By: Mary-Lynn Kebker
Our small group of teachers had just arrived at Raseborg Castle, in Raseborg, Finland, approximately an hour's drive west of the capital city of Helsinki. I wasn't feeling particularly well. I had slept poorly the night before and boarding the hour-long bus ride at 8:00 AM had left me feeling tired and groggy.
As I stepped off the bus, not feeling particularly enthused about this trip, I couldn't help but notice the crisp morning air. There's something about mornings in Finland that gives your body and mind a boost. The incredible freshness of the country air, the bright blue sky - one could say Finland blue sky - and the comfortable July air temperature gave my body the refresher that it needed. I stopped, inhaled a large breath of this uniquely fresh air, and began to walk towards the direction of the castle. That's when I first thought, "Wow! Finland…This place is different. This place is nice".
As the tour group walked, we first came to a small bridge. As we continued across this bridge, I glanced over to the right and looked out over the river. Once again, that incredible, Finland blue color appeared in the water. Its color contrasted so perfectly with the lush greenery around its shores. I then noticed this cute little boat resting peacefully on the water along the river's shore. As I looked at this small boat, tethered to one of those green trees, I thought again, "This place is nice. It's so serene".
After crossing the bridge, we stepped on to this graveled pathway that led directly to Raseborg Castle. As the tour group walked towards the castle, I kept glancing around, enjoying all the nature around us. The morning birds were singing and the flowers were blooming. The trees were a vibrant green and the breeze was gentle. I couldn't help but notice the sense of love in the air. It's amazing how nature has its way of making us feel loved and optimistic.
That was when we noticed the sheep. The sheep was standing behind a fence staring at us with the biggest eyes I had ever seen on an animal. I walked over to the sheep. Its pen had a pungent smell, but its face was adorable. I couldn't resist trying to pet him. He stuck his nose through the fence and let me rub the bridge of it. The look on this sheep's face and in his eyes melted my heart. The animal appeared to be in bliss. And I was too.
After taking a moment to enjoy the pleasure of interacting with this sheep, I looked towards the castle. It was unlike any piece of architecture I had ever seen before. We simply do not have this type of unique architecture in the United States. Americans tend to favor new, shiny buildings, instead of enjoying historical architecture. The Raseborg Castle was built in the 1370's. The castle' dark gray and brown stone walls, beaten and worn, proudly displayed its age.
Unfortunately, we had to wait for the tour guide to arrive. As we stood there waiting, I could feel my sense of pleasure and enjoyment fading, and my tiredness return. The sense of love and bliss was slipping away from me. That's when Andrea, Kevin and I, erupted into song. We were serenading Starkey to the song "Let it Go", by James Bay. Collectively, with our shaky voices, told her to "Let it go, just let it be" as she had never heard this song before. I felt the love return. It's amazing how friends have a way of making us feel loved and optimistic.
After taking a moment to enjoy the pleasure of interacting with this sheep, I looked towards the castle. It was unlike any piece of architecture I had ever seen before. We simply do not have this type of unique architecture in the United States. Americans tend to favor new, shiny buildings, instead of enjoying historical architecture. The Raseborg Castle was built in the 1370's. The castle' dark gray and brown stone walls, beaten and worn, proudly displayed its age.
Unfortunately, we had to wait for the tour guide to arrive. As we stood there waiting, I could feel my sense of pleasure and enjoyment fading, and my tiredness return. The sense of love and bliss was slipping away from me. That's when Andrea, Kevin and I, erupted into song. We were serenading Starkey to the song "Let it Go", by James Bay. Collectively, with our shaky voices, told her to "Let it go, just let it be" as she had never heard this song before. I felt the love return. It's amazing how friends have a way of making us feel loved and optimistic.
With renewed energy, we waited until the tour guide arrived. When the tour guide arrived, she arrived in style. The guide arrived in character, playing the role of Katarina, the Lady of the Castle. Katarina was the first, and only, female ruler of Raseborg Castle. Katarina enticed us with the history of the castle with her charm and humorous demeanor. She was able to take our imaginations back to the 1370s, as the castle was being built. She described the dissipation of the water that once surrounded the castle, which served as an administration center to collect taxes for the village.
Katarina also described the love story of the king and his second wife, the Rose of Raseborg. After the king's first wife passed away, the king met Christina, later renamed Rose, who ran off with the king to Stockholm. Later, Rose and the King returned to Raseborg. Unfortunately, their relationship and ruling authority were short-lived. The King became very ill and died three days after their marriage. Rose of Raseborg was only queen for three days. I enjoyed Katarina's retelling of this story, as it included all the elements of a good love story, love and loss. It made me reflect on the relationships that I have and the love that I feel. It's amazing how love stories can make you feel loved and optimistic.
Katarina also described the love story of the king and his second wife, the Rose of Raseborg. After the king's first wife passed away, the king met Christina, later renamed Rose, who ran off with the king to Stockholm. Later, Rose and the King returned to Raseborg. Unfortunately, their relationship and ruling authority were short-lived. The King became very ill and died three days after their marriage. Rose of Raseborg was only queen for three days. I enjoyed Katarina's retelling of this story, as it included all the elements of a good love story, love and loss. It made me reflect on the relationships that I have and the love that I feel. It's amazing how love stories can make you feel loved and optimistic.
After the tour, we left the castle and headed down the appropriately named, "Lover's Path". The path draws in lovers with its plush greenery and winding turns. There are even benches and rocks to sit on and enjoy each other's company. While I didn't have a lover to walk down this path with me, I felt my love for Finland growing further.
At the end of the path, we ran into the Folkgarden Museum. Outside the museum, our group noticed bushes with fresh fruit standing before our eyes. We used Edward’s way and the secret foragers inside each of us made an appearance as we collected handfuls of blueberries and raspberries for our early afternoon snack. It's amazing how freshly picked fruit can make us feel loved and optimistic.
At the end of the path, we ran into the Folkgarden Museum. Outside the museum, our group noticed bushes with fresh fruit standing before our eyes. We used Edward’s way and the secret foragers inside each of us made an appearance as we collected handfuls of blueberries and raspberries for our early afternoon snack. It's amazing how freshly picked fruit can make us feel loved and optimistic.
Finally, this trip ended in Snappertuna, a small village that recreates the lives of farmers and fisherfolk on the village. We were naturally drawn towards the cute little church sitting on top of a hill. In this church, we were surprised with a hidden talent. Our bus driver, Maija, serenaded us with the church hymns played on the organ. It was here I leaned back and thought, "Finland...this place is nice. This place is different".