TAMPERE

After we picked up the rental car we went to Kirsti's place, where we packed our bags and prepared for the reminder of our trip. Our rental car did not have as much room as we had had in the van we borrowed earlier, so we decided to leave couple of our bags to Kirsti's place.

Once we got our Toyota Prius packed, we headed to Tampere to visit my cousin over the weekend.

We had a wonderful visit with her family. On Saturday Jason took all the kids to Särkänniemi amuzement park, only Kai stayed behind, because he still was suffering from a bad cough. 

Angry Birds was created in Finland. I have noticed during this trip that it is very popular here...you can find all kinds of Angry Bird stuff from here.

Katri and I visited a sister feom a local LDS ward, who taught us how to make Riisipiirakoita, Karelian rice pies. She showed us how to use a pasta machone, instead of rolling pin. I am pretty sure I need to get a pasta machine as soon as I get back!

We had a tradional sauna on Saturday night. My cousins have a real woodburning sauna stove. It was definetely a wonderful sauna night. We got all cleaned up for church next morning.

We attended Tampere first ward on Sunday morning. Years ago I served part of my mission in Tampere. It was nice to see some familiar faces, and meet some new people as well. I ended up translating the Relief Society to one of the visitors from Holland (i translated it in English), and I learned later that she was one of the actors from a movie, My Best Two Years.

I also volunteered to play piano for Relief Society, because they were missing their piano player. It was so nice to be able to help and participate. I love that always.

After church we enjoyed a lunch Katri and her husband had cooked for us, potatoes and salmon. So good.  I always love visitng her home, and spending time at their home. They have such a warm, lovely feeling at their home. After lunch, we once again packed our car and headed to Jyväskylä next, a town about three hours away, to visit my other cousin....but more about that in my next entry.

Maija and Markus sleeping on our way to Jyväskylä.