In a message dated 2/21/2004 12:09:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

> You were close, Nokians are from Finland, not Sweden. The language is
> different, but just as tough to learn.
>
>
I cant agree here.     Having tried to learn both languages.
Swedish is a piece of cake to learn compared to Finnish.       It is almost a
German dialect, with very similar syntax and construction.  Many words are
very similar.
Finnish on the other hand is a pretty unique language that perhaps compares a
little to Hungarian or Greek.
I cannot even understand the english describing the 15 cases of Finnish.
Anybody who has learned it as a second language has my deepest admiration.

Incidently, when I needed tires in a hurry I found nothing correct locally
but ended up with Bridgestone which were recommended for the Vanagon by Sears !!
   My van is usually lightly loaded. The load rating was ragged edge but at
least you can inflate them to 45 psi .

Steve Cotsford
Columbia SC