Another country….

We are in the ferry to yet another country. #6 of 8 for his trip.  We are going to Estonia. Although it wasn’t part of the original plan, we wanted to stay in Helsinki, but because most Fins are out in the countryside we decided to go on the optional execursion. So we are off to Estonia right now. 

Midsummer is a HUGE holiday in Sweden and Finland.  It’s a non-religious holiday, but we were told it is as big or even bigger than Christmas.  

We’re told it is to celebrate the summer; as most Fins/Sweds align with the Lutheran church, most are not regulars. Rather they spend time in nature seeking their relief. It’s said that those in Scandinavia pay money to the church for the future, they don’t go there for the present.   It is interesting that we are just beginning summer in the US yet here they are 1/2 way through it already. We’ve notice many hours of sunlight and few of total darkness. Even the monks who are expected to fast sunrise to sunset got a special dispensation to not follow that schedule. 

Here’s a picture of some Sweds at the central station on Midsummer day.