Australia Day - Finnish Style!
January 27th 2010 19:45
One of a kind: Playing AFL in -20 degrees!
Yesterday, January 26th, saw Australians celebrate their national holiday, not just in Australia but all over the world! How do I know this...because I was one of those Aussies celebrating the historic date that commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, outside of the great southern land. I was in Helsinki, Finland and how convenient that there's this place called 'Aussie Bar' smack bang in the middle of the city centre. Although quite small, 'Aussie Bar' can fit a whole lot of Aussie bogans at the same time as well as Fins and other foreigners who deep down, we all know they want to be part of the 'green and gold'.
Aussie Day started quite late for the three amigos (Georgie Burgess and Emma Ring from Tasmania and me from Melbourne) compared to a traditional day of celebration; around 4pm. A few Finnish beers, a replay of Triple J's Hottest 100, an Aussie cricket team jersey, a couple of Aussie 'yobbo' hats and Aussie tats on our faces; we were ready to show the Finnish people how Australians really roll!
The place was packed...and they weren't all Australians! I found it amazing how many people actually truly love Australia. I remember this one local girl, whom I spent some of the night dancing with kept saying to me every few seconds, "I love Aussie", "I love Aussie"...she couldn't say the plural of the word but it made it all the more awesome! When the DJ played 'I Come From A Land Downunder', the place went ballistic! It was right then and there that I was proud to be an Australian................... ......partying it up in Finland baby!!!!
The highlight of the night was the Helsinki AFL team, who were out to recruit some actually SKILLED players! They had a handball competition going outside in the snow (just like on the footy show) which I could not turn down. As a matter of fact I came third and won a t-shirt!! In addition to that, the coach came up and asked me to come out and train with the boys...I think I might just do it - show them a thing or two =) Ex-player from Geelong, Carl Steinfort was also there with the boys - but he was a bit drunk, so I didn't get to talk with him! I'll see him at training though...
Even the stars of Finland came out to celebrate Australia Day in Helsinki! Local actor, Andreas af Enehielm was amongst the crowd and I even managed to snare a photo with him. I had nothing to lose, he meant nothing to me!
A few 'TEDs' and a couple of 'snakebites' later...last night was the best Australia Day ever...outside of Australia! Because there is nothing like home - AUSTRAYA MATE!
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