Antonia Pierre, formerly of Freeport, at an "Old Dance" in Finland
I was in Finland for about 5 months when the planning for Vanhojen Tannssit or Old Dance began. I was a bit not interested because, 1 I needed a dance escort and the finnish guys are too shy for words, 2 I didn't have a dress, 3 I didn't think that I could learn the dances and 4 I just didn't feel like being bothered. However, my host mother encouraged me to do it by saying that it was a good experience and also, while in Finland I should do as the finns do. So I started to go to practices, and still didn't have an escort. Then through a common friend I met a work exchange student from Holland, AD Broeren and we began to dance, he had his suit and everything before I even had a dress, but slowly it all started to come together. We had two shows, one for the parents and one for everyone else who wanted to watch, and pay. It all went well and I must say that I had a good time, learning all of those old finnish dances and making a new friend. The photos that I hope you can see are of, Ad and I at the dance for the parents, one of another work exchange student who is from Polland and I, one with my host sister, Aino and I, when I was trying to teach her a few steps and one with my dear friend Marika Somero, before the last show.
ATonia PIErre
