Finland

 We have an unusual amount of snow on the ground for this time of year in Fort Wayne.  It's also very cold.  I'm reminded of a trip a friend and I took to Finland a few years ago.  It was January and we were on the trip in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights.  

Finland was a fascinating country with much to be admired about its government and life style.  We spent some time in Helsinki where we watched some people jump into the cold water of the bay in their swimsuits then climb out and run around, I guess 'til they were good and cold, and then dry off.  Not something I was remotely tempted to try.  Our tour guide proudly showed off their new city library which did have the best communal restroom I have ever used.  Otherwise, all of the features they pointed out were similar to our main Allen County library which is pretty spectacular.  Of course I didn't say that. 

After some time in the city we travelled farther north to the Finnish area of Lapland where we rode in a reindeer pulled sleigh (the coldest ride of my life), tried our hands at dog sledding, met the real Santa Claus and slept in glass dome roofed cabins.  The idea was that if the Northern Lights started shining late at night we would be able to see them from our beds.  It didn't happen but the saunas helped to make up for our disappointment and the stars were amazing.

I'm seeing this same friend for lunch tomorrow and I will remind her of our Finland trip.  She, unlike me, loves cold weather so I know she will remember it fondly.