Lahti on to Orimattila

This day was filled with one event after another, as we made our way from Lahti down to Orimattila.

We began the day by getting a tour of Lahti by Markku.

The ski jumps again, this time you can see the top and the snow was beginning to melt away.

This design was the first of its kind in the 60s and inspired other parks to adopt this set up.

Weiping's guilty face.

A window for each week of the year.

This church was built by a famous Finnish architect and desgined it with the focus pointed at the alter. This was built in the 70s after the architect's death.

^_^

Olavi Lanu, a designer who created art that he wanted to morph into the scenery. 

Many of these sculptures were originally done in ice or vegetation. He created a technique to preserve the imagine in concrete.

He didn't notify most people where he set up his artwork because he wanted art to blend in with nature.

The Lahti library.

A moped car that kids can drive at 16.

School cafeteria. Sami's asked us to talk at his high school and we ate school lunch.

Kannas Upper Secondary School has a focus on the arts and the students participate in a variety of arts.

Presentations to the students.

The Orimattila Art Gallery.

Watch out Brad!

Run!

Traditional Orimattila dress.

After the gallery we went to Solie Yli-Mayry's art gallery. 

She is very popular in Japan, and has had exhibitions all over the world.

She renovated this house and decorated the interior.

She uses a painting spade for her art. She has also shifted some of her work to glass in the past twenty years.

As we were leaving the artist herself signed our art books. She had recently arrived back from Japan and wasn't expected.

Weiping enjoying crackers and apple sauce after the school lunch was only salad.

Mmmm home made apple sauce, great!

Weiping and I's host father Ari and son Ilari.

Before the Rotary meeting we stopped to see our host sister practice basketball. Her team was sixth in the nation for their age group. Laura is very talented.

The Orimattila Rotary meeting, this is a boys club. 

Steve exchanging Rotary banners.

They were treated to our presentations.

So much citrus.

This is all bread.

A GIANT can of pickles. No damage, I promise.

This is where Weiping and I spent our evening. The house has two units so two different families reside here.

While we were at the meeting Ilari baked us gluten and lactose free brownies. They were delicious!

Laura, Sari and Ilari.

Ari works near Helsinki for a oil company and Sari is a physical therapist. Sari's family had to flee from the eastern part of Finland during WWII and they bought the manor home we stayed at. 

Ilari and his personal angry bird.

Ilari's drinks for us. They were super fancy.

After the Rotary dinner we came home to this spread, and it grew larger.

Veggie paste! I had to try it, it was slightly vinegary but tasty. 

Myself and the host family. They were very kind and fed us a lot. I enjoyed the time we spent with them. Wish we had had more time with them.