Upon arriving at Jaana and Jari's ranch, I had barely put down my belongings when I had introduced myself to Jaana and she uttered what would become the catch phrase of my stay, and the beginning of my traditional Finnish experience: "Sauna is ready". From this point on I would delve into snow-filled frostbitten nights, northern lights, reindeers, coffee, and the best home-made Finnish cooking you can find.

I had arrived in the winter time in contradiction to the many suggestions I plan my visit in the spring or summer, but this wasn't the Finland I envisioned. What I wanted was a post-Christmas visit to the real North Pole, after all Santa's Village is not far from Jari's ranch. I wanted to experience the calm landscape with no sign of the sun. In fact it hadn't risen above the horizon for about 2 weeks after I arrived on the ranch. But that was alright, Iwas sick of the sun for I had seen it for too many years back in New York. My date of arrival was January 2nd, 2009. I stayed until the end of February.

Jaana is a terrific lady who loves their animals. They have 2 horses named Sakke and Aikko who I helped feed and take care of during my stay. Every chance she got she would take them for a ride. They also have 2 dogs, Remu and Eemu. There is also a wonderful cat, Leevi. All the animals enjoy their owners and their owners love their animals just the same. Jaana had taught me to ride a horse for my first time. I was delighted she took the time and effort to teach me such tasks. We would often sit down over cups of coffee or dinner, or perhaps play a card game in the kitchen. Jaana appreciates the value of bringing the family together in the kitchen, and trust me when you are in Jaana's home you are part of the family. I got to really know Jaana during this time, her travels and how she got the idea to host travelers of her own. I highly anticipate my next stay in Lapland again, as it is a time I could never forget.

Jari is the man of the forest, who loves his animals just the same. A 4 year student at Saamelaisalueen Koulutuskeskus in Inari, Jari holds some of the many traditions of the Sami in his own home. I spent most of my days with Jari making traditional Sami style knives in his workshop. On other occasions we had done some logging in the forest or would obtain food for the reindeers. Jari is very calm and very collected. One night when I was bringing the horses inside the stable, they had gotten loose. In a panic I ran in the house to inform Jari. He replied with "Okay" and non-nonchalantly finished his cigarette and put on his boots, then walked outside to yell for the horses to come back home, which they did shortly. Anybody else I know would have been in a panic but not Jari. We would also take weekly trips into town to local hardware stores to buy supplies. Jari loves to build things and always has a project in progress. He spends his days and nights working with the trees of Lapland. I still have a lot more to learn from him and I hope to return shortly so he can teach me more.

Martta, Jari’s aunt, who is living at the same building, was definitely a most delightful part of my trip. I probably talked to her more than any person I met in Finland. The best part was we never once understood each others language, however we could portray our thoughts and ideas across just fine. I spoke barely a few words of Finnish and she did not understand English. She would offer me coffee and snacks daily. Come to think of it i am not positive exactly what we had talked about, but does it really matter if we had a great time being together? Martta is a terrific lady who has grown up for nobody but her reindeers. We would often take walks to make sure the reindeers were in good condition and well fed. Otherwise we would chat about everything and anything over a cup of coffee. Make sure you see Martta as she is the best.

Staying at Jaana and Jari's ranch is one of those experiences you will never forget, however you may never be able to re-create again. I met many family members on both sides of the family who were just as great. Enjoy every moment you spend at Home in Lapland as Jaana and Jari will provide the opportunity for the ultimate Lapland experience.

PS: Ask to see Martta's "trophy room"

- Chris from NY, USA

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A month in Finland - June 2008 - Edward M. Urunsak.

I spent a little over three weeks in Jari's and Jaana's home set amongst Lappish forests circling a crystal clear lake.  In short, it was one of the best things Ihave ever done in terms of adventure, experience and freedom.  Adventure because it was the first time I'd been on my 'own' trip, experience because I learnt a lot about Finnish culture, food and language, not to mention loads of interesting skills and techniques from Jari and Jaana, and finally freedom because of the setting: the location in the open lands of northern Finland where my solitary walks, bike rides and horse rides gave me a sense of peace and quiet along with pure joy.  No noise, no heavy traffic, no overcrowding. Yet the town of Rovaniemi is near enough to spend a day or two getting to know a Finnish town.

My time there went quickly, yet at the same time it seems as though I did so much. From rouding up reindeers & catching them, to farm work, to wood work to making my own 'Puukko' - a knife out of reindeer antler with a leather scabbard - which will always remind me of my time in a land I fell in love with.

There was never a shortage of things to do, so I never felt at a loose end at all. At the same time I never felt rushed or 'busy', just satisfyingly preoccupied which constantly fed my mind and added to my skills and knowledge.  Free days were relaxing - time to explore, to read and to get to know people - like Martta, a charming elderly relative of Jari's, who always made me 'kala with loads of maito' (Fish with loads of milk, which was actually very tasty!)

Jaana and Jari themselves suited me wonderfully. They were communicative without being obtrusive and I felt a sense of acceptance around them and an ability to be quiet sometimes without any awkwardness.  Jaana's excellent English certainly made things a lot easier, but she was very acommodating with my efforts to speak some Finnish (in which I am very interested) - as was Jari. Jari struck me as a wise man with a lot of knowledge.  He's calm and was always on hand to direct me in any work I was doing.  He also had a wicked sense of reserved humour that genuinely made me chuckle more than once.

Aside from the people and the place - both of which suited me very well - there were the animals.  I have since learnt that they have another second horse, butwhen I was there I was luckly enough to get to know Sakke all by myself - a charming 'old boy' who was a ponderous yet comfortable ride.  I felt totally at ease with him and I was so lucky to be able to ride him when I liked.  Their 2 likeable and spritely dogs Eemu and Remu were also always around either playing or hanging around the gardens that looked out onto the forests and into the distance.

I've done WWOOFing at 2 other farms and at none have I felt quite as relaxed yet helpfully active as I did at Tuomela Talo.  It was truly an eye-opening wonderous experience in my opinion.

(Also Ican't forget the saunas - where I really got a taste of genuine Finnishness!)

I had an absolutely fantastic time with you – I wanted an adventure and I got the best adventure of my life. You were so kind and welcoming to me I felt happy with you immediately. I loved meeting the reindeer men and had a fantastic day experiencing life as a real reindeer woman and drinking beer at 11am!! Sitting in the forest listening to the silence was something I will never forgot, I have never been somewhere so quiet and it was so amazing and spiritual. 

I remember one morning, opening my door and snow had fallen overnight and settled. It was really deep and it looked so magical, like I had opened the door to Narnia. Every morning was wonderful, I would get up and go to see Aikko and Sakke with Eemu and Remu and enjoy talking to them and getting everything ready for the day. I would then go to see you in the main house for my first delicious coffee of the day and reindeer blood pancakes. 

My time with you in Finland was one of the best things I have ever done in my whole life..truly truly magical….and I am DEFINITELY coming back.

 

Vicky, England, November 2008

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Hi! I'm Noemi from Switzerland and I spent about four weeks in Tuhnaja with Jaana and Jari. It was in April 2007. Tuhnaja is a very nice place, nice for people who love the nature. In fact Jaana's and Jari's house is surrounded by typical Finnish forest. If you're lucky (and I was so :o) ) you can see elks; reindeers you will see a lot anyway.
Jaana and Jari are very very friendly people who give you a lot of liberty and trust. They are patient (with typical Finnish patience) and open-minded.
The one thing I'm sorry about was that in April it's still quite autumn-like and so the only job I could do was cleaning (not my favourite job actually) because in the garden there was nothing to do yet but at the end of May you will have a Tuhnaja in wonderful spring (I saw it during a short visit in Tuhnaja a month later)!
In general it was a very good time and I've learned quite a lot about Finnish culture.
And last but not least: Jari and Jaana have a wonderful wood sauna ;o)!

I hope you will enjoy your time there too!

N:o)emi

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Two weeks at "Home", during July 09, when the night never comes!

I came to Tuhnaja like a volunteer by WWOOF, but I felt at home like I was a friend from long time.
Home in Lapland is a warm place with wonderfull owners!!!
 
During my stay at Tuhnaja I hikked every day in the forest or around the lake, in a beautifull landscape.
In summer time, it's possible to walk all the night thanks to the light night.
The best was when I met some reindeers and their babies! But I missed to perceive elks (next time...)
 
Don't miss also to try Jaana's food... She has a specialty mystery... Miam miam!!!
And enjoy a good grill in the top of a mountain Kontonulkki, on a view in 360 degrees on the landscapes surroundings!
Without forgetting, a true Finnish sauna!
Home in Lapland is THE place in Lapland to relax, enjoy the silence , the quiet environment,the purity sites!
 
                 ***COME and ENJOY!!!***
  

Deux semaines à «Home», au cours de Juillet 09, quand la nuit ne tombe jamais!

Je suis venue à Tuhnaja comme bénévole par le WWOOF, mais je m'y suis senti chez moi comme si j'étais un ami de longue date. Home in Lapland est un endroit chaleureux avec de merveilleux propriétaires.

Pendant mon séjour à Tuhnaja je faisais des petites randonnées tous les jours dans la forêt ou autour du lac, dans un paysage magnifique.
En été, il est possible de se promener toute la nuit grâce à la nuit jamais sombre.
Le meilleur est mes rencontres avec des rennes et leurs bébés! Mais j'ai manqué d'apercevoir des élans (la prochaine fois ...)

Ne manquez pas aussi de gouter les petits plats de Jaana ... Elle a une spécialité mystère... Miam Miam!
Et régalez vous d'un bon barbecue au sommet d'un mont Kontonulkki, sur une vue à 360 degrés sur les paysages alentours!
Sans oublier, un vrai sauna finlandais!
Home in Lapland est le lieu en Laponie pour se détendre, profiter du silence, du calme, de la pureté des lieux!
                      ***Venez et appreciez!!!***

 

Stéphanie from France

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