spring is here

and the finns are out in flocks. i wonder where they have all been hiding? i decided to wander around the suburb i live in and see some of the far reaches one this beautiful day--

the lake is starting to thaw

the water tower, or a giant mushroom

the swimming hall (i'm not lying. it's underground. a loooonnnggg elevator ride down)

mämmi

bon appetit and belated happy easter, celebrated in the way of the finns.

kyykkä

since i have a few moments, i'll share a little finnish culture. a few weekends ago, tampere university of technology was host to the 'world championship of kyykkä.' while the object of the game is to knock over the other team's wooden pins, what it really means is drunk finns (equaling talkative finns), naked drunk finns running around the ever-present sauna, tech student overalls (i'll post about those some other time), and other such shenanigans. you can learn a little more here and here.

hervanta

i live in a suburb of tampere--hervanta, population 25,000

snowy trees outside my apartment

leaving campus

walking home from tut

the corner of my street

apartments at the corner of my street--pretty typical of the area

construction across the street from my apartment. i love when these giant cranes swing over the street...

sunset out my window