Having a good time at Taivalkoski

Wednesday 14th May
Snowstorm, predators and swimming

This morning woke us up with a real snow storm. That was not even funny any more! Later there was only the very strong icy north wind, but also the sunshine. In the evening the weather was OK again - cold, but allowed us to spend our time outside. Well, the moody spring - but it is spring!

In spite of the weather, we started our trip towards Kuusamo, where the bears and other animals were waiting for us in the Kero park. That was a nice experience, which was made even better by the persons working with the animals. They gave us information in a very friendly and humorous way, and to see how they treated the animals was impressive.
There were bears, reindeers, lynx, a fox, wolves. But we couldn´t see the wolverine this time and this is a pity, because that crature is very exotic and weird.

After having snacks at Kero, we turned back home. In the afternoon we spent a wonderful time at the Herkko hotel. First we went swimming and playing waterball. After that we had a very delicious dinner and admired the fantastic view on the balcony.

Weather was quite nice now. So in the evening our Finnish friends taught us baseball. This game is new for most of our kids, but the Fins are experts and the Estonians could learn from them now.

Thursday 15th May

This morning  the Päätalo Institute was waiting for us.
The Illuka pupils learned about Kalle Päätalo and watched a short movie based on the Iijoki- sarja by Kalle Päätalo. That was a good experience again - to find out how important this person is in the Finnish culture and especially for the people of Taivalkoski.

Then there was a music lesson with Anu again.We sang together "Sininen ja valkoinen" and the song about singing away the winter! That was actual!

This is how our friends gratulated us on 24th February1 Kiitos!

Plays and games with 5A,6A, 6B, Kirsti ja Harri

A creative afternoon:
workshops in the art house and 4H-centre.

We could make souvenirs ourselves!

Something special to take home

The very special hours were spent in the art house where our very good friends Eeva-Kaisa and Jussi hosted and supervised us in their very hearty way. The athmosphere in the studio was so relaxing that some of us wished to stay longer there...

Discovering the secrets of aquarelle

A big thank to this house! Kiitos, Eeva-Kaisa ja Jussi!

 And now back to the common people´s life: huge pizzas at the Finlandiano!

Waiting patiently... or not

That was worth of waiting

Wow!

The end of the day - happily back home - or shopping or hanging or playing - feeling like home at Taivalkoski anyway!


Friday 16th May

The only day we had to take the plan B. It was raining all day, so unfortunately we couldn´ t go to the Taivalvaara. But our hosts had been thinking carefully and so variable indoors activities were organised and no one got bored.

In the afternoon we had plenty of time for having a rest, packing our suitcases and preparing for the farewell party (too bad!).

So before 6 am we looked beautiful, took our project products and entered the auditorium where we should spend our last evening together.
There was an exhibition of the project products, refrehsments for all the guests; and then the final speeches, final presentations, big thanks, big hugs and taking last photos. Happy and sad at the same time!

And that was it!
Back to our suitcases; getting up early in the morning , bye-bye, Taivalkoski and towards Oulu and meeting the growing spring during the trip. Tuula was with us like a good mother, gave us help by checking in at the airport and then was the last good bye. And Tuula and others got the weekend for them own!
We were lucky to fly back by the terrific weather - we could see clearly the landscapes and cities this time.
Most of us were back home at about 5 pm. So we had time enough to relax and then to prepare ourselves for the hard week. Oh, well, welcome back to the routine! But with positive memories which make us smile, no matter what problems we are facing.

By the way - the exams in the Estonian and English languages are happily over for now and the 7th grade was successful!

Now the Golden Touch project is over and we hope that we are not going to lose our contacts after those two meetings. Many of us are already quite good friends. The new ideas of collaboration should be possible to realise  easier  because we know each other and our home places much better now.

Many thanks for this week, for the huge patience and the tough work, good humour and lots of laugh:

Tuula Aino-Leena, Kirsti, Harri, Anu, Milla and all the others; and all the Finnish pupils who spent that week with us enthusiastically!
By the way- we manage to take the poster made by Finnish pupils  happily home and now we have it on the wall of the classroom. Thanks for that work, made with love!
You are all welcome at our place any time!

Suur kiitos!

Suur aitäh!