FANTASTIC FANTASY

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way was the only song I kept mumbling for most part of the time I flew in the Norwegian Airlines, an 800 kilometers’ distance, from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Not that I had become a bard overnight. It was a result of the excitement that kept building in me on and on. It caught up in Helsinki airport itself when I saw most co-passengers attired in thick overalls with a hood. This set the background for my anxiety and expectation of the place I was going to reach in a couple of hours of flight. We had an appointment with SOMEBODY with whose stories we have grown up; to whom we have written umpteen letters; from whose hands, we have had received gifts as a child year after year; whose appearance itself brought joy and cheer; I am sure this will ring a bell in your minds too. Got it? YES… we are going to visit the lovable grand old darling SANTA CLAUS in his “Own land”-the Finnish Lapland’s capital Rovaniemi.

The first sight of the arrival lounge of the cute little airport was an experience by itself-the entire place decked up with all grandeur befitting the fantasy land. Santa, Santa, Santa was here, there, everywhere!! Santa with his reindeer sledge and his elves greeted us as over-hangings from the roof.

With all anxiety stimulated, we moved on to Hotel Santa Claus in a self-driven rented car. I will not be out of context here in emphasizing that any tourist in European countries on their own-the wise thing would be to engage a self-rented car. Europe is all, a place of distance, dotted with picturesque sceneries-we will be the master of time when exploring the places. Rovaniemi, situated in the banks of Finland’s longest river Kemijoki, is a charming city.

After a refreshing sauna, a rustic dinner, a good night’s sleep, an early Lappish breakfast, the designated time came for us to visit the Office of the Santa Claus in his abode in the Santa Claus village.

In this fantasy land of Santa Claus, we literally crossed the Arctic circle 66 degrees 32’ 35”-the imaginary line drawn parallel to the equator on the northern part of the world.

With butterflies flapping not only in my stomach but also in my heart, waited for our families turn for a personal audience with the ever-joyful grandpa. An appointed time had been fixed, as in any Office. All along, I was chewing the cud of getting gifts from Santa and the fun and frolic with him during my childhood days. I had even donned his garb, at Work, a couple of times during the Christmas eve parties. At long last, our turn came.

One of the ‘Elves’ walked us in-we entered the “Santa’s Office” to greet the “original” Santa Claus. And…THERE HE WAS!!  Somebody eagerly awaiting us with his unmistakable deep throated laugh- “Ho..Ho..Ho..” – a  chubby ,gleaming, white-beard, bespectacled  man, clad in the bright red coat trimmed with snow white wool, surrounded with the mystic reindeers ,elves, gift boxes and ‘jingle bells’ playing softly in the background. All of us were wonderstruck and could find the innocent child in us popping out. He enquired about each one of us, so much so, one’s nostalgic times with their grandparents’ flashes in the mind. He gave us a warm hug before bidding goodbye. He did not forget to show us the memento presented by the former President of India Sri.Pranab Mukerjee on his visit to meet and greet the Santa Claus.

We stepped out of the Office room with all glee after spending about a quarter of an hour with him –a rejuvenating experience.

We saw the reindeers in their barn-visualized the Christmas time when Santa would really ride the sledge drawn by the Reindeers and elves running along with him. Even during the autumn, the village was swelling with people. I leave it to your imagination how this place would be swarmed during Christmas.

An amazing thing we noticed was that Santa has its own Post Office and people irrespective of their ages were writing letters to Santa Claus and posting it there.

With all reluctance, we stepped out to the mundane world…sigh…

With the dream of visiting the dream land fulfilled, and with lot other dreams get lining up, I sign off for the present.

Till I lace up for the next…

J.Ram