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!

Happy Easter, Chinese style...

(Cross-posted on the CHAFF Blog.)

I woke up late, not because it is Easter Sunday, but because, last night, we enjoyed a great Chinese meal, cooked by a dear friend, at home.

So, a belated Happy Easter to all of you.

Tingting is just 21 years old. She is a personality whom, once you meet, you will not forget. She has a brain which works like a computer - items get saved onto it like a hard disk and it churns away to get the right result.

I met Tingting about six months ago at a CHAFF meeting. We have become fast friends. She Skype's or Gizmo's me whenever she wants to discuss something to get a bit of information from my experience. And she processes the information she gets very wisely. As she says, she is an "old (Ed: mature) brain on a young frame"!

All this time she has been wanting to meet Annikki. She had brought her two lovely gifts from China, but yet she was unable to meet her.

So, yesterday, she Skyped me and said she wanted to cook us a Chinese meal. So, I went and picked her up in the morning and we chose the ingredients.

As Susaana and Asha are here with us, we had to observe some rules - no pork, prawns, dairy products, etc.

But that was no problem for Tingting - as her mind works like a register - it just processed that information and when we went shopping, it was so unique. She knew exactly what to buy. We were in and out of the shop in less than 15 minutes.

Asha and I picked up Tingting at exactly 18:30 in the evening. When she entered our home she brought a brightness which was so enthralling. Both Susanna and Annikki took to this young lady, who speaks everything from the heart. She tells it like it is and maybe, in time, she will have to learn that diplomacy may require her to keep some of her deepmost feelings hidden. But for Annikki and Susanna, who love people who speak the truth, this was quite an experience.

After a little chit-chat, including telling us how some Chinese eat monkey brains directly from a live monkey place in the centre of a table, a practice she thought repulsive, Tingting wanted to get to work.

Tingting cooks

It was amazing how this youngster took charge of the kitchen, where even the big boss of the JM family, Susanna, was reduced to being a kitchen helper. Annikki took care of producing the rice in the upstairs kitchen while Tingting worked with our limited cookware. Susanna was busy chopping vegetables and scrubbing pots and pans, while I laid the table with Chinese bowls and glasses, found the chopsticks, and before I knew it, I was moving the cooked food from the kitchen to the dining room.


Soup hits the table

Besides the rice, in a matter of a few minutes this wizard had produced a delicious Chinese soup, and four separate dishes - each one a masterpiuiece, and knowing that Asha could not take too much spice, each dish was tailored to the exact spice level that even Asha would be able to eat it.


Delicacies


More delicacies

When all the dishes were on the table, I was under the impression that we would have a buffet. But Tingting quickly pooh-poohed that idea. She had the dining table cleared of the chess set and other paraphenalia and said that when you have a Chinese meal, you have to eat it Chinese style, sitting around the table and helping yourself directly from the serving dishes placed in the centre of the table.


Tingting doles out her specialities

As I glanced around the table, I saw such faces that showed that all the participants, including Asha, were really enjoying the food as much as I was. And the talk around the table went from one topic to another, showing that Tingting was one of our family.

Tingting was amazed as to how we had brought up four children. She is a product of the Chinese one-child policy and could never imagine anyone having more than one offspring. She looked at Annikki in wonderment. I must say, as I was an errant father in India, as I was away almost two weeks on the road every month, I, too, am amazed how Annikki managed to raise our four kids in a strange country and manage it so well.

Tingting had already adopted me as one of her fatherly guides in Finland many months ago. Now, she won the hearts of all my family who sat around the table.

After such a superb meal, which ended with Annikki serving a portion for Mika, Tingting and Susanna chatted till it was time for Tingting to go home.


Susanna and Tingting with the cleaned out food plates!

Asha and I dropped her back to her flat and we thanked her.

This young girl had brought a different and meaningful Easter message to our home in her own quiet way - and for that we ever remain in her gratitude.

Saturday puzzle and some more photos

As Asha is here with Susanna, I have been rather irregular in my blogging.

Here is this week's puzzle, which is one which is from time immemorial. I first encountered it in an MRF management Seminar in Madras (Chennai) in 1972 when a Management Consultant put this picture to the group. It was in black and white, but many years later I got the color version.



Here are some more pictures from the Songkran (Thai New Year) Celebrations of a couple of days ago. It coincides with Vishu, Tamil New Year's day and many other festivals in India.

Asha enjoys and loves a new product
The Pailin Chicken Wrap


Soda takes a snap of his family


Asha washes Annikki's hands


Asha & me


Annikki, Asha and Pailin


Soda, Asha and Unnop


Soda, Annikki, Asha and Unnop


Pailin and Asha stand in the shadow of the Thai Royal couple

Thanks to Unnop and Pailin for these photographs.

A new culture becomes part of us in 2549

(Cross-posted in the CHAFF Blog.)

Yesterday, was the Thai New Year taking us into the year 2549.

Annikki, Susanna, Asha, along with me, were invited to dinner by Pailin, Unnop and Soda.

The occasion was not only an eye-opener in terms of culture, but Annikki and I now have two more beautiful children and two more wonderful grandchildren, except that one was sadly unable to be present on this occasion.

We were late, as Annikki and Asha had some shopping to do, and after that, Asha had to speak to her dad, Chris, in Billinghay, just to make sure that all was OK.



When we arrived, we saw a beautifully laid out table before us, with a decorative tray of carved fruit and a plate of delicious rice noodles.

Unnop is a master carver of fruits and vegetables. Annikki is certain that the Finns would flock around to learn this art from him.

The rice noodles are a Thai speciality. It is similar to the Idiappam that we have in Kerala. It is served with a fish sauce and can also also be eaten with a curry.

Soda taught Susanna to eat rice noodles with spoon and fork

Soda was eating with us at the table. He guided us through the meal.

Although only 14, nearing 15, Soda is a not only a handsome and loving boy, but also a thorough gentleman. An outstanding footballer and a naturally talented musician, he has also picked up Finnish and speaks it fluently, in just 6 months. His English is excellent and he also reads and writes Thai. But he confessed he was having problems with his Maths!

That is of little consequence for a boy so gifted in so many ways and one who will be a wonderful personality and a true Ambassador of the rich Thai culture and heritage he has brought with him to Finland.

Looking at the picture above, I can see how he has become more powerful in his physique than when I met him 7 months ago. He is growing to be a very strong young man, whom I hope I will be very proud off, just as my four other children.

The rice noodles were eaten in the soup bowl with the fish sauce. Then we ate Satay Chicken roasted on sticks with a delicious and mildly spicy nut sauce. The Spring Rolls were eaten with Thai Sweet Chilli sauce. This was followed by Jasmine rice served with absolutely delicious green curry which is made with plenty of coconut milk.

Knowing that Annikki, Susanna and Asha have a few food restrictions, there were no pork, shrimps, and dairy products in the items served. Yet the meal was tasty and it was Pailin's cooking at its best. (Pailin is a double graduate from Thai Universities - in Home Science as well as Science Education.)

All of us gushed, not only at the quality of the food, but also the beautiful way it was served with both Pailin and Unnop in their Thai robes.


Pailin greets us with a great feeling using the Thai Namaste


Unnop, a wonderful personality

Asha started with the Spring Rolla and the Satay Chicken, which had been made by Pailin for the very first time, but found the fish sauce and the green curry a bit too spicy. Pailin rustled up Asha's favourite, fried rice with chicken and fresh vegetables. It was truly mouth-watering, and I stole a bit from Asha's plate to see what it was like. The taste was even better than what it looked like.


Asha amongst the tulips

We then attacked the fruit bowl, especially the grapes and the carved honey melon.

As the meal came to an end, there appeared a large empty bowl on the table and another bowl filled with fragrantly smelling water.

The time had come to partake of a bit of Thai culture.

We learnt that it is Thai custom to celebrate the New Year with Water. They spray each other with water - something Samu enjoys, as he usually chases Grandpa around the Kampitie garden with the garden spray gun.

But this time it was slightly different.



First, Unnop washed my hands into the bowl and I wiped the cooling fragrant water over my face. I wished him all the best for the future. Then he washed Annikki's hands. This was followed by Pailin and Soda washing our hands. Asha and Susanna also washed our hands. We in turn wished them all future prosperity and happiness. (Silently, I also wished all our absent family members all the very best in the coming years.)

This custom is one that the Thai people show to the people they love and respect.


Annikki, the most wonderful daughter, wife,
mother and grandmother to many

Annikki and I were deeply touched. Pailin and Unnop told us they value us as their parents and love and honour us as such.


Susanna, the eldest, so far, of our brood

Annikki and I are proud to know this couple and their children. We, also, consider them as part of our family. As Pailin and Unnop, we have a few other friends who consider us and value us as their respected elders, but this was the first time we went through a ceremony which publicly stated the love and affection some people have for us.

It made us feel very humble that people can show their love and affection for us so outwardly.

Mika was unable to join this family occasion, so Pailin packed an enormous meal for him.

Our thanks to Pailin, Unnop, Soda and Sodium for becoming part of our family. I am sure those not here, Joanna and family (Samu already considers this to be his best French fries place, just as Asha considers this to be the very best Chicken Wrap place) and Jaakko, also welcome them into our family as loved members.

We wish them all prosperity in the coming years. We hope that Soda and Sodium will grow into being the same loving people as their parents.

Annikki's Freedom

As Hilja went into the Old People's Home after a 5 week stint at home, it was time for Annikki to make a trip out of the home.

This time she was accopmanied by granddaughter, Asha.



They made a visit to Annikki's favourite Fleamarket, the Pentecostal one behind the Pentecostal Church on Uusikatu. Then, they went to a oddments and assortments store, Timari, followed by a visit to the department store, Stockman.

During the time they had their spree at the shops in the city, I quickly made a visit to the Heinäpää heated football grounds to see Soda practicing with the Tervarit 91 Musta side. The Tervarit Senior Musta side was also practicing at the same time.

There was still plenty of snow lying around, as can be seen, both in the foreground and on the little hill behind the pitch.



I was especially pleased to note that Soda is becoming more confident in the way he handles his tacklers. But he still has a long way to go in fitness and speed to be able to make a real contribution to the team with his natural footballing skill.

I rushed back in time to help Annikki and Asha complete their shopping.

When we got home, Asha gave me a belated birthday present - a tea mug with a beautifully printed pattern of a lakeside scene, not only around the exterior, but also on the handle and with a small inlay print. The colours, especially the bright reds and the vibrant yellows, are simply beautiful. I am going to enjoy many a cup of early morning and late evening tea in this mug.

Asha's present - beautiful tea mug

Accompanying it was matching gift card. I am indeed a very lucky granddad to have such beautiful and loving grandchildren.

I have already started using the mug.

Asha and BBC Look North on Home Education

On Monday, the BBC Look North TV News prgramme which serves Lincolnshire and parts of East Yorkshire carried a segment on Home Education, which featured Asha, Susanna and Chris. It was watchable on the computer, but I could not determine how to save the clip. Susanna has it on video and if I can find a way, I shall get the clip onto my computer. Asha really came across really beautifully.

Asha and Susanna arrived in Oulu on Tuesday evening. Part of Asha's "Home Education" is for a few days in my care.

Yesterday was an exciting day for us as we went to the place where all the scrap metal in Oulu is collected. When I had taken Samu there a few years ago, on a similar Home Education binge, they had a crusher which crushed cars into small boxes, but they did not have it there presently. There were plenty of old cars and buses lying around.

Finnish Steptoe & Son


Awaiting crushing


Weighing scale for buying and selling scrap

Asha went wild photographing all the scrap including the metal shavings and the weighing scale on which they weigh scrap if anyone wants to sell some to the yard.


Metal shavings.

Our next port of call was the Zoological Museum of the University of Oulu focuses on northern nature and species, where along one wall you can see the entire topography as well animal life and vegetation in Finland from north to south. There are about 50 000 vertebrate and about two million invertebrate specimens in the museum. Besides the Museum's own collecting activity, authorities and private citizens bring to the Museum wild animals, that they have found dead. The material collected in students' thesis research also becomes part of the Museum's collections.

Asha again went wild with the camera, photographing all sorts of things, from this tiny winter snow "mongoose", correctly known as the "Least Weasel", known in Finnish as the Lumikko to an the elks head along with mine! This white Lumikko is a bloodthirsty animal, accouding to Annikki.


Finnish snow "mongoose", the "Least Weasel",
and known in Finnish as the Lumikko


Brainless heads

I retaliated by snapping Asha with a friend!


Beautiful couple - polar bear with Asha

We met a nice family from South Africa. The daughter is studying in the University and the parents were visiting. I was able to tell them the significance of the wall which was the creation of a single individual over a period of 13 years during the time I was working in the University. Probably the best visit to make when in Oulu to learn something about Finland!

Home Education continues today.

As I was putting this page up, I got information on my hotline from Madras (K. George - Georgie) that niece Shilpa, younger daughter of Mammen (Kunjumonchayan) and Omena Eapen, gave birth to a baby boy who was born today at 6 am Indian Standard Time. Best wishes to the family soon from all of us in Finland and hope you are home . Let us have a photograph of the family soon for the archives.



Talking about babies, as I was waiting for Annikki and Asha at a large department store in Oulu, one of Joanna's good friends from China, who lives in Oulu, walked by with husband, mother, daughter and their new born addition.

Four generation girls at Kampitie

Susaana and Asha arrived yesterday afternoon from England to spend Easter with us. Annikki's mother is at home, so I captured this picture of four generations of girls. Annikki thinks it is hilarious!



Mika looks down at the situation.



Siddarth and three Polish friends, all of whom study at Kuopio University, are passing through Oulu on their way to the north. They spent the night in one of the lovely cottages on the beach, which sleeps 4. The Polish students was amazed at the compact cottage style and one of them was scared to sleep in the attic style sleeping place!

Siddarth and one of his friends resting at the cottage.


Siddarth's Polish friends.

Hope they have a great trip to Lapland and into Norway.

Stupendous news

(Cross-posted on the CHAFF Blog.)

The CHAFF Meeting this Sunday was quite a small affair as most people were recovering from the all night party of last week. I heard that people were wandering home even as early as 5:30 am last Sunday!

However, we were given the most stupendous news at the tail end of the meeting.

Ildikó and Ilari arrived late and broke us the news which was like music to all assembled.

Ilari had proposed to Ildikó on Saturday! And Ildikó has accepted.

It took the form of the treasure hunt, treasure unknown to Ildikó, which led up to the final proposal being found posted on the side of a water filling station in a remote corner of Oulu!

Our favourite young CHAFF couple

Typically Ilari character. He loves to play games.

It is the first CHAFF announcement of marriage news in Finland. Everyone was thrilled.

All of us at CHAFF wish this popular couple all the very best.

Ilari has been a family friend for over 15 years and is one of our family. And we heartily welcome Ildikó into our family.

If they have even half the success of my marriage to Annikki, they will have a great one!