Sauna
The Finns tend to enjoy the simpler things in life. The sauna is one of these. The sauna is the most Finnish phenomenon that there is. The sauna is in principle a very simple invention. It is a steam room in which there are wooden benches to sit on. In one corner there is the stove containing stones which are heated up either electrically, or by fire. Water is poured over the stones and the room then fills with steam. The more water you pour on the stove, the hotter it will be. The Finns think that the more your skin burns, feels hot and itches, the better it feels. The pleasure is complete when you run straight into a lake, or in the winter time into an avanto (a large hole cut through the frozen ice on top of lake) or a snowdrift.
To the Finn the sauna represents the happiness, bliss and the glory of life. The sauna cleanses both the body and the soul. It removes your stress and worries, it relaxes. There is one sauna for every three people in Finland. The Finns go to sauna once a week on average, though the frequency of this varies quite a lot between people.
Saunas are in most Finnish homes, and in almost every summer cottage. Most Finnish families have their own summer cottage where they spend many weekends and holidays participating in such activities as fishing, swimming, canoeing, etc. One of the main ideas of the summer cottage is being close to the nature. It is an excellent place to just go and relax.