Fenland

The word for Finland in Finnish is "Suomi". Both "suo" and "fin" seem to be derived from the root "fen" (in Dutch still "veen") = wetland, which sounds quite appropriate for the country of the 1000 lakes...
This year my New Year's eve has been quite memorable (note that it was last year as well - we had good fun in Delft -). But this time I celebrate New Year one year in advance compared to France and Holland, standing outside by -15 degrees with a glass of fake Champagne in my glove, after having had a warm sauna and learnt to make "snowangels" [= going (naked!) from the sauna and fall on the snow, moving the arms to draw the angel's wings... and hurrying up to the sauna which suddenly does not seem so warm anymore...].
Even though we only stayed 4 days in Orivesi it felt like the best holidays can feel: your brain obliterate all the pitifull work-related data, you relax, enjoy the compagny, the atmosphere, the new experience, the food. Because despite what our former president might have said: Finnish food is GOOD. But it is good only under the right conditions: after having walked in the snow for hours by -10, felt the simple joy of getting frozen toes and getting them defrost in a sauna. I guess it does not look fancy on the silver plates of the presidential palace in Paris, and might look unappealing in hot summers but try a reindeer stew after all I have said, and you'll ask for more. And no day starts better than with a good bowl of hot porridge.

berry-porridge for breakfast