The Mushroom Effect

This has been one of the most enjoyable Mondays I have had in a long time.  Today, the kids rode their bikes home from school with me driving a bit behind them on the road that paralells the bike path.  It is a real easy ride and they only have to cross a main road once.  Alayna played with a friend after school who mainly speaks Finnish.  It was fun seeing how the girls were able to play so well without speaking the same language.  We had fun pointing to things and giving the English name while she would then translate to Finnish.  The translation ap on my iPhone also facilitated our game and communication.  Tomorrow, we are going with our new friend to try out a "Track & Field" club for kids that she belongs to.

I met my teacher friend today and assisted in her 6th grade math class.  Upon my arrival, she shared with me some of her prized chanterelle mushrooms.  Chanterelles are a delicacy that only grow certain times of the year.  Mushroom hunters fiercely guard the secret location where they find this treasured fungus.  These golden beauties were delicious and unlike any mushroom I have ever tasted before.  

After the class, I met up with my American friend and toured the local gym.  It is small and basic, but I think it has everything I need.  I hope to make the gym part of my regular routine soon.  We caught up with my new friend's coffee group at a local cafe after touring the gym.  It was a unique group consisting of two local Finn women, my Brazilian friend, and two American women.  We enjoyed coffee and chatting for well over an hour.  We exchanged contact info and plan to make our get togethers a regular event.  We have even discussed having a bible study group and wine tasting night-not at the same time of course. 

I have only been in Finland a short time, but I feel my circle of friends has "mushroomed" with some truly unique and delightful people-and that is a real treasure!

Chanterelle mushrooms