Wednesday, September 26

Twenty-fifth week in Finland

This week, I had a pleasant surprise. I wanted to visit the Viking Village in Rosala the last week, but it was closed. In fact, I received a message from Sanna, who told me that she had called the Viking Village so that I can visit it. They told her that a tour group is better than a visit for someone alone. So, she makes sure that all pupils visited the Viking Village  with me! I'm really happy.
In these pictures the history and creeds of the Vikings were represented.

A small reconstitution of the Viking Age, with costume, weapons and shield, and the labyrinth. A fun time for everybody...
We also visit the traditional buildings: the typical home, the church dedicated where modern people come to get married, and the main building of the village, where was made ​​all diplomatic acts, deals and village festivals of yore.
This reminds me good memories ... 
Then we returned to school, where we had the circus workshop in the afternoon. Thank you very much Sanna, one more time, for this epic day!
Apparently, I gave the desire to Miss McAbre to refine her Swedish, and it looks like she love school benches!
I also spent some days to Pia's place for finnish the application for the project that I want to have In réunion for next year. There is actually her project, with intersting people from Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Estonia... I hope I haven't forgot some countries! Is a beautiful place, with very good apples, nice and crazy dogs. I also made a fireshow for them. Thanks Pia!

Wednesday, September 19

Twenty-fourth week in Finland

This week I have been once again to Rosala. I took the boat very early in Vänö for go to Kasnäs, where I took the boat to go to Rosala. I wanted to visit the Viking village, that is there, but it was closed. Anyway, I had a great time with the kids making juggling balls and circus workshop. We will start next week to prepare the Christmas show. The system of education is exotic for me and it looks good... To take off the shoes before entering the classroom, there are not too many pupils, several classes work together in one room, there is no fence around the school and during the break they are not supervised.
I came back to Vänö during the week, where I helped Joakim to take away the little sailing boats from the harbor, to put them in the shed for the next summer.
We received Severo and Davide in visit in Vänö, two Italians who came with Pia and Eelin for a visit, a great sauna, and also because they need some help to prepare a project with Youth In Action Program in Italy... I hope to go there one more time!
It was necessary to do the inventory of Vänö's T-shirts and put them in order, a small thing really needed.
At this time, Miss McAbre has lot of work with the project we want to prepare in Réunion Island for next year, she works late during the night ... and doesn't sleep during the day contrary to what I thought!

Wednesday, September 12

Twenty-third week, Italy second part, Finland

For this second part of my trip to Italy, I saw a procession in the village of Certaldo, where, in the evening they moved a relic to the old town. The next day, I visited Florence, with its huge cathedral, statues, street markets and Ponto Vecchio. I also participated in the local tradition, to touch the nose of the boar and put a coin in his mouth for good luck
The next day, I went to San Gemignano with its towers and street artists. I ate the best ice cream in Italy, until proven otherwise, and I also saw a museum of torture ... strange feeling. Miss McAbre was really happy to see all these street artists.
For the last day of the visit, we drove visited the area. The landscapes of Tuscany, with its hills and solitary trees are significant. But the highlight was the discovery of the hot calcareous baths. I have no words to explain it, it is something that everyone should see and feel at least once in their life ...
Bagni di San Filippo.
Grazie mille one more time Ebo, this smiley guy, Stefano’s friend, who hosted me with an extreme kindness in Certaldo. I hope to see you again. And a lot of thanks too to Stefano, Eelin and her family for giving me the opportunity for this travel.
Return in Finland... The program for this autumn and beginning of winter, will be largely to do circus workshop in different schools and kindergartens, and to take Swedish courses. During this period I will be often in Kimito in the mainland, and I know fewer people there than in Vänö... I am a little bit afraid.


Wednesday, September 5

Twenty-second week, Italy first part



This week, I have prepared my trip to Italy. I spent the first 2 days in Rome, where I visited the city, trevi fountain, Colosseum and different places. The city is full of tourists, street artists and the Italian people are nice. It is a beautiful city, very green, where ancient, medieval, renaissance and modernity  mingle together.
I was able to visited the Vatican. Long, very long corridors, with a quantity of statues, painting, on the wall and ceiling too, a museum of ancient egypt and mythical and realistic animals statues. I also saw the Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the central place, surrounded by four rows of columns. An impression of magnificence without any special feeling... Just beautiful and vast.
I met an Italian, Paolo, who proved an extreme generosity to accomodate me to his home and show me the city. Grazie mille, nuovamente.
Rome, it was also a nice moment to drink my favorite beer, a Guinness, which I missed since the last time in Paris. As you see, Miss McAbre really enjoys the food here, she said napolitan pizza is the best...