First Impressions

Yesterday, Friday, we arrived in Helsinki after our very long, tiring flights. Even though we were extremely tired, our bus ride through the city was still interesting and beautiful. We had a wonderful guide on our bus tell us many Finnish facts and showed us the sights. We first stopped at a monument of steel pipes – about 600 of them – symbolizing the life of Jean Sibelius, the famous Finnish composer who wrote the Finnish hymn, Finlandia. After taking a group picture in front of the pipes, we got back onto the bus and our guide played the Finnish hymn for us. I liked it a lot. It was mysterious sounding, but at the same time very beautiful. Throughout the whole ride, we saw lots of statues of different famous, inspiring people. There was one of the man who founded the old Finnish currency, the Mark; one of a lady surrounded by seals, symbolizing Finland’s “rise out of the sea.” There were many others, but I can’t remember what all they were for. My favorite statue was the one of Alexander II, with four other statues below him. One symbolized law, facing the Govern’s Palace. Another was peace, facing the Lutheran Cathedral. Another was enlightenment, facing the sun. The last was labour, facing the University. I thought this was really cool, how every statue in the middle of the square meant something about the buildings it faced. We also got to look around the Cathedral. It was so amazing beautiful inside, with long chandilers, a gigantic organ, and a picture of Christ. While inside, the tour guide told us the choir could sing. The sound in there was nothing I’ve ever got to experience while singing. After every stop in our song, the sound echoed off the wall just enough to give me goosebumps.

Lydia Stucki
Chamber Choir - Alto
Saturday, March 26, 2011 2:32 pm



We finally made it to Finland! The planes rides were exhausting, but fun nonetheless. The flight to Germany was particularly enjoyable, as there was another group of high school band students from Chicago on there. The section I sat in was primarily high school music nerds, and it was awesome! They mixed us all together a bit, so we got to make new friends!
Finland (and Europe in general) is quite different from MN. The people don’t show as much emotion, and it’s very obvious that we are silly Americans. Everyone looks European, too, but I’m not quite sure why that is. I think it’s the way they hold and present themselves, how confident they always seem. They also dress differently; men wear scarves and sweater! I love it! I haven’t seen any man capris yet, but I think that’s because it’s too cold here so far. The weather is pretty much like MN, and I swear we’re in Duluth, not Finland, It’s only just starting to register that we’re actually in Finland! Yay!
P.S. No Dacia Sandero’s yet. Still on the lookout. Lots of Audis, BMWs, and Volkswagon’s though. :)

Claire Volna
Jazz Band - trumpet
Saturday, March 26, 2011 14:55



In Salo now... The kids are now on their way home with their hosts. Things are going very well!
Sat., March 26, 4:34 pm

Some pics and videos to come soon.