Graham
/ 24. juni 2010 12:24
Last days in Kuopio!
I awoke on day 4 filled with energy for some reason! Extremely tired but somehow wanting to make the most of my last full day in Kuopio! I managed however to miss breakfast for the first time but with the sun shinning and other members of the company in the same position we stormed out for a lite brunch at a local cafe.
And here she is our wonderful inside terrace french styled Finnish cafe!
You see with dancers you always get a normal picture and then straight after they have top pose like they are performing all day long!
Jonas and I decided to go for a stroll around the city to do the tourist thing but Kuopio really does have some beauty!
I managed to get this great artsy shot of Jonas but as soon as he turned around.....
Like I said for every 1 serious picture you get........
Just another tourist shot for you but you've got to admit that it kinda wants to make you visit Kuopio!!
Through-out the Kuopio blogs you haven't really seen any Finnish people.. So here's a couple of Finnish men for you! Lovely
And here's a Finnish man who is demonstrating that there are indeed still people out there who wear Shell Suits from 1988! Retro cool?????
Back to the Hotel and it was time to put our best attire on for the evening performances! And no I didn't let her go to the theatre like this!!
You see much more sensible!! Allison and Riku were just bursting to get into see Argentine Ballet.
Sitting in the theatre relaxed and ready to watch this ferocious ballet company!
Interval and we were so inspired we rushed outside as fast as possible to attempt all the moves we had seen. Allison and Jing-Yi in mid flow...
And me showing how a professional does the Argentinian Tango 
Quick pit stop for food before watching Carte Blanche. We ended up in a steak house and this is actually a plate with a pizza on top, with a steak on top, with a whiskey sauce on top. I'd like to tell you it was fantastic but it tasted like frozen pizza with frying steak and go lite BBQ sauce! 
Alison opted for the healthier option of smelling food instead of eating it!!
After an amazing performance from the guys at Carte Blanche we headed to Intro Bar (yes again) where I bonded with the members hoping for an autograph!
Hazuki and Allison on the other hand try a different type of bonding techniques.
Then we bumped into Ime one of our amazing company class teachers where I decided to give her a big smacker on the cheek! Look how happy she is. 
After this the pictures seemed to stop as we danced hard all night long in the Finnish summer sun. What an amazing time we were having in Kuopio and it just seemed like fun times would continue for ever and ever.......
Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh early morning bus to airport = Sleep deprivation and uncontrolled bus activity!
All was okay though and we managed to get to the airport safely but notice how still in her tired state Alison (far right) still manages to strike a pose for the camera.
I check the board for departures and get completely confused by the choice of destinations!!!!!!!!
But last night is all to much for Hazuki and she passes out.
The Sex in The City girls were still hard at work filming part 3.
And suddenly Peder and Allison discover a magazine with a picture of them so what do they have to do right in the middle of the airport?? Of course!!!!!
There it is our state of the art propeller plane! Fingers crossed
Jing-Yi and Alison loving the free on board Finnair magazine. They found it so entertaining they ask for a monthly subscription!
Landed and the beautiful people of Skånes Dansteater begin to say there farewells!
Back in Sweden then and the sun was shinning, the wheather was warm, a smile appeared on my face, I got on my bike (named the Golden Queen), cycled home and reflected on my time in Kuopio.
Finland and more importantly Kuopio was great. The festival was well organised and the locals made a real effort to show the best of their city. My favourite shows were Carte Blanche, Danish Dance Theatre and best of all Skånes Dansteater! You see i'm not biased as how could we not be the stars of the show. We brought along the amazing Fragile|Entity by Susanna Leinonen (top Finnish choreographer) and Black Water by the No.1 Finnish celebrity/choreographer Jorma Uotinen. Oh and how could I forget the Black Cloud also!! So all in all it was a great success and i'm sure Skånes Dansteater will return to Kuopio in the near future.
For all those that have followed my blogs over the last few days thankyou so much for reading them and I wish you all a great summers break!
Signing out for now..
Graham x