Today all of Finland celebrates Vappu Day - or May day, and it's day for picnics in the park or barbecues in the yard. We joined friends in the main park in Helsinki, where everyone else was congregating and had lovely sparkling Rosé wine and snacks. The weather cooperated and so the place was packed - everyone was super friendly. I took a picture of our blanket neighbors - and they raised their glasses in a toast - very genteel!
The celebration is for the coming summer and sun and also similar to our labor day. Students celebrate the coming end of the school year and they wear these jumpsuits covered with ensignas and buttons - and fright wigs, top hats, sparkly antlers - anything fun. Those who have graduated wear their white graduation caps and this does not have an age limit so it's nice to everyone donning them in such a big crowd. We also came across Gerald's coworkers by chance - they were going to try to play cell phone tag to meet at some point, and then we just walked just past them as we entered the park. We shared fruit skewers and goat cheese snacks, and they reciprocated with two types of cheese cake. 
Everyone is still there partying but we've come home for a siesta, and if I were really mean, I'd snap a pic of Gerald zonked out on the couch right now - but I'll be nice and share these other views of Vappu Day in Helsinki - which include the return of the Messerschmidts too - a very festive day in Finland!
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