Driving in Oulu

As each day goes on I get more and more agitated by the driving I encounter in Oulu. Either I am just getting older or the driving being taught by driving schools in Finland is getting more and more shoddy.

I think it is the latter as what I observe are the violation of basic principles of driving.

Car drivers must always be in a position that they do not impede the progress of cars that are either in front of or behind them. Today's drivers conveniently forget that there are cars behind them as they take their positions in lanes.

When one approaches a point in the road where one is turning left or right, the positioning of a car on the road, if possible, should be to try to leave sufficient room for cars to pass by, in case, the car turning is somehow delayed by on-coming traffic or pedestrians crossing the road who have right of way.



A typical cross-road is one in Oulu where one has to turn left in the face of on-coming traffic. Some drivers do not proceed to the centre of the crossing. If there are no on-coming cars driving straight on, they can turn left. Even if there are on-coming cars who are signalling that they are turning right, they can complete the trn to the left, especially as there is a double lane to allow each car to keep its correct lane when turning.

By not doing this, just one car may get through during a Green Light session. Whereas, by correct positioning and following what the on-coming traffic is doing, it is possible for about 8 to 9 cars to get through in the same time.

This bad driving results in a huge back-log of cars. It reflects bad driving training.

Turning right at a T-Junction

In another instance, where cars turning left do not position themselves to the extreme left of their lane, they block traffic behind them which wants to go straight on! This again causes a back-up of traffic which can block another side-road. This auses a road jam along the main road, right up to the traffic light.

Oulu is a small town, and most of us are not in a hurry. But we like to see that good behaviour is practised by all drivers.

On the other hand, maybe I am just getting OLD! :-)

Democracy is just an IMAGE in Oulu

(Cross-posted on the CHAFF Blog.)

I was busy all day today and did not have time to browse the Kaleva, our local nwewspaper, in much detail. When I returned from the physiotherapy session of our son, Mika, I settled down to watch one of the few TV programmes that I do watch, “Murder She Wrote”.

Annikki was busy attending to her mother. When she had given her mother her food, she joined me in the living room and asked whether I had seen a small news item in the newspaper about how the students in Oulu had been disallowed to carry out a public protest in Oulu or to set up a information tent or display banners as the Image of City of Oulu as an International City with the coming of summer would be “damaged”.

My blood boiled, just as much as Annikki’s, when I heard this.

I had just spoken to my good friend Ilari Sohlo who is in touch with the Student World, but he had not mentioned this protest. So I rang back, but he did not answer his mobile.

Then Ilari rang back. When I told him about this, he said he had missed this news item as he was busy with a seminar presentation. He immediately looked up the web and found the protest was to be between 12:00 noon and 16:15 in Rotuari, the central walking street of Oulu.

I looked at my watch, and it was just turning 16:05. I decided to make a dash to the city to see if I could catch up with some of the student leaders behind this protest.

On my way, Ilari sent me a text message giving me the name of the main Organiser, Milja Seppälä and her contact phone number.

When I reached the town centre, it was past 16:15. I noted that the protest was over and the students had packed up and gone home. So I rang Milja and had a word with her.

I asked her whether Oulu was becoming like the US where, if one needed to protest, then it had to be in “Free Speech Zones”.

Milja said she hoped that this was not so.

I then asked her for the rationale behind the City not giving the students the right to carry out a public protest. She told me that it was because it could damage the reputation of the City as an International City, especially with the onset of summer!

I was horrified.

I asked Milja whether she had any pictures of the protest for this blog entry. Sadly she did not have any and as she was just about to enter into a meeting, she had to end our interview.

I was really mad as I drove home. I told Annikki the outcome of the visit to the city and my conversation with Milja. She was just as mad as me and she immediately queried whether Democracy in Finland was going to be just an IMAGE?

I wonder whether this protest demonstration in London made that city less of an International City than Oulu?

Protest in London

Or did this protest in Paris make it less of an International City than Oulu?


Paris Student Protest

Is it not strange that we were allowed to carry out a protest in Oulu against the Iraq War but students could not carry out a protest about their student grants?


Iraq War Protest in front of
Oulu City Hall, Picture by Jacob Matthan

This is not the first time we have come across this issue of safegaurding and polishing the “Image of Oulu” by corrupt Oulu bureaucrats.

In the forerunner to this Blog, our popular internet fortnightly FINDIANS BRIEFINGS Volume No: 05 Issue No. 01 - - 28th January 1998 had this item Analysis - Journalist Pimps

When we exposed the strategy of Oulu City bureaucracy to get favourable stories in International newspapers and magazines published by Journalist Pimps, we were called to the office of the Oulu Economic Affairs Office to try to convince us that Oulu was really a great city as had been reported by these "bribed" journalist.

We concluded then:

“To cut a long story short, our meeting with Mr. Seppo Mäki ended when we asked him that if he wanted to tell the truth or just to promote a set of half-truths about our city. We compliemented him on the great job he is doing but sadly what is being done is just polishing the Finnish image in public, while underneath it stinks to the high heaven.

Sadly, Mr. Mäki is very efficient in his job. The Finnish newspapers then feed the gulible Finns with a dose of their own city handouts routed through the gulible international press as if they emanated from these great journalists. These are not journalists, but in our opinion, but glorified pimps.”

The situation between 1998 and 2006 has not changed one bit. The City of Oulu is still run by a set of CORRUPT OFFICIALS.

Students in Oulu - Are you going to stand by your principles or be brow-beaten and your natural rights trampled by your “political masters”. If the latter, forget that you live in a democracy! If these people are your "political servants" as they should be as they are in your pay - then tell them exactly what you think of their actions.

The answer lies in your hands - not theirs!

Cut short

Annikki and I were under the impression that Annikki's mother would only be back tomorrow from the Old People's Home. Annikki had her heart set on going to beach to look for some stones.

We had a busy afternoon. After her usual visit to two of her favourite Flea Markets, I parked the car in Stockman and while Annikki did her shopping I visited a couple of friends coffee shops and chit-chatted with them.

As I was walking down the Walking Street, I saw a foreigner giving out UNICEF literasture. I struck up a conversation with him. I had not met him before but I soon learnt that I had heard of his wife (Mervi Heikkinen) and he had heard of me. Brent Cassidy, an American of Irish Origin, has lived in Finland for 8 years, having come to Finland along with a group of North Carolina students. Go to his interesting web site.

Brent and friends have Live Traditional Irish Music sessions every other Sunday beginning at 17:00/ 5:00 p.m. in St. Michael's Irish Pub located on Hallituskatu 13-17 in Oulu City Center. Free Entry. The sessions are open for other musicians to join in and play with them.

Brent was greatly disappointed that he did not know of today's Best Buy at the Kaijonharju Shopping Centre as he had reached my Best Buy Blog page only after the event.

As we were chatting, along came Fumi, Ville Suomi's Japanese better half, on a shopping expedition. And as we were talking, along came a Nigerian student.

Soon we had a warm conversation till we all decided it was time to break it up and get on with our lives.

When I went into Stockman to wait for Annikki, there was an Indian couple with their young son, whom I know. He works for WIPRO. So again I was quickly in the midst of a conversation till Anniikki arrived.

Annikki decided she had a few more things to buy in Stockman. Just when she was on her way back to me, she bumped into another old friend, Leila Kerola, whose son, Antti, had studied with Mika. The whole Kerola family have become good close friends.

It appears that it is impossible to walk around Oulu without meeting many many people with whom we have much in common!

When we got home, Annikki decided that she would put her feet up for a few minutes before going to the beach - when the phone rang. It was the Old People's Home telling us that Hilja was ready to come home.

I had messed up my calendar.

So off we went to bring her home - and it is back to the tough routine for the next three weeks.

Every day gets more hectic

(Cross-posted on the Oulu CHAFF Blog.)

Sunday was no exception.

I was already out of the house early to see my car mechanic, Reijo, to pay him for my tyres.

(Hot news:
For Sale:
Opel Kadett - 1987 Euro 700, MOT'd till August;
Volkswagen Passat - 2002 Euro 22,000 (about 120000 km on the clock;
Wanted: A good diesel 5 seater car in the price range of Euro 1000 - 1500.
Contact me for details.)

I went to see the master Pizza "Taikina" Maker, Zambian Kamutaza Tembo, demonstrate his skills.

Kamu demonstrating making pizza "taikana" balls

Kamu can make 120 of these balls, from which the pizza base is rolled, in just 15 minutes!

Then I picked up some CHAFF participants. The CHAFF meeting was much larger this week than I had expected.

(It would be nice if you could call in to the Restaurant and tell them if you are coming so they can make the Thai / Chinese buffet suit your taste - especially if you are a vegetarian or have special dietary needs. The hosts know all present CHAFF participants who have taken part so far and know their tastes - spicy, mild, vegetarian, etc.!)

We had two newcomers brought by our regular Kenyan participant, David Okele. Business management students from Kenya, Cleo and Joel, are also sportsmen, one being a 5 km runner and the other a keen footballer.


New CHAFF participants from Kenya
Cleo and Joel with me

They showed us some superb Kenyan Bead Art in the form of bracelet.


Kenyan Bead Art

For someone who takes almost half-an-hour to thread a needle, this was simply superb.


German speaking CHAFF participants,
Ildikó (Hungary), Pailin (Thailand) and Kerstin (Germany)


Michela (Slovakia), Anais (France), Ilari (Finland) and Ildikó (Hungary)

I introduced (orally) some of the more athletically minded CHAFF participants, including Kerstin (Germany), to the super-action sport of Thai Sepak Takraw (Kick Volleyball), a fast paced game requiring agility. Top international football stars hone their ball contol skills using this sport.

The court and net are of the same height and dimensions as in badminton. A team (Regu) consists of 3 members. Two regus compete by spiking a ball into the opponent's court. Most of the same rules apply as for volley ball, with the following main exceptions:

- players are prohibited from using their hands & arms;
- a player can touch the ball up to 3 times consecutively;
- the players' positions on the court need not be rotated;
- net serves (falling within the boundary) are accepted.

A rattan ball is served from the corner.


Takraw rattan ball

The striker kicks the ball over the net. You can use any part of your body except your arms and hands. If you're not used to playing and you strike the ball with your head it will hurt! It really helps if you are flexible. The back kick is the most exciting move when the strike spikes the ball while doing a back flip!!

A match is composed of 3 sets. The first regu to score 21 points wins a set. The first regu winning two sets wins the match. In either set, if both regus are tied, 20 - 20, play continues until one regu wins by 2 points, up to a ceiling of 25 points. If each regu wins one set out of the first two, then the third set is played and is called the "Tiebreak". The Tiebreak only goes up to 15 points, but again a regu must win by 2 points, up to a ceiling of 17.

Pailin was trying to say that takraw was unladylike! This picture sequence shows a lady in the process of serving in a Ladies Takraw tournament. Women probably play the game faster and better than men!


Women's Takraw - Service

We have some very talented young Thai Takraw players here in Oulu. The Thai Pailin Restaurant is planning to launch a Takraw Club.


Women's Takraw game in progress

If you are interested contact the restaurant will organise for training sessions if sufficient number of people are interested.

Warning - Do not try this game unless you are intending to be really PHYSICALLY FIT.

As Pentti Paakki had to rush off for a GNLD Meeting, I dropped Matti Moisa home to Haukipudas. He stopped along the way to show me the oldest pine tree in Oulu - over 300 years old!


300 year old Salt Pine tree at Kaskila


Two antiques of Oulu!

I then went to see Soda play football. His side won 2 -0 but Soda did not see much of the ball!


Cold and windy evening football in Oulu

I returned to the Pailin Restaurant to pick up food for Annikki and Mika. I was pleasantly surprised to see an old friend from the University, Peruvian Manuel with his elder son, Daniel, having a pizza at the restaurant.


Peruvians in Oulu, Manuel and Daniel

Manuel has been in Oulu for 21 years (I have been here 22 years) and he was a student in Oulu University in the Electrical Engineering Department when I was working in the Microelectronics Laboratory. Today, Manuel works in Oulu for a large US Corporation and is married to a girl from Peru. Besides Daniel, they have another baby boy, Miguel.

As I was finally driving home after this busy day, I had a panic call from Annikki. She had not seen me all day. I reassured her that good hot and spicy Thai / Chinese food was on the way home!

All was forgiven! :-)

This time it is my Sunday Puzzle

What do you see in this picture - 3 zigzag lines?

Or what?



I wanted to put a more difficult one, but I am trying to work out how I can do it. So till next Saturday, stay well.

Sunday was even more hectic than Saturday - so stay tuned for an interesting entry tomorrow with lots of photographs including one of the oldest pine tree in Oulu!

Hectic Saturday

(Cross-posted on the Best Buy Blog and the CHAFF Blog.)

What a hectic day. The Saturday puzzle will appear tomorrow!

Here are some pictures that Joanna sent me today of Samuel and Daniel. The last one made me cry as Daniwel went down with gastroenteritis and it really shows in his face!

Daniel with flowers


Samuel, Daniel and Merran


Daniel is poorly

I left home at 6:30 am. I went to check out the discount at the SPAR Kaijonharju for my Best Buy Blog readers. When I arrived at 6:45 am, right across town, who should I see standing for the doors of the shop - Ilari and Ildikó.

They were a bit diasappointed as the discount was still only 30%, which is generally not good enough to merit a visit. Watch the Best Buy Blog so that you do not go on a wild goose chase. I do all the hard work for you!

The 50% discount at this shop will start at 7:00 am on Monday morning and by 8:00 am, the shop will be cleaned out. There will not be much to buy as most of the general goods are over already.

I went on to do my regular shopping, starting at Cassa in Rajakylä. I was there just before 8:00 am on saturday it opens at that time. (On weekdays Cassa opens at 7:00 am.)

Standing a few ten metres from me, as I waited for Cassa to open, there was a group of 4 men and they were drinking beer at that early hour.


Beer at 8:00 am!

Was I surprised?

Not really, as this is quite common behaviour among certain sections of the local population in Finland.

On my way back from Cassa I passeed this Bus Stand at Toppila.


Vandalism - Smashed Bus Stand

This is a degree of vandalism which is quite unusual for Oulu, Finland! Grafiti, yes; Smashing bus stands, No.

Today was such a beautiful day, I decided it was time to change from winter to summer tyres. I spent most of the morning cleaning the insides of the cars, vacuuming them and washing the carpets, etc,

Later in the evening I went to Reijo's Garage with the Kannan's SAAB. My back is too weak for me to attempt changing tyres.

Reijo changed the tyres and I had the car washed.


Reijo changes tyres on the SAAB


SAAB being washed

The best part of Reijo's work is that he even washes the tyres that he takes off, with high pressure water, making it easy to handle them at home without getting your hands or clothes dirty.

I then took the SAAB home and took the Ford Escort to change the tyres.

One look at my summer tyres meant that I had to change all of them. Reijo came to rescue and sold me 4 new radial tyres, for just Euro 215 for the set.


Reijo fits my new tyres in the hub

Reijo fitted the new tyres in the hub and balanced all of them, changed the tyres, and then washed the Ford. Reijo's good friend, Jussi, washed the tyres of the Ford.



And all that work of changing tyres on two cars, fitting and balancing the new tyres in the hubs, washing the two cars and washing the tyres - all for just Euro 40 with a smiling face!

Could there be a better BEST BUY?

A tough and long day with me returning for a great dinner of curry and rice followed by a long talk with Samu in Newcastle about the Chelsea - Liverpool FA Cup semifinal game and an even longer talk about the World Cup.

Samu has got a fabulous book with all the details of players, fixtures, officials of the World Cup. I am going to have a great time watching the World Cup with Samu here in Finland. I can refer to the expert grandson to get all the details!

My letter appears in The Nation

(Cross-posted on Jacob's Politics.)

The Nation is America's most respected Liberal magazine.

Recently they published an article "Lap Dogs of the Press" by Helen Thomas, the famed 86 year old journalist who is in the White House press Corps.

I wrote this letter to her, care-off The Nation which published her piece.

Dear Helen,

I have not emailed you for a long time but your stand in the White House and your powerful articles continue to inspire me almost daily. I did not want to wait till your next birthday to send you this one!

Way back in the early 50s, I learnt my basic journalism, when I was less than 10 years old, in the arms and at the feet of my grandfather, the doyen of Kerala, the late K. C. Mammen Mappillai.


The late K. C. Mammen Mappillai

Your recent article "Lap Dogs of the Press" certainly took me back to the days when he, and many other journalists, had to spend time in jail under trumped up charges for supporting the Indian National Congress and the Freedom Movement in India.

Gandhi, Nehru, are the well-known "journalists" that may spring to mind, but it was the small fearless newspaper editors and their journalists, like my grandfather, that had to undergo much hardship to educate their readers. Without them and their locally "respected" words, the messages of the freedom fighters would never have been heard by the masses.

Today, this 118 year old newspaper (THE MALAYALA MANORAMA) is the largest circulating one in India since some of the present editors are committed to the well-being of the people who make up its readership.

Thank you for this article which, to me, really raises the primary issue of where our journalists learn journalism, and how they practice it.

Let us hope that a few "journalists", like you, are produced in the years to come!

Best regards

Jacob

I was informed yesterday that The Nation had published an edited version of this letter in their May 8th 2006 issue, which was released online yesterday.

Unfortunately, you have to be subscriber to The Nation to read the letter online.

If it were not journalists like Helen Thomas, who fearlessly question those in power, the world would be headed for a totalitarian fascist society!

Asha and Susanna return to England

Annikki and I were very sad to see Asha, our granddaughter return to England this afternoon with her mother, daughter Susanna. We enjoyed Asha's company very much.

I enjoyed doing some of the things I had done over the years with grandson, Samuel, with Asha.

The last day was only spent at home as after packing. Susanna made sandwiches and other food to carry on the flight with them, as no food is offered on Blue1.

I managed to get a Marimekko shirt for Jaaako along with some of the things he likes from Finland - Rye Crisp bread, tar shampoo, Jordan toothbrushes, etc.

His friend, Ilari, sent a beautiful sweater for Jaakko. Susanna, however, refused to carry a packet of Indian bidis (spelt on the packet as BIRI) which Ilari wanted to send to jaakko. (A Biri is the paperless cheap Indian "cigarette" which the poor masses in India smoke.)

Packet of 50 Indian BIRIs

We went to the airport in real comfort as we used Kannan's SAAB. It really is a great car.

Susanna, Asha and Annikki after loading
the boot of Kannan's SAAB

At the airport we got a couple of snaps.


Susanna and Asha check in


The goodbye

Both Annikki and I are waiting for Asha's next visit.

Car Museum, Shopping, Chinese Food in Oulu

Ildikó and Ilari when they visited us on Tuesday evening
to see Asha and Susanna before they returned to England.

Wednesday was a busy day for all of us. I took Asha to the Oulu Auto Museum. It was cold in the museum so we had to go around seeing the cars, buses, fire engines, trucks and other vehicles at quite a rapid pace as Asha was not wearing a jacket.

The unfortunate part of the museum is that although it has many interesting and antique pieces, it is so poorly presented. There appears to be an intent to pack the vehicles so close to each other to get more vehicles intothe museum, that the visitor really does not have an opportunity to appreciate all the details of all the vehicles.

I found it almost impossible to explain the details to a 9 year old girl by just standing in front of a vehicle as if it were just a painting.

Susanna was at that moment doing some shopping for clothes for Asha sports at a store near the Museum. We joined her and then picked up some sports clothes which are not available in regular shops in England.

We picked up Annikki and went to Michelle's Chinese Restaurant, The Royal Garden, for lunch. This is undoubtedly the best Chinese restaurant in Oulu. I was not expecting Michelle to be ther, but she was, and she stayed and chatted with Annikki, Susanna, Asha and me, right through the meal - but she runs that restaurant like clockwork.


Asha with Michelle


Annikki & Susanna

The meal was simply superb.

After that we went shopping again, and Annikki had a regular jaunt to a couple of Flea Markets.

The evening was spent getting ingredients for Asha and Susanna to carry some food on the plane as there is lousy and expensive food aboard Blue1.

We then went to try and find some Marimekko shirts for Jaakko, but we did not find anything which he may like.

Woollen socks and Poppy seed cake

A few weeks ago I wrote about Annikki's sister visiting Oulu where she gave us presents of woollen socks.

Our elder daughter, Susanna, from England, was quick to contact Anneli and ask her to make her a pair.

Woollen socks for Susanna by Anneli

Susanna is now visiting us with her daughter, Asha. Yesterday, the post brought her this absolutely divine pair of woollen socks from Anneli, who lives in Masala just outside Helsinki in South Finland. We all ooed and aahed over the beautiful use of colours and the lovely little hearts knitted into the socks.

Yesterday, Asha, Soda and I went on a "quick" visit of the Geology Muesum in Oulu University. I am never bored to make visits to this outstanding museum. Sadly, we were the only visitors yesterday and looking at the Visitors Book, I was not really thrilled to see how little this beautiful presentation of stones and rocks from all around the world is being promoted.

Annikki and son, Jaakko, are rock and stone crazy. Susanna confessed that, like me, she cannot locate a gem when rumaging around the seashore, like they can.

This is a picture from almost exactly to the day 16 years ago, when Annikki, Joanna and I were holidaying in Lapland, thanks to some very nice teachers from Oulu who gave us the holiday as a present, for services rendered. (Joanna acted as their personal guide when they went on a visit to India. Annikki and I gave them the pre-visit talks of what to do and not do, and the essential introductory briefing.)



Annikki is at the signpost of the goldmine in Lapland. Joanna and she rumaged around for a long time looking for stones, while I watched.

Late last night Idikó and Ilari dropped in to share a bowl of soup, and meet up with Susanna and Asha.

Like me, Annikki thinks that Ildikó and Ilari are a really lovely couple. Annikki finds so much of her own past youthful dynamism in Ildikó. The difference is that Annikki is not a public person, myself being her alter ego presenting her viewpoint publicly. Ildikó does that herself with much poise and diplomacy, something I lack! I have little patience with people who deliberately ignore the facts.


Hungarian Poppy Seed Easter cake by Ildikó

Ildikó is so thoughtful as she came to share some absolutely delicious Easter Cake with us. It was made Hungarian Style, with real Hungarian Poppy seeds, and no flour whatsoever.

Why Oulu can never be a City of Culture

Yesterday was Easter Monday, a holiday.

I have my granddaughter, Asha, here from England. I wanted to show her some of the cultural highlights of Oulu!

Our first stop was the Auto Museum - Closed!

Our second stop was the Botanical Greenhouse which is part of Oulu University and normally is open to visitors - Closed!

Our third stop was the Geology Museum which is part of the Oulu University - Closed!

Finally, I settled on an Open Air Children's park near the beach - none of the snow from the park had been cleared, even though we are in the middle of spring.

Asha Nallikari Park 1


Asha Nallikari Park 2


Asha Nallikari Park 3

We visited the house of a Zambian friend, Kamurtaza tembo, where a Zambian Football Star was visiting, so that Asha could meet Zeddy Sailetti who plays football for Rovaniemi.


Asha and Zeddy

Finally, we went to a Turkish Pizzeria and then to Thai Restaurant to meet friends and get some food. I knew they would be OPEN.

It seems that only foreigners work in Oulu on a holiday!

European City of Culture - BAH!!!

The Ogre - A different face

Let a 9 year old loose with a comb and a camera on her grandpa - and this is what you get!













Later we had an evening stroll. The little young lady has boundless energy!







We are enjoying our granddaughter and desperately missing our grandsons!