Kiitos Finland!

I arrived in Hesinki, Finland, yesterday afteroon and it has been fantastic. I am definitely a smaller city lass. 

I started off the afteroon speaking with a young Australian traveller who has just lamded her first big part in an up and coming Australia series 'Glitch' airing in September this year. I could not believe how modest and down to earth this girl (Hannah Monson) was. I had always experienced young artists to often talk people who were not artists as though they were 'commoners' or just were not on the same page as them. Hannah has clearly reached great success but only talked about her career when being questioned.  I am reallly pleased for Hannah that she has landed this role, and look forward to seeing her on the telly! It was very interesting to learn more about the acting world.

A little bit about the TV show Glitch: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4192782/

After making some dinner in the hostel, and writing an article about my University study in Lthuania for 'Muso Pastoge', the Lithuanian newspaper of Australia, I headed to the 'Ekmen' jazz club next door for a class of wine. Unfortunately I just missed the band playing (they do not run on Spain time here). The band told me that above the jazz club is someones house and that they have to be quite after 10pm.It was so great talking to the band and meeting everyone in the bar. The singer of the band is a part of the 8% of Helsinki that speak Swedish as their mother tounge. Some of their songs are in English and some in Swedish, and it was the launch of their CD that night. Even though I didnt even hear the band, I bought their CD as they were just such nice people.

There were some tipsy supporters of the band their, who were just so pleased that I was visiting Helsinki, and even more pleased that I was taking photos of them. I have been asked to keep in contact and was given some business cards. 

I had a go at pronouncing all of the long Finnish names, and my new friends were impressed! One of the ladies was telling me that she was considered to be odd, dancing in a lively way, as this is not normal for Finnish people, ad they are considered to be much more serious.

Havis Amanda is one of Vallgren's Parisian Art Nouveau works. She is a mermaid who stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions. She is depicted leaning backwards as if to say goodbye to her element. Vallgren's intention was to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki. The height of the statue is 194 centimetres and with the pedestal it stands 5 metres tall. According to Vallgren's letters the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian lady, Marcelle Delquini.

'Temppeliaukio Kirkko'. The 'rock church' in Helsinki.

'Temppeliaukio Kirkko'. The 'rock church' in Helsinki.

The  Sibelius-monumentti ' (Sybelius monument) is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957). The monument is located at the Sibelius Park (Finnish: Sibeliuspuisto) in the district of Toolo in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland.

Underneath the  Sibelius-monumentti ' (Sybelius monument).

In the morning I went on an audio tour through all of the city. It was great to learn about Finland's history such as the tug of war between Russia and Sweden, prior to Finnlands independance,and to learn some funny facts. I found out that the Finns drink the most coffee in the world. I also found out that there are so many Sauna's in Finland, that if every person in Finland was to have a sauna session at the same time, there would still be left over saunas.

Helsinki has about 600 thousand people but an amazing transport system and health care system for that matter- no health care is privatised, it is paid for in tax and is affordable for all. It is an expensive city (prices feel similar to working in Australia) but the people seem to be looked after well, like in Australia.

After the audo tour, I spent a lot of time at the traditional market, which was amazing. I am lucky because it is only held once every 2 months. I ate the most delicious food, including the best fudge that I have ever eaten, and the tastiest fish  'Muikku' (I think) . Sometimes I pretend that I understand what everyone is saying because I love the language so much.

A local Finn enjoys Muikku, yum yum!

I bought some garlic and honey chutney and various chocolates from this mans stall.

Sauna, then eat a sausage like a true Finn.

A busker plays the accordinan.

I warmed up with a black vanilla tea at the famous restaurant 'Kappeliä' in the Eslenadi Park

Restaraunt which was built in the 14th century, which was delightful.

Currently, I am on the ferry on the way to an island 'Suomenlinna'. Suomenlinna  is a maritime fortress that was built off the coast of Helsinki in 1748. Here you can get a real feel for Finland’s position between East and West; Suomenlinna was shaped by three distinct historic eras when helped defend first Sweden, then Russia and ultimately Finland.  

After my islans visit,  headed to the 'culture sauna' facing the baltic sea. I wanted to go to the sauna upstairs from our hostel, but it turns out it was a gay sauna. I found this out, through seeing a cartoon picture of a girls, with a cross over it, then a picture of a man, with a bit tick!

The Culture Sauna was amazing. I feel that the naked sauna experience is a great way for people to be comfertable with their bodies. We took turns going outside to swim in the baltic sea, surrounded by minus 2 degree water and sharp ice and then would hop back in to the sauna, which was so incredible. The man running the sauna (who was a bit of a crabby pants) got angry with us for squealing a bit when we first got in to the water. I think he should probably tell tourists that they need to be silent before they get in to the icey water.

I headed out after the sauna with some Irish gals that I met at the Sauna and we enjoyed some Finnish beer.

Nice to　 see that doggies can also use the awesome public transport system.

With some interesting news back home, it looks like I might be doing a bone marrow donoation soon (only if I am considered to be a perfect match for the person that needs the donation). It will involve more testing, but if I am considered to be the perfect match, I will be flown to Sydney to donate some bone marrow which will be a pretty unique experience, if it happens.

In the mean time, I need to try and understand my Epidemiology Unit, and then I am heading on the plane to Tokyo tonight.

I love you Finland.

Ki itos Helsinki.

Xo

Rasa