*21 August 2025* It was a cold night but we were warm enough. Woke to a beautiful morning. ![[09-GNT - 1.jpeg]] Karesuando is known for the Swedish-Sámi pastor, botanist, and revivalist preacher Lars Levi Laestadius (1800–1861), whose movement, _Laestadianism_, deeply influenced northern Scandinavia. As a Church of Sweden minister in Karesuando, he became known for fiery sermons addressing alcoholism, poverty, and moral decay among Sámi and settler communities. His preaching inspired a grassroots revival, spreading through Sweden, Norway, and Finland, shaping religious life across the north. His legacy remains today. The lovely church in Karesuando, rebuilt in 1906, carries an altarpiece depicting Laestadius and two others underneath the Cross. ![[09-GNT - 2.jpeg]] We visited the log cabin used by Laestadius as a dwelling and meeting place for many years. It is still used today. ![[09-GNT - 6.jpeg]] ![[09-GNT - 3.jpeg]] ![[09-GNT - 4.jpeg]] On the wall hangs pictures of Laestadius and his wife, together with a list of his 15 children. born between 1827 and 1851. Several died very young. ![[09-GNT - 5.jpeg]] Today was the day we visited three countries, with two time zones, and a brief visit to the Euro zone. Crossing the little bridge across the river that serves as border, we entered Finland for an hour or two. It is lake country. ![[09-GNT - 7.jpeg]] ![[09-GNT - 8.jpeg]] ![[09-GNT - 9.jpeg]]![[09-GNT - 10.jpeg]] The road goes east and south for quite a while before turning north again, crossing into Norway about 40 kms south of Kaitokeino. ![[09-GNT - Map.jpeg]] ![[09-GNT - 11.jpeg]] The terrain becomes more open as you travel north, with smaller trees. ![[09-GNT - 13.jpeg]] We passed several snow-scooter crossings, replete with their own stop signs. Snow scooter tracks are marked with a red cross. ![[09-GNT - 12.jpeg]] Before 16:00 we reached our campsite in Kautokeino - an important regional Sami centre which we will write about tomorrow. Nice to draw breath (as the rain began) and anticipate a couple of nights in one place. << [[The GNT, Day 8 - Jokkmokk to Karesuando]] | [[The GNT, Day 10 - Kautokeino]] >>