Mikko and Grasse

My mind has been shaken; there is a new meaning in there to describe the word: Summer! And being in Finland with my beloved, his family and friends, allowed me, not only to understand what summer is, but living and feeling it to create my new definition!

Summer is smiley faces; is gazing at new venues but same ones, after the snow; is morning flowers, dreams come true, early morning biking time and promises of eternal love…

Summer is Isokari Island, its purple flowers joining the white sand by the shore; where the fresh and blue waters of the Baltic Sea bathed my feet; where a rocky and narrow path surrounded by green bushes, flowers and trees, walked holding hands, guides you to meet its old and historical lighthouse, and its 180 steps to get to the top, allow you to stare the beauty of the sea, lakes and forest around it! Unforgettable moment! The magic of this lighthouse is wrapping, and the way of it has been working since 1833 gives an example of strength and perdurability, as its ancient rocks by the shore do as well…as witnesses of promises made.

Summer is light; sun light that seems endless; is yellow or colourful fields by the road, or fields where by chance, you are able to look at a couple of elks walking quietly, or a rabbit, or many balls of hay. Summer is blue skies dotted by slow-white clouds; is trees with happy dancer leaves; is exciting birdwatching towers, swans, and seabirds, their babies learning to swim or fly; is gulls and swifts making their sounds. Summer is new life or a battle between mosquitoes and humans.

Summer is small beaches crowded by playful kids, and no-aged men and women lying down under the sun; people biking in everywhere, or biking 80kms to meet their loved ones; is enjoy an ice-cream or coke by Aura river or run up a Turku´s hill. Summer is an interesting walk among Finnish history in a Medieval performed market; its green apples covered by coconut candies; is the sweetest strawberries or cherries bought ever; is sharing a hammock in parents´ place; summer is never bedtime.

Summer is new friends and old friends; is sharing time with them and their families at their places or summerhouses, cooking or enjoying new meals; games with kids; a first time of a delicious rhubarb pie; and learning new Finnish words; is summer sauna moments, even the hot days; is discovering the beauty of Högsåra, a blueberry pie, and a bird visiting a head; is flowers and breakfasts in balconies; is listen to them for a first time about the special wood used to build saunas; is cleaning of rugs with friends by rivers or beaches; is exciting football games or badminton; its wins and losts.

Summer is family time travelling in caravan car, sharing and keeping wonderful memories in their hearts; is sharing games and laughs before go sleeping; matching color t-shirts and bracelets; is many stops by the road in interesting, beautiful and historical towns. Summer is Hanko and its sparkly beverage at the parents’ friends boat; pesto and margarita pasta shared in a restaurant by the harbour; a half-heart necklace shared by parents; a bicycle fix, a bloody pant, four bikers guided for an expert reader map, enjoying many hours along lovely paths surrounded by ancient rocks; different and expensive sandwiches; songs; beaches; smiles and stunning landscapes from a water tower.

Summer is childhood memories of caravan cars in Flintstones and Jogi bear cartoons…summer is a first time caravan car trip. Summer is Porvoo and its exciting birdwatching tower, where birds were in holiday; its historical and famous wooden red houses by the river; its mango and “ron con pasas” ice creams before lunch; its recovered magic of taking pictures; its jumps in green fields dotted by white flowers; is a peaceful family walk in its narrow streets or be surprised by a quickly hedgehog running on them; is white candles showing the pain of the loved ones lost. But also, summer is visiting the loved ones, uncles and grandparents; is losing the breath when you look at huge sand sculptures made by artist of many countries in Lappeenranta, or gaze at the powerful release of waters, close to the Russian border; or just the beauty of calm dark waters furrowed by ducklings in Rauma.

Summer is long roads travelled; old sea towns, islands, and first scary swimming time in lakes; summer is amazing hiking time at Koli´s trails, its breathtaking landscapes and blueberries bushes; its hills sheltered by thousands of pines, gorgeous birds melodies; huge lakes showing off their little green islands; summer is a sunset, a colourful sky painted by the sun and its magical light.

Summer is time of non-nights…multicolour fields…love…smiley faces…light clothes…biking and much more!!!