Tampere

We spent the day in Tampere on Friday. What a beautful city! Population approx. 210,000.
In the morning we went to Sisu Deisel which is a client of Diemo (the company that Marty works for). It is an almost entirely automated factory that makes diesel engines for thing like tractors and combines. The degree of automation was unbelievable. There were cages and cages of large robots performing a bunch of tasks on components of the engines, and hardly any people around. There were even robots that drove around picking up heavy parts and moving them. Unfortunately photos were not allowed so you'll just have to believe it.
After the Sisu Diesel factory, we went downtown and shopped for a couple hours. Then we went for supper at the top of a large rotating building- 170 meters high. From the restaurant you can see all around Tampere which is encompassed by lakes and forest. Very beautiful. The meal was the most expensive I've ever had, but delicious. With just 2 days left on GSE it was a great way to end things off.
Today it is raining in Kauhajoki. Christina and Gailmarie went to watch a ballroom dancing competition in Vaasa. Marty is at the summer cottage at a 50th birthday party with his host family. Laurel and I were supposed to go hiking in the national park, but due to the rain we aren't. Tomorrow, Laurel and Marty are headning to Helsinki. Catherine, Gailmarie and Christina will be going out to a summer cottage on the ocean for the day, and heading to Vaasa on Monday. Marty will be flying home on Monday and the rest of us will be continuing our travels for another 1 to 2 weeks.