Bianka Tanori
Douglas Dispatch

Bianka Tanori/Douglas Dispatch Silja (Sil-e-ya) Elizabet Sivula Chavez recently visited friends and relatives in Douglas. Here, she is brushing up on Spanish with the help of Dr. Seuss.

Silja (Sil-e-ya) Elizabet Sivula Chavez recently made the twenty hour airplane trip from her homeland of Rovaniemi, Finland; which is right on the Artic Circle, to San Francisco and then to Douglas to visit her grandparents and her father’s side of the family on February 10.

Silja is an 18 year old that decided to take the opportunity to learn about her Mexican culture here in Douglas while on vacation from school. She returned back home last week.

Silja is the daughter of Gabriel Chavez of Douglas and Sinnikka Sivula Chavez of Finland. Her grandparents of Douglas are Daniel and Margo Chavez.

“Everything is so different here in the U.S. than it is in Finland,” explains Silja. “I went to Disneyland and had my camera out the whole time because it was amazing to see so many children and the actual Disney characters. I even learned how to drive here in Douglas. My next mission is to learn the Spanish language. I can speak not only English, but I am also fluent in Finish and Swedish.”

Silja loved that there is a sun in the day and a moon at night, here in Douglas, very unlike her home.

Right now there is a ten hour difference in time in Finland. Finland is known as the Land of 1000 lakes, and Land of the Midnight Sun.

“During the summer, the sun is out for the whole day, there is never a night time, but that is only for two months. During winter, we never get to see the sun, and that is for four straight months! The winters are very cold and there is always lots of snow. Being here in Douglas I was able to dress in the new types of clothes that everyone is wearing. I even started collecting earrings. I was also able to see the city of Agua Prieta, Mexico. I got to experience riding a horse, which was something every exciting for me!” said Silja.

Silja is still considered a junior in High School here in the U.S. She has plans to finish her education in Finland and then apply to a university in California. She would love to become a chef, but also has other interests, such as business. Silja stated, “My grandmother has been very helpful in teaching me how to make Mexican dishes and also she has been teaching me to speak Spanish.” If anyone has any questions for Silja, they may email her at silja.chavez@hotmail.com.