When I got to point �D, I saw a man skiing down in opposite direction so stopped and asked him about the present location and the Kote. He replied, "You might've gone too far. If you go ahead, you'll just hit the more difficult, harder and steeper path. OK!! Follow me!!"

So we skied down back to the skislope (point �E) together and he said, "I'll ask some staffs at the ski-lift station about the Kote which you wanna visit!! Stay here!!" and he left.

About 5 minutes later, he came back and said, "Apparentely, It seems to be out-side in the forest, not along the trail. Well!! Follow me!!" So we skied into the forest from nearby point �F together.

---------------　　　There it is!! Kote!!　　　---------------

We found the Kote 2 or 3 minutes skiing off the trail. It was on a snowshoe trail (the green line on the map). He said, "NO WONDER you couldn't get here... It might've been difficult for me to find it too, I bet..."

We went into the Kote but nobody there... There was just a fire in the middle of it. It was like our private Kote!! We sat next to each other and talked.

He asked me if I had a compass, so I replied, "No!!" Then he said, "Oh...well... The compass is one of the essential outdoor items when we go to mountains!!"

and showed me his two compasses. What he said is common sense, not too special. It seemed like I somehow took the outdoor adventures too lightly. I should prepare it next time.

"Do you have any drinks??" He asked, so I showed him a bottle of coke. Then he said, "I have something much better!!" and took out a thermos from his knappsack, poured some hot drink into a cup, and gave it to me. "Here it is!!"

Then I was like, "Oh!! Hot berry water!! Very Good!! Thank goodness!!" And, "Haha!! We always have it when we go skiing. Just do that from next time!!" He said watching me exited about the drink.

After I told him I'm Japanese, he cotinued, "Oh!! When I was working in Africa, I met some Japanese and have been friends with them. And long time ago (about 25 years ago) , I went for a trip

to the island of Japan, it took about 10 hours to go south from Tokyo by the ship, and went around it by bicycle. But I forgot what it's called..." I guessed it might've been "Hachijo island."

He lives in Helsinki and was here for the ski-trip with his family (his wife and three kids). I asked him about them and he replied, "In the morning, we just enjoy skiing together, but in the afternoon, each of us is free to do anything as he likes." Wished I could meet them.

And surprisingly, when I told him that I'm a radiologist, he said, "My wife is a physician!!" OH!! COOL!! So I said, "I can't compete with her at all......" and he laughed.

Then also pointing at the point on my map, he said, "My friend works at this information center which has lots of pictures like a museum. Also there are a restaurant and a cafe. If you go there,

you can come into contact with the Lappish culture and history." Sounded so interesting!! I should go there on the snowy days when I don't wanna cross-country ski.

We talked Lots welcoming the evening. "Let's go back on the trail now!!" We left kote and went back on the cross- country skiing trail (point �F). to be continued!!

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