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Last Post...All About FOOD!
Last Post...All About FOOD!
It feels like forever since the last day of school! We have been away from home for over two weeks. The Ms. Calarco's are so lucky an honored to share this amazing experience with you but they are both excited to get back home! Mrs. Mlod and her son Adam (he met us in Tokyo) will be in Tokyo for a few more days so you might get a bonus post of their adventures!
Let's answer the final few questions!
Ava A and Cillian asked us what our favorite part of Japan was.
Mrs. Mlod's favorite part so far was exploring all of the different wards and small neighborhoods. She liked all of the tiny restaurants and the distinct personalities!
High School Ms. Calarco's favorite part was the Meiji Shrine, she really liked how it was a forest of 100,000 trees right in the middle of Tokyo.
Genesee Ms. Calarco's favorite part was exploring the foothills of Mt. Fuji. She really loved the pristine lakes, bird watching and seeing people camp, kayak and enjoy the outdoors.
Now many of you including; Ms. Corey, Haleigh J, and Adalyn L asked what our favorite foods were. This post is going to show all of the foods we were lucky enough to try! But we each had our favorites!
Mrs. Mlod really enjoyed our sushi day, sushi is very inexpensive and fresh in Tokyo.
High School Ms. Calarco's favorite food was the seared tuna on a stick at the fish market in Tokyo. It was amazing watching a man grill it and cook it with a blow torch at the same time with his hand looking like it was touching the flame the whole time!
Genesee Ms. Calarco loved the eggs! In Japan eggs are so closely regulated that it is safe to consume them raw. Her favorite way to eat them was a fried rice dish topped with an omelette and crab gravy.
Check out the pictures and captions below! What would you try?
Exploring the city of Tokyo
Exploring the city of Tokyo
Wow, we did so much in one day it is truly unbelievable!
Our guide's name was Imran, he is from India but he has been living in Tokyo for the past 16 years. He is fluent in 6 languages including Japanese. We are so lucky that he guided us around Tokyo we managed to fit so much into one day!
Here are all of the places we visited! Below you will find more information about them and pictures!
Tsukiji Fish Market, Imperial Palace Gardens, Akihabara Electric Town, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, the Meijii Shrine, Takeshita Street and Shibuya Crossing!
Be sure to ask questions if you would like to be entered to win a souvenir! Last questions will be accepted Monday the 14th, at 10AM EST.
Be sure to ask questions if you would like to be entered to win a souvenir! Last questions will be accepted Monday the 14th, at 10AM EST.
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree was built in 2012 and at the time it was built it was the tallest building in the world at 634 meters or 2,080 feet. You might be wondering why 634 and not 635 meters...it is because when written in Kanji it sounds like the name of the city.
We rode the elevator to the observation deck at 350m. The elevator speed was amazing, at it's max it went 600 m/minute!
At the observation deck we had 360 degree views of the massive city of Tokyo!
Akihabara Electric City
Akihabara Electric City
This location was wild! Here you will find Anime culture, all the electronics one could want and claw machines everywhere!
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya crossing is the busiest intersection in all of Japan. It was controlled chaos! Every time the pedestrian light turns green approximately 2,500 people cross the street. That makes almost 6 million daily!
Next to the crossing is the statue of Hachiko the dog. Hachiko would meet his owner at the train station every day when he arrived from work. One day his owner passed away and never returned but every day for 9 years Hachiko would go to the train station to wait.
Imperial Palace Gardens
Imperial Palace Gardens
The gardens were once part of the Edo Castle grounds where the Shogunates once resided. The castle was destroyed for the third and last time in 1863 but the foundation is still present. It is a serene area in a busy city!
Today adjacent to the gardens the Imperial home still exists where the Emperor and his royal family still reside. Think of this royal family in the same way as the royal family of England. They have no political power but still remain figureheads.
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Outer Market is Japan’s “Food Town,” where you can try all kinds of traditional Japanese foods.
Originally the market catered mainly to professionals. The market that caters to locals and restaurants has now been relocated to another part of Tokyo.
Meijii Jingu Shrine
Meijii Jingu Shrine
You might think once you see one shrine you have seen them all but that is truly not the case! This shrine honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and was built in 1920.
When you enter the shrine grounds you are immediately transported out of the city of 34 million people. Instead you are surrounded by 100,000 trees, peace and nature.
Senso-Ji Temple and the Asakusa Jinja Shrine
Senso-Ji Temple and the Asakusa Jinja Shrine
The Senso-Ji Temple was first started in 628 by a fisherman. The story goes that while fishing on the nearby river he caught a statue of a god. He would throw it back in the river and the next day he would catch it again. He decided it was a sign that it was a holy place where a temple needed to be. In 1185 Shogunates decided to expand the temple making it look the way it does today.
Adjacent to the temple stands Asakusa Jinia Shrine. This is the only place in Japan where you will find a Shinto Shrine and a Buddhist Temple next to each other despite the religions being very similar and that some individuals practice both!
Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street is a 400m long pedestrian only street. It was wildly busy and packed with lots of people! This street seemed to be where all the young people go. Walking down the street there were many food stands, toy vending machines, and big anime fashion!
Planet Team Labs
Planet Team Labs
This was an exhilarting art exhibit. Team Labs has exhibts across the country of Japan. With Your Entire Body, Immerse, Perceive, and Become One with the Art
teamLab Planets is a museum where you walk through water, created by art collective teamLab.
The artworks change depending on the presence of people, and the existence of the artworks is continuous with your body and with others.
Immerse yourself physically in the massive artwork spaces, perceive them with your body, and become one with the art.
Be sure to ask questions if you would like to be entered to win a souvenir! Last questions will be accepted Monday the 14th, at 10AM EST.
Be sure to ask questions if you would like to be entered to win a souvenir! Last questions will be accepted Monday the 14th, at 10AM EST.
Natural side of Japan
Natural side of Japan
Our time in Japan so far has been spent in what has felt like concrete jungles. We have been in massive cities with minimal green spaces. The cities have been congested with people and there has been a bit of air pollution from industry and just the sheer number of people and cars.
We decided to venture outside of Tokyo on a tour of the foothills surrounding Mt. Fuji (Japan's tallest mountain). The air was clean and fresh, the lakes were pristine and the landscape was breathtaking. Unfortunately, we were unable to see Mt. Fuji because it was such a cloudy day. Our guide explained that the best time to see Mt. Fuji is from November to April, but this time of the year is the best for climbing the 12,389 foot peak.
Mt. Fuji is also special because it is actually an active volcano. It last erupted in 1707 and is currently described as low risk of eruption.
Check out the pictures and captions, then watch and listen to the video of us starting to go up the road to the 5th camp on Mt. Fuji, they call it a musical road! (We did not go all the way to the top! We were ever just barely on Mt. Fuji)
Turn your volume up and listen to the music. The music is created when the car travels over the rumble strips in the road. The strips are placed in such a way to create specific tones! SO COOL!
Turn your volume up and listen to the music. The music is created when the car travels over the rumble strips in the road. The strips are placed in such a way to create specific tones! SO COOL!
IMG_5102.MOVIMG_5101.MOVOur First Days in Tokyo
Our First Days in Tokyo
We left Osaka and traveled 310 miles north to Tokyo. It was an exciting experience because we traveled by bullet train.
Tokyo is Japan's capitol and is home to 14.18 million people. Just like our big cities have different boroughs, think Manhattan, Brooklyn etc... Tokyo has 23 separate wards. We are staying in Suginami, whch is not the ultra modern area. Suginami is a highly residential area and is famous for it's antiques, ramen, and animation culture.
Our first night in Suginami was spent relaxing in our accommodations, listening to a thunderstorm and enjoying the dropping temperature! We needed some rest because the next day we met some fellow educators and visited a school!
After our school visit we went to the Samurai Ninja Museum, which was fascinating! Stay tuned for our last post all about food!
Cillian asked what forms of transportation they have in Japan. They have everything! Planes, bullet trains, traditional rails, subways, buses, vehicles, and taxis.
Be sure to ask questions if you would like to be entered to win a souvenir! Last questions will be accepted Monday the 14th, at 10AM EST.
Be sure to ask questions if you would like to be entered to win a souvenir! Last questions will be accepted Monday the 14th, at 10AM EST.
The Bullet Train
The Bullet Train
The bullet train is a high speed train that can travel up to 200mph. Our train went a bit slower because we made several stops along the way but we still arrived in less than 4 hours. The quickest train can arrive in 2.5 hours with minimal stops.
Meeting Meimi and visiting a school.
Meeting Meimi and visiting a school.
We met Meimi, a friend of Mrs. Mlod's, at Coffee House Soleil. She is an amazing woman with endless energy, who is a teacher, consultant, and head of a non-profit organization. She spent time in Auburn as a student at Cayuga Community College. We talked about Auburn, our shared love of learning about other cultures, and school systems. She was kind enough to help us navigate the trains to get to our school visit. We hope she’ll visit us in Auburn so we can reciprocate her kindness.
We next met with Aki, a librarian at the Shibuya Jr. Sr High School. This is a private school. The typical school year is a trimester system, with the first trimester running from April through July, with summer vacation for the month of August. We had the chance to talk with some of the students, including an exchange student from Switzerland.
Samurai Ninja Museum
Samurai Ninja Museum
Our next stop was the Samurai Ninja Museum where we learned fascinating facts about the history, and had the chance to throw some ninja stars.
Not just anyone could be a Samurai or Ninja. In fact you had to be born into a family, adopted into a family, or marry into a family in order to become one.
IMG_4945.MOVOsaka Station City
Osaka Station City
What is Osaka Station City? Is it a train station, a bus stop, a mall, a farm, a grocery store? Well to answer the question we have to say it is all of those things in one! Osaka Station City consists of 4 high rise buildings, one going up to 28 stories, that are all connected by walkways at various floors. The train station is in the basement, bus station on the ground floor and more than 600 retail shops throughout! One single department store was 17 stories!
To compare that to malls in the USA, Destiny USA in Syracuse, NY has about 250 stores and the Mall Of America (the largest mall in the US) has over 500 stores.
We managed to walk through 3 of the buildings with a short lunch break in about 6 hours! We walked about 3.5 miles in the mall alone!
We enjoyed seeing the fashion, eating at a Michelin Star restaurant, being entrenched in pop culture and enjoying some urban gardens!
Tenku no Noen
Tenku no Noen
On the 10th floor of one of the buildings a beautiful garden oasis begins on a terrace. Flowers and cherry trees along with benches allow you to feel like you escape a major city and you're in a tranquil garden. As you climb an outdoor staircase to more levels of the terrace you find more gardens until you reach the top terrace on the 14th floor. At the top you find a farm! There were several varieties of fruits and vegetables. Osaka Station City hosts events that allow the public to get involved with the planting, cultivation and harvesting of the produce.
Pop Culture Characters!
Pop Culture Characters!
Camden in New Smyrna asked what our favorite character in Japan is. We know his is Godzilla and we took a photo of Mrs. Mlod with Godzilla! Honestly, it was hard for us to decide what our favorite character was until we saw all of our options. One whole floor of a building was dedicated to Nintendo, Pokemon and other Japanese characters. Oliver and Alia asked if there was a lot of Mario, and there sure was! We took some photos for you!
Genesee Ms. Calarco's favorite was the Pokemon character Patrat...although she loved Yoshi as a kid!
High school Ms. Calarco's favorite was Hello Kitty.
Mrs. Mlod's favorite was Pikachu.
The Water Clock
The Water Clock
Osaka Station City has another unique and interesting feature. It is called a water clock. This clock works by programming droplets of water to fall at very specific times and places in order to create a cascading image. It is the only one in the world! We had a hard time capturing it with our cameras but check out the video below to get a glimpse of how it works! You might notice the time as 19:03, do you know what time that would mean to us?
The 2025 World Expo
The 2025 World Expo
The 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan is a place for countries of the world to come together in peace to showcase how they are working to reach one or several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 158 out of 190 countries and 7 international organizations participated in this expo! Each country displayed their name, a map pinpointing where the country is located and which UN SDGs they were highlighting. The overarching theme of this expo is "Designing Future Society For Our Lives."
On the day we visited it was again extremely hot and there was some rain but luckily most of the country pavilions protected us from both conditions. Since there were over 160 pavilions and we only attended for one day we only just scratched the surface of all there was to see. We decided to focus our time on the smaller pavilions which did not have long lines to enter.
Some of the pavilions we did not enter showcasing some really interesting things were mentioned in an article in a Japanese news source NHK World Japan. Here are some highlights from that source. "One pavilion imagines a future 50 years from now, where humans and androids live side-by-side. Visitors are asked if they can view the androids as people and are urged to think about what it means to be human." The expo had autonomous buses for transportation and flying car demonstrations. "The Chinese pavilion showcased soil collected from the far side of the moon by an unmanned probe ― a world first and Italy is showcasing a marble sculpture dating back to around the year 150."
Caspin had asked several questions about the expo and we are ready to try and answer them! His first question asked if we would be presenting anything and the answer is no, however we did get to talk to people from all around the world to share ideas and make connections! His second question was " Does the World Expo help educate people on how they can help protect our environment and society as a whole?" The answer is yes but not directly; the expo itself showcases innovations and fosters global collaborations to address issues facing humanity. So it isn't so much of a how-to guide but more of a "these are some ideas and how can we build off of each other." His last question is "How difficult is it to go there (cost, location, etc)?" This answer is complex and it varies depending on where you are from. If you are local to the Osaka region of Japan it is relatively inexpensive and easy to attend through public transportation. Now for us it was significantly more difficult to attend. We had to fly to Japan, find lodging, and had to try and navigate transportation which is difficult in a country that does not speak the same language or use the same alphabet. The location of the expo itself is on its own little island in Osaka. The cost of the day ticket for us was about $20 USD.
Check out our images and captions to learn more about the World Expo.
Kyoto & Nara, Japan
Kyoto & Nara, Japan
Despite the heat we ventured out of Osaka on a tour of Kyoto and Nara, Japan. Kyoto is another major city in Japan with approximately 1.46 million residents. It is one of the oldest cities in Japan as it was founded in the year 794 by Emperor Kanmu. It is known as a cultural hub where you can find many temples, shrines, traditional wooden houses and in the Gion District one might still see Geishas walking down the streets.
We will be sharing about a Shinto Shrine and a Buddhist Temple today. It is important to note that Shintoism and Buddhism are very similar and some Japanese people actually practice both religions. Shintoism is as old as Japan itself where as Buddhism is a result of Chinese influence in the 6th century.
It turns out we have travelled to Japan during one of their major festivals! The Tanabata Festival is rooted in Chinese Folklore and is connected to the Shinto religion. Check out the poster we found to learn more! What would you wish for?
Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine
We took a tour with a guide named Andy and traveled about an hour outside of Osaka to Kyota Prefecture. We stopped to visit the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. This Shinto shrine was built in 711 to worship the god of rice, Inari. To learn more see the captions with the pictures.
Todai-Ji Temple
Todai-Ji Temple
Later in the day we visited the Todai-Ji Temple. This is a Buddhist temple that was originally built in 743. The temple was rebuilt several times dependent on the Emperor's discretion or if it was destroyed by fire. The temple is the largest in Japan and the second largest wooden structure. The structure we had a chance to see was built in 1709 and was registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. See the captions to learn more.
Nara Deer Park
Nara Deer Park
Nara Deer Park was a favorite stop. Located right outside of the Todai-Ji Temple. There are deer freely roaming and they are protected, making them unafraid of humans. In fact for about $1 you can purchase a stack of crackers to feed the deer by hand. Some of the deer tended to get a bit aggressive wanting all of the crackers!
Extras from the day!
Extras from the day!
Check out the captions!
Osaka, Japan
Osaka, Japan
The next stop on our journey is Osaka, Japan. Osaka is a major shipping port and an economic hub. It is home to about 2.7 million people and it is a sprawling metropolis. It is EXTREMELY hot here in Japan with temperatures in the high 90's but it feels like 105-108 degrees. It has proven to be a bit difficult to do too much exploring because of the heat.
After taking the train from Nagoya to Osaka we had a small glitch in our accommodations causing us to spend a few hours problem solving! Once our problems were solved we took a stroll around the neighborhood and found a delicious restaurant.
The following day we got going early in order to beat the heat! We explored a Shinto Shrine, took an interesting cruise on the Santa Maria, visited the Osaka Aquarium and of course ate some delicious foods!
The Train to Osaka
The Train to Osaka
We took a train called the United Liner. It was a lovely 2.5 hour ride in comfortable seats and an air conditioned car. It was a scenic ride and we saw a lot of interesting things. There were rice fields, bamboo forests, local communities, and views of the mountains!
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
The Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine has been standing in Osaka for over 2,000 years! It was founded by an Empress in the third century and specifically honors four deities; three sea gods and the Empress herself after her death. Individuals whose lives are linked to the sea have gone to pray at this shrine for protection and still do today. While we were there we noticed many newly born babies and finely dressed families visiting. We did a little research and learned that the Shinto people have a rite of passage for a baby's first shrine visit.
The shrine is also connected to poetry, performing arts, sumo wrestling, and it appears in many Japanese stories dating back to ancient folktales to modern literature.
The Osaka Aquarium and Santa Maria
The Osaka Aquarium and Santa Maria
When we were purchasing our aquarium tickets we saw that we could get a combination ticket for a cruise of the Osaka Bay on the Santa Maria for a small additional fee. What do you think of when you see the name Santa Maria? If you thought Christopher Columbus you are right. The ship is a replica of his flagship. We are not sure why they have this ship but it was a great way to see the bay and all of the industrialization of this port city.
The Osaka Aquarium was massive! It is 8 stories tall, has 27 tanks which all together hold 10,941 tons of water. The aquarium only features animals that are native to the habitats of the Ring of Fire area of the Pacific Ocean. Throughout our visit to the aquarium we enjoyed seeing the various animals but we found ourselves wondering it aquariums and zoos are ethical places. Is it right to keep wild animals in captivity? It is a great way to learn and appreciate these amazing creatures but we wonder what it is like for them to be kept in enclosures that are limited with space. What do you think?
Nagoya, Japan
Nagoya, Japan
After a 13 hour flight we landed at the Nagoya airport and turned out clocks ahead 6 more hours. Can you figure out the time difference between Auburn and Japan? Nagoya is the 4th largest city in Japan with a population of 2.3 million. Nagoya has a very different feel than Helsinki. It reminds us more of New York City with tall buildings, lots of neon lights, and typical big city attractions.
Our stay in Nagoya was short and we intended to use our time to take a break and rest and relax. But you know us! We couldn't resist exploring the city.
Our Hotel
Our Hotel
We stayed at the Lamp Light Books Hotel, which was library themed, with hundreds of books to read and borrow! Most of the books were in Japanese so we were unable to read them but enjoyed looking at the pictures.
Next we visited the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Technology and Industry. You may have heard of Toyota cars, but this Japanese company started by making looms and textiles. Mr. Toyada was an inventor creating his first invention when he was 23 years old. You might be wondering why the company's name is "Toyota" when the founder's name was "Toyada." They changed the name because there were 10 Japanese characters in Toyada, instead of the 8 in Toyota, and8 is a lucky number in Japan. Do you have a lucky number?
Toyoda's son followed in his father's footsteps, but was more interested in automobile innovation, which is how the first Toyota cars were created.
Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle
We started our day at the Nagoya Castle built in the 1600's. Unfortunately it was burned down in 1945 during the war, but they have restored it. There was also a palace with painted walls. Surrounding the castle and the palace were both an inner and outer moat, along with gardens.
Walking around Nagoya
Walking around Nagoya
After a power nap in the afternoon, we went back out at night. We found Oasis 21, which is a spaceship-shaped structure, with an observation deck. Below the structure were lots of shops and restaurants.
Tomorrow we take the train to Osaka!
The Questions!
Peyton P. asked if it's difficult to learn or understand the language in Japan. The answer is YES! It is especially challenging because our alphabets are so different. Thank goodness for Google Translate!
Cillian asked if they make toys in Japan. The answer is YES! Where there are children, there are toys. At the castle, we saw toys from the past and in the shopping plaza we found a store full of toy vending machines. We also can't forget that Japan is home to Nintendo, Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and Playstation. See our photos.
Haleigh asked if it's summer in Japan. Another big YES. It was 91 degrees yesterday, but the "real feel" was 106! Many people carry fans to cool down and carry umbrellas to protect themselves from the heat.
Follow up Finland questions
Follow up Finland questions
Natalie asked how the word "Jokaisenoikeudet" is pronounced.
Here is the phonetic spelling: Yoh-kah-ee-sen-oy-keh-oot-et
Natalie also asked for the recipe for Reindeer Pie. Here is a link to a recipe: http://www.arctic-cloudberry.com/2015/02/summer-in-lapland-smoked-reindeer-quiche.html If you make it, be sure to invite Ms. Calarco over!
Alia asked what Finland is known for. They are known for a great education system, reindeer (and the home to Santa Claus!), good chocolate, and nature.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland
In just a short amount of time we explored many different parts of Helsinki! Helsinki is Finland's capital city and is home to about 700,000 people. It was founded in 1550 while it was part of the Swedish Kingdom. Because of this Swedish background the country of Finland actually has two national languages: Finnish and Swedish. Scroll through our pictures and read the captions for more information!
The Oodi Public Library
The Oodi Public Library
The Oodi Central Public Library is one of the most amazing libraries we have ever been to. They have a collection of 70,000 books but offer much, much more. They say "Oodi provides its users with knowledge, new skills and stories, and is an easy place to access for learning, story immersion, work and relaxation. It is a library of a new era, a living and functional meeting place open for all."
Did you know that the Finnish people borrow more library books than any other country?
Meeting Jukka Sinnemaki
Meeting Jukka Sinnemaki
Jukka is an inspirational educator. We have learned that Finnish schools and American schools face similar struggles and have similar successes. I am excited to engage with his book titled "Me Book."
Let's answer a few questions!
Alia asked- What kind of music did you hear in Finland? We heard a little acoustic guitar on the street and then we heard music in our Ubers. Most of the music we heard was kind of a variation of pop and songs you might hear in a disco. Sadly, we didn't get a chance to appreciate Finland's music culture.
Mariah asked-How is your vacation going? So far it is absolutely amazing! It has definitely been very busy, we are trying to take in as much as we can in the time we are away!
Kara asked-Why is it important to travel and learn about other cultures? We believe it is important to learn about other cultures because when you immerse yourself in different cultures you develop an understanding of how people live, think, and solve problems across the globe. This exposure helps prevent stereotypes and prejudices that often result from a limited perspective. You also develop cultural empathy, the ability to see the world through the eyes of others.
Ava A asked-What is your favorite part of Finland? Genesee Ms. Calarco loves how important nature is. She agrees that being out in nature can heal the heart and mind. High School Ms. Calarco loved how CLEAN everything was. There was no litter on the streets at all. She also appreciated how considerate everyone was of each other. Mrs. Mlod's favorite part of Finland were the saunas and connecting with nature.
Next stop-Nagoya, Japan.
Connecting to Nature
Connecting to Nature
The Finnish people have a deep connection to Nature. They believe that everyone has the right to utilize natural places to find peace, joy and serenity. This is so deeply rooted in their culture that they even have a law known as "Jokaisenoikeudet" or "Everyman's Right" This law means that ANYONE in Finland has the right to roam the countryside and forests freely, as well as fish with rod and reel with no permits.
The Finnish people have a deep connection to Nature. They believe that everyone has the right to utilize natural places to find peace, joy and serenity. This is so deeply rooted in their culture that they even have a law known as "Jokaisenoikeudet" or "Everyman's Right" This law means that ANYONE in Finland has the right to roam the countryside and forests freely, as well as fish with rod and reel with no permits.
We decided that we should discover nature's healing powers for ourselves. We visited Sibelious Park right inside of Helsinki and then took an adventure to Nuuksio National Park in Espoo, Finland (about 30 minutes from our hotel).
We decided that we should discover nature's healing powers for ourselves. We visited Sibelious Park right inside of Helsinki and then took an adventure to Nuuksio National Park in Espoo, Finland (about 30 minutes from our hotel).
Sibelius Park
Sibelius Park
Sibelius Park is named for composer Jean Sibelious who lived between 1865-1967. "Sibelius is the most notable composer in the history of Finnish music and one of the most influential men in Finnish culture. -From a plaque in the park
To honor him a monument of welded pipes was created to continue share his vision of tonal experiements. On a windy day you can here sounds from the pipes.
After our stroll through the park we enjoyed some Reindeer Pie at a restaurant geared towards the outdoors. The restaurant featured kayak rentals, outdoor seating and a fire pit to roast your own sausages and Smores!
Check out the captions to learn more!
Nuuksio National Park and Nature Center
Nuuksio National Park and Nature Center
Wow! This park and the nature center exhibits were incredible. Even the drive to get there demonstrated how much they care about nature. Trees lined the highways and there were moose crossing signs everywhere! We even saw people just rock climbing on the side of the road.
The Nature Center
The Nature Center
We entered the Nature Center and checked out the exhibits first.
Their first exhibit was titled "Burn to Be Wild" It was a fascinating and highly interactive exhibit all about the importance and benefits of wildfires. When we hear about wildfires we automatically assume it is bad but we learned that in some cases both wildfires and prescribed burns are necessary for growth and continued life.
The second exhibit was an art installation and a sensory room. It was dark with a screen on the ceiling that showed the night sky, a surround sound system played nature sounds, there was an aroma of spruce and you could feel a gentle breeze. It created a beautifully relaxing environment.
The third exhibit was all about the animals! We found all the animal hidey-holes, this interactive display showed us what it would be like to be inside different animal homes. So much fun!
Xavier L. asked what our favorite animals of Finland are. Genesee Ms. Calarco LOVES moose from any country! High school Ms. Calarco's favorite is the flying squirrel. Mrs. Mlod's favorite animal is the Eurasian blue tit.
Check out the captions to learn more.
Our hike through the park.
Our hike through the park.
Caspin, we enjoyed a lovely little hike down to one of the many lakes in the National Park. Sadly we did not see many animals but it was gorgeous! After our hike we sat at the on site restaurant and enjoyed the views.
UPDATE-ESTONIA
UPDATE-ESTONIA
We had a question from Oliver H about Estonia. He asked if kids still drink beer? The answer is no, the legal drinking age is 18 in Estonia.
Estonia
Estonia
I know we said we were only visiting two countries but after discovering Estonia was only 2 hours by ferry (more like a cruise ship) we decided to jump aboard and visit.
Estonia is a country of about 1.3 million people but is larger in land size than neighboring countries with much larger populations. Estonia gained it's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but approximately 40% of the residents are Russian speaking. During the time Estonia was in the Soviet Union they faced significant economic hardship but since gaining independence their economy has flourished.
The Ship and Sea Views
The Ship and Sea Views
We traveled across the Bay of Finland which is part of the Baltic Sea. Even though the Baltic Sea is about 10,000 years old it is considered a young sea in geological terms. Because it is young it is relatively shallow so in order for large ships to cross it had to be dredged to create shipping lines. It is also unable to be a habitat for any seafood other than fish because it has less salt content than older seas.
Art, Architecture and Cultural Norms
Art, Architecture and Cultural Norms
Estonia has a rich and vibrant culture but some people might think that Estonians are rude but they are NOT! Our tour guide explained that in Estonia they do not like small talk, they believe that small talk is wasting someones time which they value. So for them small talk is rude.
The most common religion in Estonia is Lutheran, however, the majority of Estonians believe in a more nature-based spirituality. Estonians believe connecting with nature is an important part of their lives and well-being.
Tallinn, Estonia the capital city has been a bustling port since the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages it was home to many pirates. Many of the structures from the 1400's still exist today including wealthy merchant homes, the town hall, churches, and the oldest continuosly operating pharmacy in the world that dates back to 1422. Wow! We found it interesting that some buildings from the 18th century were not considered old.
The Food
The Food
We took a very interesting tour to learn about the food and history of Estonia. Our tour guide Svetlana(Lana) was a wealth of knowledge, witty, and clearly passionate about her culture.
We learned about the foods that were eaten during the Middle Ages, during Soviet Rule and their good old fashioned comfort foods.
Did you know that in the Middle Ages EVERYONE including children drank beer because the water was not safe? The beer was also very low in alcohol during that time.
Check out the captions to learn more about the foods we tried!
First Day in Finland
First Day in Finland
Monday, 6/30/25
We landed in Helsinki, Finland at 1:30 pm Finnish time. Feeling a bit tired we spent our first day getting adjusted to the 7 hour time difference and recovering from our overnight flight.
Aaliyah S. asked about the weather, upon arrival it has been blustery in the mid 60's, which is common temperatures for summer in Finland. What we found most interesting is that there is 19 hours of daylight here. We saw the sun set at 10:45 last night and the sun was back at our by 4 am this morning.
Progression of the sun setting from a patio area near our room.
Progression of the sun setting from a patio area near our room.
Our Hotel
Our Hotel
We are staying at a hotel just outside of Helsinki on the Bay of Laajalahti. It is a quiet neighborhood that features spectacular views!
Finnish Foods
Finnish Foods
Adalynn L asked about foods, we spent the day trying several traditional Finnish dishes see the captions for details. Both Ms. Calarco's favorite was the Shrimp Skagan.
Mrs. Mlod's favorite was the Smoked Salmon Soup
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Saturday, 6/28/25
Our trip has officially started, but we are still in the airport! Don't forget to ask questions!!!!
The Ms. Calarcos left from Auburn at 8:30 in the morning, where we had our wonderful mother drive us to New York City and JFK airport. Mrs. Mlod also left her home at 8:30 but she caught a three hour flight from Orlando to meet us at JFK.
After arriving to the airport we have had about 8 hours of time to fill, it sounds like a lot but we know how to find fun! We explored different airport terminals and had to travel to them by train!
Terminal 5
Terminal 5
Our first stop for fun was at the TWA hotel. We played giant twister and found a secret hidey hole and got comfy! Ms. Calarco found a super fun spinny chair to play on.
PXL_20250628_215856765.TS (1).mp4Terminal 8
Terminal 8
Once it was time for us to go through security we went right to our terminal. There we found an awesome interactive display where travelers could share what makes them special! We were able to find a gaming lounge to play some classic Nintendo.
While we wait for our flight we also practiced a few Finnish phrases:
Hello-Hei
Thank you-Kiitos
Our flight will take off in a few hours and we will land at 7 am EST June 29th. Can you tell us how many total hours it took to get from our homes to Helsinki?
That is all for today, see you in Finland!
Hyvää yötä----Good Night
Welcome to our blog!
Welcome to our blog!
5/30/25
In one month both Ms. Calarcos (Genesee Librarian and High School Science Teacher) and Mrs. Mlod (Retired Genesee Librarian and active Rotarian now living in New Smyrna Beach) will be traveling to Helsinki, Finland and many regions of Japan! Students who ask questions along the way will be entered to win a souvenir from our journey. To ask a question simply fill out the Google Form!
Mrs. Mlod, Ms. Calarco, & Ms. Calarco in Kenya
Why Helsinki, Finland and Japan?
Why Helsinki, Finland and Japan?
World Expo 2025
World Expo 2025
This year the World Expo will take place in Osaka, Japan and is the main reason we are traveling this summer. Now you might be wondering what a World Expo even is. Take a look at how the International Bureau of Expositions describes the event and a bit of it's history. But in short a World Expo is an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale. With this in mind the planners of the Osaka Expo have themed it to be focused on the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Jukka Sinnemaki
Jukka Sinnemaki
Many in our Auburn and New Smyrna Beach communities have helped support the efforts of Farmer Tantoh Nforba to achieve the UN SDG for Clean Water and Sanitation in Cameroon and beyond. Ms. Calarco and Mrs. Mlod are fortunate enough to serve on the board of The Farmer Tantoh Foundation along with remarkable individuals around the world. One of the other board members is Jukka Sinnemaki from Finland. Jukka is a notable educator as a past winner of the Global Educator Prize. While in Helsinki we will be meeting with Jukka to learn about his work as an educator, his PHD work regarding mental health and teacher burn out in European schools and about his self-reflection guide book titled, Me Book .
In February of 2022, the Ms. Calarco's attended the World Expo in Dubai, Unite Arab Emirates. While there they visited over 75 country pavillions. See the blog to learn more about that trip.
Learn about our two favorite parts of our Helsinki visit below!
Learn about our two favorite parts of our Helsinki visit below!
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