? Susanna promised to put some mementos in it. Then she showed me you Birthday wishes from computer. Thank you Mom!

Weather is getting better, so next weekend we will go outside, can’t wait.
Take care Mom xxx
Wavy Gravy

Hi Mom!

Weather hasn’t been what we were hoping for, still cold and rainy.  So we haven’t been able to go out much. But yesterday we went to small village Kalkkinen about 30 km from Lahti. At my hosts working place they do little afternoon trips once or twice a year. We got a change to explore small home winery. I’m sorry to say that we didn’t saw actual wine making (some hygiene rules).  But we saw some very nice old buildings there. And Susanna bought huge bottle of wine, although she said bottle looks huge only for me.  We didn’t taste it yet, we save it for special occasion.

We really do hope, that this weekend we can go out and about.
Hugs
Wavy Gravy

(just updating map )

Hi Mom!

Finally sunny and warm day. So we could go out and I got to see some of Finnish nature. We went to small forest near this beautiful lake. As you may know they called Finland country of thousands of lakes. And almost all Finnish people want to live in town center, by the lake.  Well my host lives about 3 km from center and 1 km from nearest lake, so not bad…

In forest we saw beautiful white flowers, and I wanted to go and have picture with them. But Susanna told me it’s not a good idea, because they grow at swampy. She didn’t want to wet her shoes. Any way we have nice time, and it’s very peaceful by the lake. In last picture, we are public beach. Here there are not so many sand beaches, but you can sunbathe on grass.

I wonder, what we will do next

Love you Mom

Wavy

Hi Mom!

I’m officially working little bear now. Yesterday my host took me to very important meeting with her. This meeting was at Lahti city hall, and in pictures you can see me right front of it. Inside the city hall it was forbidden to take pictures.  Well I was in Susanna’s bag, and listening looooooooooooong and solemn talks. I must admit,  I got little bored, and started to giggle.  Susanna hushed me (not because she was mad, but because she was afraid she starts to giggle too).

We both were happy, when that meeting ended. At evening we were at home, and suddenly we saw something odd from the window. This hot air balloon was very near Susanna’s living room window. We run at balcony, and took pictures, before it floated away. Picture is not very good, because sun was shining from behind the balloon. Sorry.

Well, I wonder where my host will take me next…..

Love you Mom!
Wavy Gravy

Hi Mom!

Sorry it took so long to update, my host had little troubles with her health, but she is O.K now.  Tuesday 21st  of June was the longest day of the year here in Finland. It means the Sun is up almost 24 hours. At the first picture it is nearly midnight and as you can see it’s quite bright. Last weekend we celebrated Midsummer. Well, in my host’s case it means good food and sip of something bubbling. 

At Midsummer most of Finnish people go to summer cottages and cities are nice and quiet. Finnish people also burn big bonfires at Midsummer eve. Susanna is not big fan cottages or bonfires, so she rather stays at home. So we went to marketplace and bought some delicacies. In Finland they can grow vegetables and berries only at short summer time. And so when new vegetables and berries are ready, they are expensive, but so sweet. We bought new potatoes, strawberries and peas. At Finland you can buy “strong” alcohol like wine from only one types of  shops called “Alko”  . So we went and bought our bubbling from there. At evening we cooked potatoes and roasted some sausages and have strawberries and sparkling wine for desert yummy!

Next my host will take me to work with her, she needs some help learning something new….hmmm.

Take Care Mom!
xxx
Wavy Gravy

Hi Mom!

Last Saturday morning my host put me in her bag, and said here we go. So I was sure, that now we are going to her workplace. But NO, we went to Helsinki capital city of Finland. Susanna was going to visit one of her school mates, but we had time to take quick tour at center of Helsinki, and I saw few sights.

In the first photo is Helsinki Cathedral

Quote:

The Lutheran Cathedral, located on the north side of Helsinki, dominates the Cathedral Square. The cathedral was originally built in 1830-1852 to replace an earlier church from 1727. The church was designed by Carl Engel as Greek cruciform in shape

, then Presidential Palace

Quote:

The Presidential Palace is located in the center of Helsinki, on Kauppatori Square (Market Square). This magnificent building in Classicism style is decorated with three arches, the gallery and attic. There is the monument to Emperor Alexander II in front of the palace

, where the president Tarja Halonen lives (she was not home though)  . After that, another beautiful church Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral

Quote:

The Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral is the largest functioning Orthodox venue in Western Europe. The impressive building in Byzantine style made of red-brick is crowned with the golden domes. The interior features numerous valuable icons.

We stopped and had some cold drinks in this cute red restaurant boat. We walked through Market Square to meet Susanna’s friend. On our way I saw National Theatre too. But the most special thing I saw was these birds on the wall of one building. Mom, you never guess, what they are……surveillance cameras!  Yes, there is camera inside those birds. What a clever idea. We spent quite some time at Susanna’s friend’s house, and we were very tired, when we got home. But what a lovely day.

Hugs from your Wavy Gravy

(updating map )

Hi Mom!

Yesterday my host took me with her to work. She is working in city library. This fall they will start new service there. Their patrons can digitize their old video tapes, cassettes and vinyl records. There is also possibility to editing photographs and make “home movies”. Most of the patrons are elderly people, so they need help with all that. Susanna is one of the workers, who will help them to use computers and programs. But at first she must learn everything herself. That’s what we did yesterday. It was quite fun, but to be honest I like more to be outside. So Susanna made a promise, that next week will make a trip to forest, and see if we can find any berries or mushrooms.

Take Care Mom!

Love Wavy XXX

Hi Mom!
Fall is coming here to Finland. It’s raining and weather is quite cold. Yesterday the Sun was shining, so my host and I went to forest. It’s not a big forest, but last year Susanna found blue berries and some mushrooms there.

First we went this track. But my host told me, that we must take smaller path, if we want to find berries or mushrooms. Well, we found some berries, but no mushrooms at all. Susanna was very disappointed. I suggest, that we collect cones instead, there were plenty of those.  She informed me, that it is quite difficult to make cream sauce from cones. Any way I think forest was very beautiful with all those colors, and our trip was relaxing.

On our way back we went past this church. It’s Susanna’s “home” church and we hear church bells every Sunday. For a rest of the week we will study hard, we have lot to do before my hosts school starts again.

Love you Mom, hugs from

Wavy Gravy

Hi Mom!

We have been studying and studying day after day. So yesterday my host said, we have earned a day off. So we spent a day in Loviisa. Loviisa is a small town about 80 km from Lahti.

Quote:

Loviisa, an idyllic old port town between Porvoo and Kotka, is less than an hour's drive east of Helsinki. The Swedish King Adolf Fredrik was very fond of the town and named it after his wife, Queen Lovisa Ulrika. The coastal town of Loviisa has a rich history. The bilingual town has a remarkable main square surrounded by the 19th century stately stone houses and just near the centre, you will find the old town districts with their wooden houses, sandstone and cobblestone streets. On the western side, you will find the bold neo-gothic Church.

First we went to visit Bonga castle. It’s not really a big castle, but very nice (they even have a ghost)  . In Bonga, there is atelier of famous artist Riitta Nelimarkka. It was not allowed to take photos inside, but at least you can see me at front of  castle. You can also see Loviisa’s church in one photo.

Quote:

Riitta Nelimarkka is a distinctive and versatile artist whose repertoire includes textile art, graphic art, animated films, paintings, artist books, photography and extensive exhibition entities. Bonga Castle is a 2000 m2 patrician castle from 1906 and has been renovated to the original 1920 classical style. The gallery takes up 1/3 of the castle and shows the most essential part of the artist production. The spacious gallery is filled with light and vibrating colours.

Then we went to see historical houses of Loviisa. It’s an annual event. There are lots of beautiful old buildings in Loviisa, mostly small wooden ones. Once a year owners of those houses let tourists to see their gardens and even take a look inside houses. Susanna and I agree, that we don’t take photos inside anybody’s home, but you can see me outside few houses. There were also small markets and flea markets everywhere. We walked all day and have so much fun.

Now back to our studies. Take Care Mom!

Hugs and kisses from Wavy