Saunas and Serenity
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Helsinki, Finland
Kolkata, Finland
Finland is the world’s largest archipelago, but has only 5.6 million inhabitants. Helsinki is the capital and the country is an independent sovereign nation having gained independence from Russia in 1917. The country shares a sizable border with Russia, hence an uneasy relationship especially after the invasion of Ukraine.
Nevertheless, Finland is celebrated as the happiest country in the world, according to the UN’s World Happiness Report year after year. We think we discovered the secret to their happiness! Finns are obsessed with saunas, boasting more saunas than cars, and even have one in their Parliament building. Regular sauna use has been linked to a range of health benefits that go far beyond relaxation:
• Increases heart rate and improves circulation, similar the effects of moderate exercise — nix the stairmaster!
• May reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and stress
• Eases muscle tension and joint pain
• Improves sleep, immune system
Jerry and I are planning to add a sauna to our condo and we think Lucy will like it too!
On July 4, we celebrated our nation’s independence and freedom at a unique Azamazing Evening “Ode to Freedom”, at the Helsinki Music Center. The incredible concert hall features a beautiful 124-stop concert organ, a stunning centerpiece of the space. Its powerful acoustics combined with a lively seven-piece brass group performing some ABBA music, American Sousa and Finnish marches, a famous Jean Sibelius piece — a most memorable Independence Day! We toasted our friends and country thinking of the annual BBQs and fireworks we were missing!
A drive to a centuries-old family farm in the bucolic rural countryside allowed us to meet a charming Finnish family who gave us a nice walking tour and served us homemade pastries and coffee! The farm has horses, sheep and grows beans, wheat and an idyllic setting.
The farmer said it is his dream to come to Colorado, home of the Avalanche, to see his favorite hockey players! Note the Avalanche cap! He gave us a quick tour of the sauna in the home at our request.
