Helsinki Trip Synopsis

So...as I sit here in the Helsinki Airport awaiting my flight to Amsterdam for the connection to Hannover, I can't help but look back on how busy these past few days in Finland have been. Now, I've always felt some need to visit Finland, due to its presence in my family history as well as the dominance of "Finnish Culture" in the Upper Peninsula and can't beleive that it actually happened. Just two months ago, had someone asked if I was going to visit Finland this summer, I probably would have laughed and said, "I wish". But, this is just one of the perks of studying abroad in Europe. Travel is easy, almost too easy...it makes spending money quite hassle-free. One of the nicest things about coming to Helsinki when I did was that two friends I met through Michigan Tech in Houghton who had been living in Espoo (a suburb) moved to the city about a week ago, and most graciously offered to accomodate me and show me around Helsinki and Soumenlinna.

Anywho, after a good flying experience to Finland, I arrived in Helsinki around noon on Friday. After getting oriented, I took a bus to the city center and dropped my bags at the rail station luggage center then walked around downtown. There are many good sights to see downtown, from the Cathedral to the Uspenski Church and Kauppatori Square. Not long after, I decided to find some lunch in one of the city markets. I was determined to find something that was authentic Finnish cuisine. I was in luck, there was a stand serving authentic Lapland (Northern Finland) food, something which I'd never had. The small fried fish still had the eyes in them....it was an interesting experience...but one that I certainly don't regret. Then, after some more touring around (Finnish Parliament, National Museum of Finland, etc..) I hopped on a tram to go to my hosts' home. I was instructed to get on the "3B" tram near the main station, unfortunately I didn't notice that there were 2 "3B's" and that I'd hopped on the wrong one until a few stations. Then...I got off and walked back and found the right one. Finally, I'd arrived at the Vartiainen Residence. That evening, after enjoying a nice home cooked meal (its been a few months since I'd really had home cooking) we decided to head downtown and enjoy some "nightlife". 

The next day, we headed out to Soumenlinna, which is a former Finnish and Swedish military fort that sits on an island in the bay outside of Helsinki, for a tour. It was a very nice tour, and afterwards we stopped for pizza at a place on the Island that had once been part of the Bastion Fort. It was definitely interesting to eat Pizza in such a historic place. 

Me, Outi and Janne at Soumenlinna.

After eating, we had some time to explore a little more of the island before heading back to the city to get to Stockmann (Finnish Department Store) to get some Reindeer meat (soon affectionately named "Rudolph") before it closed at 6pm. They say that if you can't find something in Stockmann then you don't need it...and after only a few experiences there, I'd agree. Its an 8 story shopping center encompassing a few city blocks. Helsinki's very own Macys or something like that. Anyways, we found it and headed back to cook it. The reindeer meal was one of the best i've had in awhile. I'll have to try to find somewhere to buy it in the US and make it sometime...

Sunday was another day filled with soaking up Helsinki. We went to this box car race at one of the nicer parks in the city and was really fun. Seeing these Finns having so much fun racing home made box cars was pretty cool. Then, I went to the Finnish Design Museum, Architecture Museum, and Kaisma Contemporary Art Museum. It was a packed day trying to get it all in before they closed at 6pm...but I did it. Even having some time to do some shopping. In Finland, they take their industrial product design very seriously. Despite a strong focus on functionalism, they are still quite stylish. Arabia and Iitaala are some big names, so I had pick up some good souvenirs. However, with any good trip, its difficult to fit all of your treasures with you, so thats where Stockmann was nice enough to accomodate...that is if you're willing to pay the price. The export services cost roughly the same as postage, and they automatically take care of the VAT deduction for you...which of course is nice, and it's insured. 

This morning when I woke up early to catch the bus to the Airport, I decided to spend some time to reflect on my time in Finland, and I've only come to one conclusion....I felt very much so at home. Perhaps it was the Soumalainen Poika inside of me feeling like I've made a pilgrimage, or also likely because of the very warm hospitality of my hosts, but either way....it was definitely my favorite destination in Europe. A good way to end it. Plus I got to enjoy some delicacies along the way: reindeer, lapland's fish, authentic nisu, and even some karjalan piikrakkaa! One thing's for sure, I'll be back sometime soon...perhaps seeing some of Finland's countryside this time.

Checkout some more photos:
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