09 Jul 1985, Posted by Scott An Chora in Travelogue, No Comments.
07/09 Northern Finland
There were about eight of us on a train traveling from Sweden across the Arctic Circle into Finland. When we reached a painted line across the tracks, the train stopped and they ushered us out for a celebration. When the speeches were over, they actually gave each of us a certificate validating our crossing, woopty-do. It was a nice opportunity to stretch our legs, until we came to learn that this leg stretching exercise would continue for another few hours. There wasn’t a restaurant or anything to accommodate us except for the line across the tracks. We all sat in a single car waiting for a new engine to arrive. Between us, there were only two bags of chips and a bottle of rum. We tried unsuccessfully to kill the boredom by discussing our travels and passing around the rum and chips.
As we headed south, another American joined our social group. He was the poster child for what gives us Americans a bad name abroad. He criticized everything for not being absolutely the way he thought things should be, the way it was back home. Differences only confused him. He even got into an argument with the conductor who asked him three times to remove his feet from the seat in front of him. As the ride wore on he decided to take a nap and asked me to wake him before his stop. What comes around goes around sleepy head. I got off at a small whistle stop between Kemi and Oulu, with plenty of time to wander about the countryside and take a few pictures.
I was carrying some bread left from lunch and headed toward a relationship with some local birds down along the shore. I enjoy gaining natures trust and would reward the brave ones with extra crumbs. They would battle among themselves along invisible lines of color and size. It’s all so interesting to watch unfold. I eventually roamed in search for some privacy. I felt dirty from touching the birds and thought that this would be a good opportunity to take a swim. Apparently I was wrong. I knew I wasn’t alone when I heard laughter coming from behind the trees.
There was a park bench with a pair of young ladies who thought the whole idea of me not noticing them was funny. I wasn’t sure if I had been singing to myself or if the cold water had caused shrinkage, or what. They came down and introduced themselves. Sisters, not more than two years apart who joined into my social experiment involving their local birds and the distribution the rest of my bread. I was bombarded with questions and eventually they began tempting me to change my plans and spend a few days with them. They would show me the countryside they way they wanted too. I was tempted when they started to dangle unknown places and uncharted opportunities. They shared an apartment and explained that they didn’t get many guests, especially travelers from California. Although tempting, I had a schedule to keep and needed to keep moving. They accompanied me to the train station to see me off. After a couple of beers and no visibility of a clock they successfully sidetracked me into another conversation. Without a reference I lost track of time. They thought it so funny and celebrated their victory. The two of them started walking backwards away from me, waving goodbye as if I was actually pulling away on a train. Since I had four hours to now burn until the next train, I agreed to follow the two young ladies to their apartment and experienced their hospitality. We cracked open a six pack and they prepared me a homemade meal. Having sex with two sisters, it that incest?
