Hei Bloggers! This Post is long over due. I meant to write again on the 8th of May the day I came back from my trip to Russia with my host family. I wanted to write it before because I had so much on my mind and then I wanted you guys to experience all the things that I had. Well to begin, my host family suggested me to come to Viipuri for a day trip with them since I wasn't going on the rotary Russian tour. Hamina my city is very near to the Russian border so it's very easy to travel there. (Well I guess other then going through security it was easy.) My host Grandmother was our tour bus guide which was nice. :).
So in the morning of the 8th we set off to Viipuri, Russia. Viipuri was actually an old Finnish city but after the war the Russians won the territory an to be quite frank the Finns are still very bitter about it, but if you knew a Finn you would understand why. It's in their nature to be proud. I think it's something they learn at a very young age. Anyways, right when we crossed the border, I knew I was in a different country, Russians and Finns are the exact opposite. Everything is built differently the ditches were filled with trash and the houses and villages were very poor. It made me very sad to see this.
When we arrived to Viipuri I could see a change in the people. Unlike Finns Russians are very talkative and not at all reserved. I don't think they get scared of anything. haha. The markets were filled with full animal bodies and all sorts of different things. I know you might all think that this wasn't nice to see but I loved it. It was cool seeing something so different then what I'm use to.
During the tour we rode around the city and we listened to a little bit of the the town's history. After we had a little bit of time to shop in a WalMart type store. It was cool to see how much the food is different and what different cultures prefer. For example there was a rabbit with his feet still there and fur. After we went to the market, my favorite place. :). We got a whole bunch of stuff for really cheap. :). The salesman were funny as usual. We also had time to eat in one of the local restaurants and we had nothing different just pizza "Russian style". Then it was time to go home and I was very tired and I slept most of the way back. It was a very well worth trip and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go there.

Now it's already time for Eurotour. I leave on the 6th of June, so only 11 more days! I'm really excited but it's sad because I'm going to miss spending summer with my friends in Hamina. I know it sounds weird but it's just I don't know when will be the next I will ever see them again. I wrote my last test yesterday and now school is over for me. Right now I'm spending as much time as I can with everyone before I leave. My heart is seriously ripping out of my chest. I didn't know that leaving would be this hard. :(. Well I hope all is well and I'll keep you updated.
Miss you!
xoxox

Hello Bloggers!!!
So I hope all is well back home. My exchange is already reaching it's final stretch. I only have about 2 more months to profit as much as my heart will let me. Since living in my new host family things have been going so well. I really like them and I actually really feel like I'm a part of them. Many things have happened since I last spoke to you guys. I hope I can remember everything...
First I had a rotary conference in Iisalmi with all the other exchange students from my district. It was so nice to see everyone again because for some us the last time we saw each other was in the month of November. My district in Finland isnt very active but it is also because the area is quite big and it is difficult to get everyone together. During the weekend we got to hang out with each other and of course we had to listen to a few boring speaches...nothing new. :)

The exchange students from my district.
Last Thursday I went to Sirkus Finlandia, which was very neat. I had already been to a Circus but a long time ago when I was really little. There were a lot of clowns and gymnists from all over EUrope. It was very nice.

Janina and I with a clown from the circus.
On Friday it was Vappu. Vappu is a day where the Finns celebrate the beginning of spring. There are a lot of people in the streets and balloons and ribons etc. At the begining of the evening I went to a local BBQ for my neighborhood and then I went to town to hang out with some friends. I had so much fun!

Me, Vilma and Emmi...My friends. :)
On Monday I visited the Fazer Chocolate Factory! It was so nice, we got to eat all the chocolate we wanted. It was a little overwhelming though, I must admit. At the end they gave us a bag full of treats from Fazer. By the way Fazer is the Finnish chocolate that is way better than any chocolate you can buy in Canada! :P. I will bring some back home for all to try! :).
Well I miss you all but we will be together soon!
God Bless!!!
xoxo