Peace and quiet

When we crossed the border into Finland we noticed a real difference. Helsinki (1 million) was markedly different to Russia, so much more peaceful and relaxed. Still, as we adjusted, we realised that we were still in a big city, with city life and its stresses. Yesterday after putting our visa application in at the the Russian consulate (and a 3 hour wait), we headed north to the smaller city of Tampere (300 000). We stayed with Mika in his house, which is so much more spacious than a flat.

Today we have come up to a cottage that Mika owns on his mother's farm. It is 2 hours further north from Tampere. We will spend a week here before heading back to Helsinki and then Russia. We will be back in Krasnoyarsk on October 8th.

It is so much easier to accomplish tasks here in Finland. Today, we were able to buy train tickets to Helsinki and plane tickets from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk, and take Melody's ring to the jeweler for repair, and do some shopping and get groceries, all within one day. This would take 3-4 days in Russia!

We will enjoy our peaceful rest and will fall even further behind with emails as we call up with some good books in front of the fire place. Sorry, for our incognito nature over the last few weeks. Please be patient with us when we get back, we will not have internet straight away.