Foreigner

Well I've been into the city a few times now on my own. It would be an understatement to say I stand out. Last weekend I went out on a nice mild, sunny day in a tee shirt. Literally everyone stared as I crossed the bridge into the city. They all had at least two layers on. Now this I don't understand. When I am freezing, all the Finns seem to wear little and when I think, okay this is quite mild, they all bundle up! What is with that?
Also, I now have a fear of being spoken to at the till. If it's not just the total price to pay, I have to stammer "Sorry, English" in an apologetic tone and then the nice young people switch or the older indifferent people either ignore me, or carry on in Finnish. Last week I decided against my purchase based on this fact, since the only person serving was much older and likely to ask me something I didn't understand. 
Also, the fact that I am not afraid to meet people's eyes and hold it marks me out. Finns seem terrified of holding your gaze out in the street. The same can't be said of host family. Host mum and her sister have rather wide eyes and I find myself unable to look at them too long when I speak, which seems horrible but it's like when people don't blink for ages....


Also my obsessions with Moomins. Well to be honest the Finns have a fair obsession too, although my host mum admitted she wasn't helping mine by giving me more stuff. I have moomin sheets, a new bowl for my daily cereal.... I feel fully initiated now though. I have sampled some fish (hated it) and been to sauna a few times. I am learning that you must stay on the right hand side of footpaths to avoid bicycles!