District Camp

        On the weekend of September 26-27th my district had our district camp. We had to be at the Helsinki train station by 10:30, where we were met by the district Rotarians. At about 10:50 we went to the parking garage where we all piled our bags into one of the Rotarians car’s and left the train station. We went to a place where they produce the national Finnish newspaper I believe? We walked through there for a short time one of the Rotarians gave us history on the place and then we left for the Church.  We walked to this Church (which I don’t remember the name of) and the Rotarians told us the history and the importance of this church. I don’t remember much of what she said but I believe she said something that many people did not want the church to be built. I honestly don’t quite remember. After, we had about 20 minutes to walk around and take pictures of the church. When we decided to take a group picture, all of these old Asian people came and sat on the bleachers with us and started taking pictures with us. It was quite funny, it lasted for about 10 minutes until they were done taking pictures with us.

The wonderful Cora

Then we headed to the Natural History Museum. We were given a tour of “Finland” as we explored parts of Finland and animals which live there. This lasted for an hour, and we were all tired of walking and hungry so we really didn’t listen that much. After the museum it was time to eat! Though we had to walk for about 15 minutes to the restaurant that we were schedule to eat at. (The restaurant was called “Mama Rosa’s” but I don’t think it is like the “Mama Rosa’s “ back home.) There we ate and got re-fuled for the rest of the afternoon. 

Cora, Jose, and Emily

Bambi!

After eating we headed to the olympic stadium, where the 1952 summer olympics were held, we   didn’t get to go into the stadium but we went to the museum. In the museum it held many uniforms and medals of Fins who have been in the olympics. It was quite interesting. 

The Olympic Stadium

Next stop was a cafe, we walked to this cafe which was stationed in a very old victorian styled house. We all sat outside and got a view of a lake and Helsinki. We then had to basically power walk to the ferry for Suomenlinna, as we were running behind. Unfortunately we did not make it and had to wait 40 minutes for the next ferry to arrive. Once we caught the ferry, it was a ferry ride of 20 minutes which during this time Charline (Belgian) and I listened to music and watched us float away from Helsinki. When we got to Suomenlinna it was less then minute walk to where our hostile was, when we got there we set down our bags and went to eat dinner.  

          After dinner, we were told what room we were in and had to put our stuff in our rooms and make our beds. I was in a room with, Emily (German), Inge (German), Kirzy (South African),  Karen (Chile), Jade (Brazil), and Kellar (USA). After we made our beds we still had time till the Rotarians wanted to meet with us so we took pictures with our flags and peeps from our country.  The Rotarians talked with us and then we had free time, which our Rotarians had us play a strange game and then after we hung out. We had a bed time of 11pm, which is quite lame but we obeyed. 

The next day I woke up at 7:30, got ready, ate breakfast, and packed up my stuff. I then went on a little walk with Emily, Kellar, and Jade. Kellar found a scooter of a little boy who hid it in the bushes so Arthur who lives in Suomenlinna of C52 if you’re reading this, we found your scooter put it in a better hiding place next time. At 10 we went back to hostel and got ready for our tour of Suomenlinna, we took lots of pictures many times people were getting left behind because they were taking a picture. After the tour we went back to the hostel and ate lunch and then it was time to go home! I had a wonderful district camp weekend!

This week is fall break, so I’m going to Olivia’s until Wednesday and then we are coming to my house and she will stay until Sunday! On Saturday we are making an American dinner for my host family since it will be my last weekend with them. 

-Hailey