Lappeenranta

Since I'm feeling homesick for my new home today, I thought I might write my promised tribute to Lappeenranta, Finland.

I've spent a total of about four months there, and I love and appreciate it for the small, calm,quiet, beautiful city that it is. It is the perfect size and population density, the likes of which I have never experienced here in the eastern U.S. It is the perfect combination of society and solitude, of natural beauty and convenience.



Lappeenranta lies on Lake Saimaa. My husband's apartment (soon to be mine, too, I guess) is quite close to the harbor area where, in the summertime, there are meat pies and terraces and lots of good beer and cider. There's also a beach for regular doses of swimming and sunbathing.



Which brings me to something characteristic of all of southern Finland: the never ending summer dusk. There is a real novelty to walking around at midnight when the sun is still lighting the sky a bit. Someday I'll make it north and witness a more dramatic version of this phenomenon.

But summer is quick and then comes the cold and the snow. But the winters in Lappeenranta are less severe than you might think, and for a (southern) New Englander, it's not terribly different from what I'm used to. In fact, I suspect I will prefer it. This has primarily to do with the fact that I won't need to drive in it, since much of the stuff I need to access is within walking distance, and there's plenty of public transportation should I need it. [Tangent: I'm tired of constantly fretting about car and driving related issues in any case. "What is wrong with it? Why is it making that squealing/clunking/grinding noise? How much will it cost to fix it? Why is the price of gas skyrocketing again? Why the hell didn't I buy those studded tires when I had the chance?" It'll all be moot. I'm done with cars. I don't need them.]



Just as it's light in the summer, it's also dark in the winter. I like it, though. It's as if it gives you permission to hide inside, drink a lot of warm beverages, eat salmon at Cafe Isaak, and see to writing that novel you always said you were going to write but were too distracted to even attempt. There is plenty of time for being out in the world in summer, and winter is time for an indoor hibernation. That prospect might depress a lot of people, but I find it pleasing.



That doesn't mean that winter isn't beautiful, however. Quite the contrary; it's picturesque. There are always days on which you'll venture out for a walk, eat something warm at a cafe or a restaurant, and head back home, enjoying the winter scene that surrounds you.



Oh, and the people. They're always incredibly kind and accommodating to this non-Finnish speaking American. I can't wait until I'm a Finnish speaking American so that I might better communicate with them. They certainly made the decision to start a life there much easier.

And, as a last word, check out LappeenrantaNYT, a website my husband helped create. It might only be useful to you if you speak Finnish, but if you're in the Lappeenranta area, you might enjoy taking a look.