Getting ready for Vappu

seychelles · Post by **seychelles** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:45 am

We're looking forward to celebrating our first Vappu. I've heard about the eve festivities, but I was wondering about logistics at Kaivopuisto.

1. What time should we be there to find a spot? We have two toddlers also.
2. Which areas are better protected from the wind?
3. Are dogs allowed in the park? I have two small west highland terriers.
4. Is it ok to bring a small grill?

Thanks in advance!

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biscayne · Post by **biscayne** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:05 pm

It's nice that you want to join in the festivities etc., but I'm not sure if you really understood the whole thing. Vappu eve in Finland is basically one of Europes major drinking festivals of the year, and in scope it rivals even St. Patricks day in Ireland. You will be surrounded by people hammered beyond belief, throwing up and urinating all around you. It won't be so bad during the day, but if you have toddlers, I'd leave by late afternoon if I were you. If the weather is nice, it will be even worse (or better, depending on your point of view)

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:13 pm

Totally right Biscayne, morning and early afternoon and then move it (unless you are drunk and do not mind the situation you described

biscayne · Post by **biscayne** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:22 pm

Rick, baby, I have to meet you. We're so in tune.

biscayne · Post by **biscayne** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:25 pm

I mean, I'm thinking - drunk people, "small grill" and 2 small dogs = VERY bad things happening, and that's just the dogs, not even mentioning the "toddlers"

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:35 pm

That are a lot of things to control yes

You could start by building a fence with 220 volt on it

Not much meat either on those terriers would the Korean say

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:51 pm

seychelles wrote:4. Is it ok to bring a small grill?

Thanks in advance!

I dont think its allowed to grill in the park unless there are designated places for it..

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:02 pm

I hate to say it but I guess you are right

Amandine.K · Post by **Amandine.K** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:13 pm

It's our fifth Vappu here but first time we would do the "traditionnal" one (by that I mean getting a ballon for the kids and go to Kaivopuisto). I thought it was picnic on May 1st which was the tradition here?

mrjimsfc · Post by **mrjimsfc** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:31 pm

Amandine.K wrote:I thought it was picnic on May 1st which was the tradition here?

Well, "once upon a time", it was a pyhäpäivä (holy day) and family friendly, but somehow in the late 60s or early 70s it began turning into a "how much can I drink" day. Now they just drink themselves stupid for 24 hours in order to forget the real world, forget all their problems and forget that they can't really afford to drink like that. Pitiful!

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:40 pm

A little bit like an average weekend but then bigger

sinikala · Post by **sinikala** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:41 pm

mrjimsfc wrote:
Amandine.K wrote:I thought it was picnic on May 1st which was the tradition here?
Well, "once upon a time", it was a pyhäpäivä (holy day) and family friendly, but somehow in the late 60s or early 70s it began turning into a "how much can I drink" day. Now they just drink themselves stupid for 24 hours in order to forget the real world, forget all their problems and forget that they can't really afford to drink like that. Pitiful!

not that I necessarily disagree, but you can tell all this from Western USA .... how?

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:42 pm

sinikala wrote: not that I necessarily disagree, but you can tell all this from Western USA .... how?

They go to the church Sundays?

EP · Post by EP » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:47 pm

I thought it was picnic on May 1st which was the tradition here?

Yes, but Kaivopuisto gets REALLY crowded. For example people who live in this corner of Espoo have started to have their picnic in Aurorapuisto (the big lawn in front of Aurora Karamzin´s mansion). Way less people and a barbacue place.

mrjimsfc · Post by **mrjimsfc** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:58 pm

sinikala wrote:not that I necessarily disagree, but you can tell all this from Western USA .... how?

I'm sorry, I guess you didn't know. I was there (in Finland) and watched it happen. I've been to a lot of places in this world but Finland is the only place I stayed long enough to learn the language. Everywhere I've been there are really good people. Somehow the Finns just seemed to be a little bit better. Some day the Finnish people are going to wake up and realise that they don't have near the problems that the rest of the world has and then they won't have to drink "to forget" anymore.

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