Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Last of Finland

I just sent the manuscript off for its edit! I am glad to be done but sorry to see it go.
I have become very fond of this nation, with its inscrutable proverbs. And besides, Finland has some of the quirkiest fun facts. Here's a favorite:
Some experts estimate that there are 77 billion--give or take a few million--trees in Finland that are at least 4 feet (1.3 m) tall.
So...
77 billion trees
5.3 million people
2.8 million saunas
24 pounds (11 kilograms) of coffee drunk per person every year (about 5 cups a day)
6 world champion rally race car drivers
1 Heavy Metal Eurovision Song Winner

Also, did you know that in Finland you have the right to pick wild berries? Yes. And wild mushrooms too.

And now, the Netherlands.

5 comments:

Nancy said...

Finland in the blogging hands of Fresca was great fun! I'm looking forward to the Netherlands.

ArtSparker said...

As you might expect, Monty Python has a routine...It's an old one, about trying to come up with racial slur for Belgians (presumably so they wouldn't feel left out).

momo said...

oh, yes, the Eurovision champeens!

Jennifer said...

I'll miss Finland! Defenders of the inalienable human right to pick berries and mushrooms!

I know the Netherlands as only a collection of jumbled cliches--wooden shoes! Windmills! Dykes!--mixed in with a postmodern image of freewheeling Amsterdam to create a complete mess. :D I'm looking forward to getting a better look at it...

Also, my word verification is Foofilla, which just seems like it might be a good Moomin name, somehow.

Fresca said...

I too am looking forward to the Netherlands. I mostly know it as Rembrandt and Anne Frank and tulips and hashish.... Will be interesting to see what else I find.

JEN: Foofilla could be your Moomin name!