I finally
arrived to Finland on Friday morning and then it was time to new travel! We
left for the summer cottage for the Juhannus (Midsummer)! For many years
Juhannus haven’t been this warm. I remember that last year it was almost
impossible to swim as the temperature was so low. Now it is better! Warm enough
for a long swim and to spend a lot of time outside. I can finally breath the
clean air and enjoy everything.
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Vihta, used in sauna to hit yourself, feels good and relaxing |
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| Of course football is part of this holiday! Cheering for Poland! Tylko Polska! ;) |
Juhannus is
a traditional Finnish holiday. Almost everybody is getting out of the city for
the summer cottages to grill, swim, sauna and drink. It is traditional to have
a bonfire (we don’t have that). The Juhannus night is a magical night and it
has been part of the tradition to do some small rituals. For example: unmarried
woman picks seven different kind of flowers, puts them under her pillow for the
night to dream about her future husband. This is something we do every year.
This year I only picked the flowers but I was not sleeping so that they were
under my pillow.
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| 7 different kind of flowers |
Juhannus is
in the middle of the summer and in Finnish also called yötön yö, nightless
night. It is so light during the night that you can still see everything very
clearly. Because of Finland's location spanning around the Arctic Circle the
nights near the midsummer day are short or non-existent. This is a great time
for sunset/sunrise pictures!
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| Midnight! |
-Camilla
