Phung

Riihimki, Finland is a town of about 30,000 people. It is located about 65 kilometers north of Helsinki. The people are kind and the families enjoy spending time together in activities such as bicycling, swimming, fishing and shopping when the weather is good.

During the summer many people from Riihimki go to their summer houses. A summer house usually has no indoor plumbing, which means that there is an outhouse somewhere close by the summer house. It is typical for the family to swim in a lake or small, inflatable pool and then go together into a wood-burning sauna to wash and relax. It is also not uncommon for families to be naked during these times, because going without clothes is seen as a type of relaxation and freedom.

People will usually barbeque fish or meat while vacationing at their summer house. Sometimes salmon or other types of cold water fish is smoked in an outdoor brick oven for several hours, and then eaten together with home grown potatoes or other vegetables.

Life in Riihimki is slow paced compared with most American cities. Families do housework, shopping and other chores together to be able to spend the most time together. Even though there is satellite television and high speed internet access available these days, most people prefer to spend their free time by talking with one another and getting to know each other better.

Another difference in all of Finland is that children do not start formal schooling until the age of seven. At that time they can usually write their name and numbers, but they do not learn to read until they enter school. Even though they are beginning their formal education one to two years later than most American children, they still learn to speak, read and write two or three languages, including English, by the time they are twelve.

The Rotary Club is also a big part of life for the Finnish business and professional people. The Rotary Club is an international service organization with over one million members throughout the world. Even though Riihimki is a small city they have a membership of over 70 members in their local Rotary Club.

Overall, life in Riihimki is very good. Prices are high, but people still enjoy a good quality of life. Most families own their own homes, with loans that are typically written for a sixty year term. Medical care is available to everyone and college tuition is paid for by the government. I would encourage anyone who is interested in a quiet, peaceful vacation to consider visiting Rrihimki, Finland.

Connie Ragen Green is a Real Estate Broker and State Certified Residential Appraiser in California and has bought and sold over 100 properties since 1983. Visit her at http://www.BuyRealEstateforProfit.com for more information about buying and selling real estate.