Easter Skiing

We were invited by friends from church to go to Paltamo for the Easter weekend. We had such an enjoyable time. Their whole extended family of uncles and aunts and cousins (with children) was there, and it was a very festive family time. Most of the older generation only spoke minimal English, and I speak even less Finnish, so communication was slightly hampered, but aided by generous use of gesture and translation by any handy younger person. They reminded me so much of the older generation of Afrikaans people, except for the language of course. This was just because of the way they dressed, the way they interacted and the solid assumptions of their faith. It was so comforting to be in that environment, and so good to spend more time with our friends.

We went to a Maundy Thursday service, the first one I have ever been to, all in Finnish. I only caught a word or two, but needed no explanation for the ending of the service. Everyone has had communion, and while a man is reading some text (don't know), the priest first blows out a single candle from the 13 standing next to the pulpit, representing Judas, and then starts stripping the altar. All the other candles get blown out except for the one representing Jesus. All the lights are switched off, the altar is draped in black, and no decorations are left except for an arrangement of dry sticks. This is all done very steadily, and really brought home the lonelyness of Jesus on this night. This action was really violent in its symbolic power.

We spent a lot of time cross-country skiing, mostly on the lake next to our cottage, but also on a prepared track that had hills and turns to contend with. Now we cannot wait for next winter to arrive. I was given some skis, and bought boots, and Tracy borrowed skis from a friend of ours. It really is a full body workout, and is quite hard work, a bit like cycling, because you can at least rest on the downhill bits.

Paltamo is a small town, with about 3000 inhabitants, and still has a flowershop that leaves a section of the shop open at all times, if you have the right amount of change you can just leave it in a basket and take the flowers that you want. The shop has been run like that for 25 years!