I have never been here before but for many years I have wanted to come here and see for myself what they are doing and how it is making such a huge difference here.
In my earlier posts I have mentioned how on previous trips my wife organised everything and I just tagged along. Typical husband!
This time, I have done every bit of planning so it is still a big deal for me to be able to get to places on time, read bus, train and plane timetables and generally get myself from Point A to B.
After getting back into London from Exeter I knew I had a few hours to kill, and I didn't want to head out to my airport hotel too early, so I afforded myself a real treat. It was a spur of the moment decision the night before when I was planning my next day, so I just went ahead and did it.
I went to see Mamma Mia. Again!
While in Exeter and my first few days here I decided to eat simply and cheaply so that I could then justify the expense of a ticket to the show that I love so much. I even booked the cheap seats because I thought it was such an extravagance, but one which I will never regret.
I picked my seat online, and landed some cheap ones in the boxes, at stage level.
They are just like the seats that Statler and Waldorf have in The Muppets (the two old guys who keep making comments.)
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the box on the opposite side of the theatre was full ( they have four chairs in them) while mine had only one person in it. ME!!
The view from my seat.
The show is just about to start.
My seat. I could just move them around and lounge back.
I could see this show every day.
It was pure bliss having this box to myself for the entire show, and I could see the jealous looks from people below me, but they had paid lots more for their seat!!
Upon leaving the show, it really struck me how happy everyone was. Just looking around, every face was beaming. I can understand that.
I was talking to one of the doormen as I was leaving and I mentioned that to him, and he agreed, saying that he has only heard a very few people say that they weren't impressed.
When I told him that it was the 2nd time in just over a week I had seen it, he then said that there is a lady who has seen it about 485 times. She comes to the same performance each week. I'd love to challenge her record!!!
From there it was on to a train to the hotel at Heathrow, as I was catching a flight the next morning.
What a chore that was. I still had my luggage with me and the trains were absolutely packed. It was hard enough dragging it through the streets of Westminster to the station, but getting on to an already packed train was an ordeal in itself.
Finally got to the airport, checked in and crashed for the night.
Friday morning was up early to the airport as I didn't want to leave anything to chance.
Once on the plane it was great to see that there was an empty seat between me and the passenger on the aisle seat. Every other seat was taken.
Now, years ago I heard someone say on the radio that if you fart on a plane, it won't stink due to the pressurised cabin. I have never tested this theory, but someone near me was giving it a red hot go, and believe me, the theory is TOTALLY UNTRUE!!!!
I got a sneak shot out of the window leaving England, and then another as we dipped below the clouds for the first time as we approached Finland. Check out the difference.
Leaving England
Approaching Helsinki
Coming from a country where snow is a novelty, I must have looked like a real twit snapping away at things that these people take for granted.
More of the same occurred as the bus took me into the city to my digs.
Landed at Helsinki Airport and the cold is bone shattering. I have flown to Darwin in the wet season and the humidity just knocks you as you get off the plane. This was a similar experience, except it was the cold that was the shock.
A bus stop with the snow cleared away.
Snow in the streets.
Flats like these are everywhere.
A school playground.
Ice skating in the city centre.
Frozen sea water in the canal at my digs.
My dig, showing a balmy 0 degrees.
More frozen waterways at my digs.
A park next door.
As it was dark when I got to my hotel, I was looking forward to the morning so that I could see what everything looked like, and going out exploring.
The view from my window this morning.
From my window.
I'm actually out on the ice.
Proof that I am on the ice!!!
A view from on the ice.
Another view from on the ice.
Tomorrow's plan. Go and see what this building is.
More frozen waterways.
My digs in daylight.
The square has been cleaned, a family plays on the snow.
Market on the harbour. Ate possibly the nicest hotdog from here.
Heading down this street to the city centre.
Ferries in the harbour, note the ice.
Another ferry.
A remnant of Christmas perhaps?
Random street shot.
Ice skating in the city.
In the distance you can see people walking on the ice. This grabbed my attention, and within 10 minutes I was on there too.
On the ice. My first steps were with great trepidation, and later on I saw how thick it was.
A family stroll.
At the edge, this ice was about 40cm thick.
And finally, is this going too soon?!
So my first day in Helsinki was great. I got out and checked out a local indoor market that is on the 'list of things to do when in Helsinki'. I wasn't disappointed as it was amazing to see the myriad of foods on offer. Interesting is another word to use, as there was so much food to check out, but I wasn't game to try the different seafood concoctions.
I did however try something at a bakery, a doughy sort of pastry that had a lot of yellow stuff in it that I presumed was custard.
Well, was this thing good!!! So good in fact that I bought another similar one at a bakery in the city later on that was filled with fruit. Bliss!!
It was soon after that I was venturing on to the ice, and I thought after having the best hot dog, followed by two artery thickening pastries that the ice may just give way. Luckily the ice was stronger than my willpower to refuse such tasty delights!!
Back to my digs and straight to the gym to work off today's food and to erase the guilt!!
Tea tonight is noodles in my room, for as I said earlier, I'm eating on the cheap because I treated myself to Mamma Mia. And I'm happy with them after what entered my body earlier today!!
Tomorrow is more exploring, going to look at the cultural side of things as there are many historical buildings around me. Also have to check out the local transport system so that I'll know how to get to my schools this week.
Until my next post,
Cheers!
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