It never changes

I may be seeing Antti again tomorrow, so I can ask him some questions about this exchange student/Finnish drinking problem (the former more than the latter) and how he deals with it, since he doesn't drink at all. Because I'll be talking to him I likely won't be available to go to the campfire that evening. All the better, because I need a photograph taken downtown, and I'll bet money that the fire would be just another excuse to drink. It is not the drinking itself that bothers me, it is the motivation. It would still be uncomfortable but less strange if it were just Finns doing it, but now that we have seen them do it at sauna last week, I know others will follow in their stead. it is not that they go to extremes (they don't) - it is the "I shall do it because I can" attitude, forgetting that gatherings can be just as enjoyable or even more valuable without it, and especially so when it is a conscious and deliberate decision to abstain.

As for the canoeing trip on Saturday, I did not sign up for it either because 1. it costs money, 2. it's possible to do it in Canada, 3. once you've seen one lake, you've seen most of them, 4. who wants to bet that there is beer involved somewhere along the way? 5. I just want some time to myself. Even if there's not much to do but pace around my room, it would be good to actually have some time to think and write in here without falling asleep, without being under the pressure of talking to people all the time.