Finland has been loads of fun! We are in Lahti right now, and tomorrow we will leave for Kuopio where the races will be. We all came in two days ago, and since then we have been skiing on the World Cup trails at Lahti and wandering around the city. Yesterday we classic skied and were amazed when we drove into the venue and immediately saw three enormous ski jumps. I have never been close enough to a ski jump to really be able to see how high it actually is. Before the ski we took photos of the ski jump and the cross-country stadium; it is amazing, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of seats in the stands surrounding the stadium! We then found a wax room and put on a couple layers of green kick wax. We didn’t need much wax since the temperature has been around 17*C (which is in the single numbers in Fahrenheit). The trails are really nice. We had a very enjoyable ski through the pine forests of Finland. Yesterday for lunch we went to a place called Hesburger, it was pretty funny because none of us knew what the menu said so we all pretty much pointed to a picture and asked for that burger. I don’t know what the waitress was thinking about us. We then wandered through the city to the mall and exchanged some money and did a little shopping. For dinner we went to a pizza place that was quite interesting. I’m not sure I’ll have Finnish pizza again. Most of us have been sleeping well despite the time change, and have been able to sleep through the night.br /This morning we had breakfast in our hotel which is amazing! It is a buffet with three different sections, one for sandwiches, one for hot food, and one for cereals. It is so delicious! Today we went skating at Lahti. I had such a beautiful ski. Finland is pretty much rows upon rows of pine trees, but they are gorgeous. They are all laden with snow and then the sun shines through them and creates a soft glow on the snow. The trails snake through the forest and just go on and on. I’m not sure how many kilometers there are, but it must be a lot. After the ski we went into the lodge and wandered around the ski museum. They have the history of Finnish skiing from 450 BC until now, and they have all these old skis and boots and poles. Now we are back at the hotel and are about to have some lunch. Oh, and our new favorite word is kiitos, it means thank you, but we use it everywhere since it’s the only word we know! Here are some pictures. For more information and pictures go to usaj1team.blogspot.combr /Isabelbr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rmxn0IS1I/AAAAAAAACEo/ANVEGkwlaJQ/s1600-h/100_6015.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rmxn0IS1I/AAAAAAAACEo/ANVEGkwlaJQ/s200/100_6015.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429906040924162898″ //abr /1)Bridger standing in front of the stands, all of those are just for cross-country skiing!br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rmQsegj2I/AAAAAAAACEg/dBsIjOC7__c/s1600-h/100_6018.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rmQsegj2I/AAAAAAAACEg/dBsIjOC7__c/s200/100_6018.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429905475239972706″ //abr /2)The three big ski jumps, there are three other small ones outside of the stadium.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rl4QzD1hI/AAAAAAAACEY/uyNN00exmMU/s1600-h/100_6019.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rl4QzD1hI/AAAAAAAACEY/uyNN00exmMU/s200/100_6019.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429905055493117458″ //abr /3)The group in front of the stadium, they are taking pictures of the ski jumps.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rlk0swOcI/AAAAAAAACEQ/5wessHycZlA/s1600-h/100_6021.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rlk0swOcI/AAAAAAAACEQ/5wessHycZlA/s200/100_6021.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429904721532959170″ //abr /4)Will and David.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rlPBN7COI/AAAAAAAACEI/-5f2gI89Kog/s1600-h/100_6035.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rlPBN7COI/AAAAAAAACEI/-5f2gI89Kog/s200/100_6035.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429904346936183010″ //abr /5)The 130 meter ski jump.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rk17Ie7kI/AAAAAAAACEA/x6lmuSnUM4o/s1600-h/100_6037.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rk17Ie7kI/AAAAAAAACEA/x6lmuSnUM4o/s200/100_6037.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429903915806027330″ //abr /6)It is quite chilly here!br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rkcsY7zxI/AAAAAAAACD4/5_xw09KDcqg/s1600-h/100_6041.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rkcsY7zxI/AAAAAAAACD4/5_xw09KDcqg/s200/100_6041.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429903482351767314″ //abr /7)Hesburger, the restaurant where we ate lunch.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rkA0mdLLI/AAAAAAAACDw/tish7iq9dfo/s1600-h/100_6045.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rkA0mdLLI/AAAAAAAACDw/tish7iq9dfo/s200/100_6045.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429903003519626418″ //abr /8)Our awesome vans.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rjfpSq4BI/AAAAAAAACDo/xJ8iAvqp1F0/s1600-h/100_6047.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rjfpSq4BI/AAAAAAAACDo/xJ8iAvqp1F0/s200/100_6047.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429902433548165138″ //abr /9)Bridger trying on a stylish Finnish hat.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rjDmBs6VI/AAAAAAAACDg/cx8vpffqq8A/s1600-h/100_6084.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1rjDmBs6VI/AAAAAAAACDg/cx8vpffqq8A/s200/100_6084.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429901951635351890″ //abr /10)Taking a break on one of the many bridges.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1riyVCugWI/AAAAAAAACDY/3mD9gWHCM1U/s1600-h/100_6086.JPG”img style=”float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/S1riyVCugWI/AAAAAAAACDY/3mD9gWHCM1U/s200/100_6086.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429901655018471778″ //abr /11)Skiing over the road.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-4674919169842975920?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div
