Kuopio, a city in the Finnish heartland, some four hours north of Helsinki. Four hours and maybe a couple of years. It used to be about ten, but news travel fast these days.

Kuopio, a city in the heart of Savo, a region known for sneakiness and twisted humor. As the old Finnish proverb goes, “when somebody from Savo talks, the listener bears all responsibility.” And like most clichés, this one is true, and very much alive.

As I arrived to the rink tonight, I was told to go to the door and ask for tickets that had been left for me there. I walked to the door and introduced myself, and said that there should be two tickets for me. The man at the door looked at me and goes, “no tickets here…”

My jaw dropped.

“… but I have your name on the list,” he said, laughing so that his entire body shook.

Talking with these Savo people on April Fool’s Day is just asking for it.