Toivonlinna

I used to work at a school in Finland, of which the name meant "Castle of Hope." They have now changed the name of the school, but the place will probably never lose its moniker. I love it.

The school began with a large farmhouse (above), and grew from there. During my time there I believe it served about 120 students, had a small seminary on the campus, and ran a summer wellness and rejuvenation program (the sauna house is pictured just below).It was really good to be back. Husband and I walked down to the seaside in front of the school on our first morning there. You look in one direction, and you see the glassy sea--there are many islands there, so it seems more like a lake--upon which I cross-country skiied on an icy cold sunny afternoon or two during the winter I lived here. In the other direction you look toward the crossing to the island just across from the school. There is now a bridge where a little two-car ferry used to cross when I lived there.

Walking back up from the seaside, you see all three major buildings on the campus: from left to right they're the boys' dorm, the girls' dorm (which also includes swimming pool and cafeteria on the ground floor), and the administration/classroom/gymnasium building.

The campus is dotted with apple trees and wildflowers. It's quiet in the summer; they no longer run the summer health program. It was really good to be back, to reminisce about the hugely significant year in my life when I worked in this place, and all the people who were so good to me when I was a long, long ways from home.