A day at the May markets

Today we celebrated May Day, or First of May if you'd like to call it that way. Swedes say "Första Maj" or the more accurate term "Valborg", while we Finland-Swedes use to call it "Vappen". In English it would be Walpurgis Night... though it's most celebrated during the bright day.

Anyway, I went on a little trip with two friends on this day. First we visited a small market in a village, but it didn't last long until we headed to the big market at the city square. The place was literally crowded with people walking between the many booths that offered toys, shirts, headgears, leatherwork, woodcrafts, food & drinks, popcorn, etc etc. There were quite a few game booths which offered a prize to the winner. There was even a small art gallery with paintings for sale, mainly paintings by Kaj Stenvall and Jack Vettriano (I love the paintings by the latter).



Of course, there were lots and LOTS of candy! It was crazy with all the candy booths, they were almost everywhere and even on the opposite of each other. It's like you look towards a candy booth, you turn your head and lo! Another candy booth! I'd say that is where the origin of caries come from. XD My friend bought some English fudge (no kidding, they were actually from England!) and I got to take a bite - it was frickin' delicious! <3


The food there was delicious too! I ate a small pancake with ice-cream and maple syrup, afterwards I ate one spring roll and lastly a rather big portion of "muikku" - a Finnish delicacy consisting of fried vendance dipped in flour and cooking oil. The small fish can be eaten as whole, even the fins and its head. A bit crispy. Mmm... ;)


Then we made some other purchases. The only difficulties we had were wherever we walked in that city square, we often ended up walking towards the current and people shoved and stepped on others' heels (actually it was only my friend who stepped on my heel twice xD). But otherwise the three of us had a great time together. Time passed a couple of hours until we decided to drive back home.

Now there's only one thing I really miss for this celebration is home-made mead with raisins. :'( But there were not any mead for sale at the square, which is a surprise that many merchants "ditched" it like that. It's kinda sad, the mead has been a tradition in many years to be consumed start on First of May, then it would be over after a week or so. Looks like I won't have any mead this year. *sighs*

So, this was basically my day and my beginning of May. Today I really felt that Spring has finally arrived at its fullest. I think I'll just relax for the rest of the day - it's Sunday after all. ;)
Happy May Day! ^_^

Take care! Ha det! <3
~ Char