Helsinki

 We took a break from art and culture today and explored the outdoors. Helsinki is all about nature, hiking and camping, oh, and saunas.

A few of us got lucky and made it onto the coveted "Reindeer Excursion". After a short hike through woods covered in moss, we came to a reindeer camp and spent some quality time feeding the local reindeer herd.

Todd, our animal lover, took to the reindeer right away.

Coral had to warm up to them at first!

But she was soon feeding them like a pro.

And Marmaduke was clearly enjoying all the attention!

The rest of the party hiked another park. Along the way we picked wild blueberries, and saw the Finnish version of our Texas Bluebonnets. 

In Finland there is a law called "Every Man's Right." It says that every man has the right to enjoy the outdoors, even if that means on some one's private property. It is legal to hunt, fish, camp, hike, pick blueberries and flowers anywhere. The Finns are very proud of this law. As an American, though, I'm appalled! Can you imagine someone camping on your own land!