Come to buy a pretzel!

A real pretzel

It has been two weeks since I was last time in Rautalampi (the over three hours train journey is too cumbersome to be done at the weekly basis), but this weekend is a special one. It's time of Pestuumarkkinat!
   It's an old tradition: a long time ago people of Rautalampi gathered every autumn to trade some goods, hire some helpers and, of course, to have some fun. Nowadays it's practically the same, except the part concerning helpers. It's the only time of year when every one of those who have moved  from their homes and those who have ever lived in Rautalampi come back.

Every Finnish market has at least one guy, who sells liqourice

   There is many traditions about the market weekend. The first one is the Pestuurock, an open-air concert at Friday evening, where the youngsters can listen local bands and get drunk despite the effort of the policymakers. But this year no one bothered to organize it, so for the great grief of our young ones, they have to find another place to booze.
   Other traditions concern the real market days, Saturday and Sunday. If you didn't lost  your wallet at the previous nights parties and you're feeling a bit hungry, you can go to buy some liqourice and pretzels, or as we call them laku ja viipurinrinkeli. If you really want to spent some many, go and buy a Jussin pussi (Jussi's bag), a plastic bag stuffed full of chips and sweets, which best before date is a bit questionable.

   But did you poor thing lost your wallet? Don't worry, we scouters are here to help you. You can go to our stall to eat some crêpes made at the open fire and drink some coffee straight from the pot and best part is, you pay what you please! (Warning: crëpes may contain some ash and needles).
   So now I am on my way to listen that lovely market bustle, the booming of firecrackers just next to my house and the interesting karaoke performancies from the beer tent.