New Year 1968/1969 Among the Reindeer

I had met Hannele in the summer of '68, a beautiful Finnish girl on the beach at Taormina. Her parents, already then 300 years ahead of us Italians, had invited me to Finland for New Year's. Well, a childhood dream had come true: living on the snow, lots of snow, lots of friendliness, lots of colours, lots of serenity. A fabulous place. An island, Houtskari, where there were many cabins (Hannele's a little jewel) and inside (outside -15 to -18) a human warmth, a kindness unique that I will hardly forget, even though now, as a grandfather, I do not know what became of that splendid girl. p.s.: what a pity I cannot find her photos.