It has been a fine day here in Helsinki. The last post should have been uploaded on Monday, but due to Internet problems I didn't get it online until this morning. So to add a little bit more to yesterday, I must blog about Aaron's good luck on the slot machine.
Just before leaving the pub last night Aaron decided to insert .20 euro into a slot machine. Of course all the buttons were in Finnish, so he had absolutely no idea what he was doing. After random button pushing, the machine read that he had won 24.00euros. He frantically was trying to decide what to do when some local girls came up and he asked them what he should do. They said, 'oh, you won 24 euros, you want to cash out?'. They clicked on the proper button and out came 24 lovely euros! Aaron never wins anything, so this was a big moment for him. Beer is on him tonight!
This morning started out around 9 o'clock after a rather pleasant night of rest. I was wide awake at 4 or so due to the sun shining into our little room. It is easy to forget how early the sun shines here, so tonight we will be sleeping with the curtain closed. Breakfast in the hostel costs a whopping 8 euros, so found our way to the grocery to purchase food. We managed to gather up all kinds of items and had a fine meal in the hostel kitchen. Almond croissants, eggs with cheese, fresh fruit while watching Finnish television.
We managed to get out by mid-morning and walk the town. Tomorrow we plan on visiting the island fortress, so today we just did plenty of walking around the city. Aaron wanted to visit memory lane and find his old dorm from when he studied here back in 2000. We stopped for coffee and a delicious chocolate-mocha pastry along the way. We also visited a couple of churches as we meandered the streets. One was a Russian Orthodox built in the mid 1800s and the interior was very ornate and beautiful. We found Aaron's old stomping grounds without problem. The building just looks like a typical college dorm, but it was nice to see where he lived back in the day.
Aaron then showed me around the area near his old dorm before we headed back to the city center to find lunch. We dined at a restaurant that mainly attracts the locals. The food was very good and the waitstaff was so friendly. There was no reindeer on the menu like the LP guide said, but that was okay. The meat and pasta dish was just perfect and we were plenty full upon our departure. I think we might re-visit tomorrow.
This afternoon we continued to walk and walk and walk. We made our way along the water front to take in the lovely scenery and to smell the pine-scented air. Lots of people were out and about enjoying the day. We even stopped for ice cream even though weren't terribly hungry, but it just looked so appetizing. I got cherry and Aaron got coconut flavored. We sat on the water front watching the geese and enjoying our treats. I have never seen the species of geese that currently reside here, so a new Lifer for me!
We then slowly made our way back towards the hostel. We did manage to find a really nice little indoor market that sold all kinds of quality foods. The fish looked amazing. Tomorrow I plan to buy a salmon stuffed pastry to try. The fruit and veggie stands were beautiful, and the berries looked especially perfect, so that might be a purchase tomorrow as well. We are so used to visiting markets in third world countries where fish guts are everywhere and the stench is overpowering, but this market was clean and odor free.
We managed to sneak in another nap this afternoon. I think we are still suffering from jet lag, but that is to be expected. Tonight we just fixed cheese sandwiches at the hostel and then ventured out for a pint (or two). It was such a nice day. This kind of day is what visiting Europe is all about. Walking, eating, relaxing, visiting a church or two, and enjoying the company of my husband makes for a perfect little getaway.
No comments:
Post a Comment