From the moment we arrive, I HEART HELSINKI!
Its green, clean and just – So! Like the Dane’s, they enjoy apartment block living, and after such a long time of doing so, have perfected it down to an exceptional art…in fact its all so civilized!
Were here to see our good friends Anu and Santuu, baring in mind, by the time we arrive, they are now the proud parents of five week old twins (we have been meaning to visit them for years – timing could have been better!). The twins are beautiful, of course – just like Mum and Dad, and everyone, even Edvin (the cute french bulldog) seems to be taking the new additions in stride.
Everything is pretty easy here, from the people, to getting around on public transport, and even the FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!!!
Oooh yes, ive found some repressed Scandi roots in my gene pool (its kinda close to Poland right?), it seems im loving ALL Finnish food. Its all too delicious for words, with staple ingredient favourites so far as follows (these are/can be eaten at all meal times) –
Potatoes – Hello
Cream – Hello
Butter – Hello
Fish – Hello
Rye bread – Hello
HELLO HELLO!! One of my favourite moto’s comes racing back to mind – “FAT IS FLAVOUR”.
The weather is a constant 30C, and the sun shines bright all day, and what seems like most of the night…as we once again walk home (home being Anu’s sisters flat – thanks Hele) from Anu’s and Santuu’s house in what seems like daylight, but its late.
On one of our days, we head out with the family, to a quaint old village town 35 minutes out of Helsinki called Porvoo. The village streets narrow and cobbled, are lined with independent stores selling everything from antiques to traditional handmade crafts. Its beautiful here, and lunch of course has a potato and fish theme once again – surprise surprise!
On our last day, we head across on a fast ferry (only 2hrs) to spend the day in Tallin, the capital of Estonia (Tick, chalk it up Jason), because we could. Hotter than hot, the day is spent walking around the old town, doing a little ‘people watching’ in the old town square, and sampling the local fare in a famous Russian restaurant…mentioning to Dean my lunch tasted weird, would become in the hours to come, my total undoing.
After snoozing for most of the ferry ride back, Santuu picked us up, taking us home for our last, and amazing farewell dinner in celebration of finally making it to their homeland.
We hope to return the generous, open hearted hospitality one day – THANK YOU!!!
WheresRu 