Location: Hostel, Imatra
Time: 0000 Finland
Weather: it’s raining now…
Feeling: tired…been out the whole day
Thinking: should I shower? It’s so cold.

Last night we went for a walk around the lake. It was really dark and there were only a maximum for 20 cars on the road. We walked around for 50 mins and took some good pictures. Tunnels in the dark make really good scary pictures.


When I took this picture, I was actually quite scared.

Woke up at 9.30 today. It was quite late as we were supposed to go to City Centre (Imatrankoski) later. When we were eating breakfast, we realized that everyone was getting ready to go out. We left the hostel around 11 and headed to Imatrankoski. Halfway we realized that we had to go to this other “shopping centre (Mansikkapaikka)” to see if they sold can opener. So we had to back track and walk all the way back. There, we found this cheap shop which sold a lot of items for €1-2. SUPER CHEAP. We finally managed to get 2 can openers for €1. The shop also sold knifes at €1 which we bought from City Market at €5+. I also bought 3 cups at €1. I’m currently using one for holding hot drinks, another as utensils holder and there is another one which I have no idea what I’m going to use for. We then went to this clothing shop, Sipari, next door where we found 2 very nice outer wear. The price was also “wonderful”.

€169…Love this leather jacket…damn I look good..haha

€64.50…And this is Swee Ting’s beloved white jacket …*hint hint* if you still don’t get it, just send money for Swee Ting’s present

We left the shop grudgingly and headed back for the hostel as we were feeling hungry. After lunch, we realized it was already quite late (most of the shops at Imatrankoski close at 3) so we decided to go to Prisma to get the €0.39 pasta sauce since we already bought the can opener. On the way to the supermarket, we saw this amazing tree which was half green and orange.



In the supermarket we found that information provided by the Russians were true. We immediately like the brand X-tra. We bought 750g of cornflakes for €1.35, 4 cans of pasta sauce (it’s not very nice though). They also sold tubs of jam at €1+ which can be found in City market for €2+. We also found tennis racquets at €19.90 which is less then S$50. WAAAHHHH!! We were so happy we nearly went overboard. We couldn’t buy too much as we forgot to bring plastic bags and that meant we had to use the supermarket’s flimsy bags.



After shopping, we went back to dump the stuff then headed out again for the swings. We had a really long chat trying to know each other better and revealing some horrible characteristics of ourselves (don’t tell you neh). The conversation continued in the hostel where we GOSSIPED about our classmates (Heh heh…). Halfway we decided that we had to eat something so Swee Ting roasted chicken and I toasted “pizza”. Ania came over with her guitar and performed some Russian songs for us. Ding dong. It was our Russian neighbours and they said that the waterfall will be open today at 9pm. Swee Ting and I were so excited as we really wanted to see the rapids. But then we realized that our dinner was still in the oven. We decided to abandon our dinner and changed quickly as it was 8.40 and we had to walk to Imatrankoski. When we reached the waterfall, we were greatly disappointed – again. The Russian guys entertained us by climbing over the barrier and into the dry river bed to retrieve a scooter bike which was sadly ditched.

To fill up the time, all of us walked around the area. We learnt more about the castle and the writings on the rocks as they were actually left behind by the Russians. A little history lesson: the castle was built in the 19th century for Nicholas the second. There is a metal cat on the roof which is used to commemorate the cat which lived with Nicholas the first. The castle is now a hotel and is the most expensive hotel in Imatra. The writings on the rocks were actually names of people who were one way or another related to Nicholas the second. Did you know that Finland was part of Russia in the past? I didn’t. Lenon(?) gave Finland independence when he was in power.

It was very dark during the walk. You could hardly see your hands in front of you.

It started to rain on our way back so we hitched a ride from one of the Russians. Turns out he is actually our neighbour and he drove all the way from St Petersburg to Imatra. By the time I ate my pizza, the crust was like biscuit but I must say that the sausage did a great job in masking the taste of the pasta sauce.

Movie: P.S I Love You And this is what we ate

We are going to a church tomorrow. Seems like we have to take a bus there. And need to do laundry too.

6th September 2008

We promise to abide by Espall's #1 rule