Finland, the country of a hundred thousand lakes, the country of the Sami, a people of Finnish Lapland to be discovered, here's how to get there and who the Sami are, their traditions and why it is worth knowing them.
When one decides to leave to visit the Finland often and willingly identifies this country of the great North with its capital Helsinki, the Marimekko brand and the sauna. Yet there is much more. Do you know that Finland is nicknamed the land of 100 lakes? Did you know that the extreme part of Finland, the one closest to the Arctic Circle, is called Lapland? And although it is covered in snow most of the year is it still inhabited?
Of course, we no longer have the great colds of the past, yet still there today Lapland expresses its great charm both in winter and in summer. During the winter, temperatures drop well above 30 degrees below zero, while in the summer the large coniferous forests are repopulated with animals including bears and… 'mosquitos'. In fact, in summer you have to be more afraid of 'mosquitos' than of bears, and it is no coincidence that the best-selling t-shirt is the one that reads:'Mosquitos, Lapland air force'.
Apart from these initial considerations, Lapland is still inhabited today by the Sami (or Saami), an indigenous population living in one semi nomadic state and is divided into small nuclei distributed between Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
The Sami (or Lapps) speak their own language, have their own flag (even) and the facial features seem a cross between the Finns and the Eskimo populations of the Inuit. How do they live? You will not believe it, but the Sami (or Saami) more tied to tradition they still live in tents (kota) covered with reindeer skins, not so dissimilar to American Indian tents.
What is the main activity still today? L'reindeer herd which appears to be one of the main sources of livelihood along with fishing. Today, however, those wishing to meet some representative of this population would no longer find them on the back of a reindeer while they manage their herd, but perhaps on a roaring snowmobile, which is indispensable today especially in winter.
Personally, if you ever want to reach this destination, I suggest you land comfortably in Helsinki and from there take the train to Lapland. There is a comfortable sleeper train that will take you to Rovaniemi without too many stops. From there you can leave by rented vehicle or courier (in summer) to Inari, Enontekiö, Utsjoki which are some of the best places to explore the past and present of the Sámi people.
If you plan to go there in the winter, I recommend that you do it at the end of March. There will be no lack of snow and you may find the opportunity to participate in some reindeer sleigh rides. Otherwise you can try fishing on frozen lakes or go cross-country skiing. From Helsinki the Santa Claus Express, double-decker night train that will take you to Rovaniemi and Kemijarvi in 2 hours.
