So it has been already 4 days since my arrival in Finland and only 3 since I have been in Oulu and already I have re-strengthened my friendship ties with many friends that I have met during previous stays in 2003 and 2001.
The first Oululainen (person from Oulu) to call me was Jyrki Raatikainen, the drummer in one of the most important band in Finnish alt rock, Radiopuhelimet. Although I would have liked to visit his cottage in neighbouring Ruukki and have smoke sauna there, I preferred staying in Oulu and preparing the course. Well, actually a lot of sleeping...
Jyrki kindly invited me to see Judas Priest and In Flames, that were playing at Oulu Jäähalli Monday evening but i declined and tonight it was nice to see him at his house, and talk about music and some other artists of the Finnish scene, like Jolly Jumpers (they have a new album that i will talk about in some upcoming EarPlugz) and also about the next Radiopuhelimet album, of which i have heard the demo. It will be typical funky hardcore from these guys but, it is quite good.
I also met again Kirsi Soiluaho, a nice intelligent woman, by sheer luck as she was preparing a Cafe Lingua. She was leaving for St.Petersburg but promised that upon her return we would have at least the chance for a coffee and a chat.
Then there was Esa Rahtu, a student in Electronics working on feature recognition. More than happy to show me his latest article related to his research. And last but not least, Johanna Leppälä, a Ph.D. candidate in Biology working in speciation, showed me her new apartment on Yliopistokatu and we talked about evolution and the state of Finnish education at Oulu University.
And i guess there's more to come since I have yet to enter a bar in this northern city, capital of Finnish heavy metal. Speaking of which, I have heard Kotiteollisuus new single and it bites.
Well, signing off before I doze off on the keyboard.
And, yes, I almost froze my toes tonight. Cycling at -25 is not the best idea in the world. My toes were all white this time. Yes, I still have them all. Don't try this at home, kids.