finnnnland
weds / thurs oct 14
I worked / taught for half of the day on Wednesday. As I was telling my CE Psych kids what they needed to do, I asked them if they needed anything else before I left them with the sub. One of the kids (who I've known for a few years now) said "No Ms. Allen. We don't need you. Just go" I can't adequately communicate the tone that he had, but it was slightly sassy and slightly indignant. Which reminded me of ... well, it reminded me of me. 😂 Maybe it's unhealthy? That's a conversation better saved for somewhere that's NOT the internet.
Case in point, this trip I decided to try a car sharing service near the airport. Something about being completely independent on this trip, all the way down to the drive to the airport made me extremely satisfied with myself. Though the thought of letting a stranger drive my car didn't sit too well. Haaaaaa.
I had to check in at the desk to prove I'm vaccinated, and when I was about to board the plane at the SLC gate, the gate agent asked if I had family in Finland, then said "you can't visit Finland until Oct 24 unless you have family"
#heartattack
After pulling me aside and reading the guidelines, they found that vaccinated travelers are exempt. 😅
The flight from Detroit to Paris I had a whole row to myself. I had a lot of fun 😁. For anyone who is scared to be / travel alone ... Let me tell you. The more you do it, the more empowered you feel. You learn a lot about yourself and how to solve problems, how to deal with stress. Plus you broaden your horizons (culturally and literally 😁).
A few days ago I was giving my brother a few tips about visiting Paris. When I landed in Paris I kind of wished I was getting off. I get excited when I hear people speak French. 🥖🥐📯🇫🇷 I met a couple of women from San Francisco who were naming body parts they remembered from their high school french class. They were heading to visit one of their daughters in Florence. We had a good chat while we waited on the border popo. (That's slang for 'police' kids 😂) #justaskmysister
All these places (Florence, Paris) are tourist spots. Helsinki isn't necessarily a tourist spot. Good idea to come here? I guess we'll see how it goes!
Case in point, this trip I decided to try a car sharing service near the airport. Something about being completely independent on this trip, all the way down to the drive to the airport made me extremely satisfied with myself. Though the thought of letting a stranger drive my car didn't sit too well. Haaaaaa.
I had to check in at the desk to prove I'm vaccinated, and when I was about to board the plane at the SLC gate, the gate agent asked if I had family in Finland, then said "you can't visit Finland until Oct 24 unless you have family"
#heartattack
After pulling me aside and reading the guidelines, they found that vaccinated travelers are exempt. 😅
The flight from Detroit to Paris I had a whole row to myself. I had a lot of fun 😁. For anyone who is scared to be / travel alone ... Let me tell you. The more you do it, the more empowered you feel. You learn a lot about yourself and how to solve problems, how to deal with stress. Plus you broaden your horizons (culturally and literally 😁).
A few days ago I was giving my brother a few tips about visiting Paris. When I landed in Paris I kind of wished I was getting off. I get excited when I hear people speak French. 🥖🥐📯🇫🇷 I met a couple of women from San Francisco who were naming body parts they remembered from their high school french class. They were heading to visit one of their daughters in Florence. We had a good chat while we waited on the border popo. (That's slang for 'police' kids 😂) #justaskmysister
All these places (Florence, Paris) are tourist spots. Helsinki isn't necessarily a tourist spot. Good idea to come here? I guess we'll see how it goes!
..... (then I got off the plane)
O my gosh. I don't know if it's the fact that I watched a chick flick on the plane or that I'm jet lagged and low on sleep... But Finland is ENCHANTING. 🇫🇮🏰🪄Like straight out of a little wooded fairytale. Flying in we flew over endless forests peppered with yellow trees and lakes surrounded by small farms.... Wow.
O my gosh. I don't know if it's the fact that I watched a chick flick on the plane or that I'm jet lagged and low on sleep... But Finland is ENCHANTING. 🇫🇮🏰🪄Like straight out of a little wooded fairytale. Flying in we flew over endless forests peppered with yellow trees and lakes surrounded by small farms.... Wow.
I had a meal at a Michelin Star restaurant that serves traditional Finnish food.
Appetizers=
1. potato puree w/ smoked salmon
2. House Made bread with caraway butter
3. Beetroot with sunflower seeds and pickled vegetables on the side (maybe fennel? Something tasted like black licorice)
Appetizers=
1. potato puree w/ smoked salmon
2. House Made bread with caraway butter
3. Beetroot with sunflower seeds and pickled vegetables on the side (maybe fennel? Something tasted like black licorice)
Main dish =
Duck breast and duck leg roasted with gooseberry sauce, served with gooseberry chutney wrapped in a celery root roll. With a side of pureed pumpkin.
Duck breast and duck leg roasted with gooseberry sauce, served with gooseberry chutney wrapped in a celery root roll. With a side of pureed pumpkin.
Dessert=
Finnish apple parfait (cold like ice cream) with Black currant and caramel brittle
Finnish apple parfait (cold like ice cream) with Black currant and caramel brittle
friday, Oct 15
I had the thought today, that THIS is Helsinki at it's prime. It's probably gorgeous in the winter too, but much darker. It's like the landscape calls for mellow music. Tony Bennett, Ingrid Michaelson. Or maybe it's the rainy weather?
Or maybe they 'fill up my senses' like John Denver suggested, a walk in the rain 🌧️.
A friend once told me, back in elementary school actually, that he finds rainy days make him happy. I remember thinking that was counter intuitive but being inspired by the optimism. For some reason that's always stuck with me and rainy days make me happy too.
I get so sentimental on these nature-filled solo trips 😅. #truthisImalwaysprettysentimental
Or maybe they 'fill up my senses' like John Denver suggested, a walk in the rain 🌧️.
A friend once told me, back in elementary school actually, that he finds rainy days make him happy. I remember thinking that was counter intuitive but being inspired by the optimism. For some reason that's always stuck with me and rainy days make me happy too.
I get so sentimental on these nature-filled solo trips 😅. #truthisImalwaysprettysentimental
I drove to the beach this morning. I spent a few hours wandering around Helsinki. Bought a pretty tasty croissant. 🥐
Then I drove to Turku. It's a few hours away and there was an accident on the highway.
Also, I saw this duck pig in front of a grocery store in Turku 😂 #what? I didn't stop to take a picture, so I stole this one from somewhere else on the internet...
I'm officially staying in Parainen, but Turku is the bigger city next to it.
I decided to grocery shop for dinner, then go to my AirBnB. Cutest AirBnB everrrr. I've just been chilling here all night and it's been fantastic. Dinner turned out pretty good too. 😁
I decided to grocery shop for dinner, then go to my AirBnB. Cutest AirBnB everrrr. I've just been chilling here all night and it's been fantastic. Dinner turned out pretty good too. 😁
and here is a selection of pictures / videos of things I found amusing at the grocery store #enjoy
saturday, Oct 16
I woke up around 3am Finland time and couldn't fall back asleep. I went outside to see if I could see the northern lights.... No such luck. That's alright, maybe I'll plan a trip to Lapland in the middle of the winter.
Blasnas Beach, Nuukiso National Park, pictures by a bridge, Market Square, Uspenski cathedral, a hamburger, an art museum (just the outside)
Lock bridges really are ALL over Europe...
I bought a RIDICULOUSLY soft ear warmer headband...
Not sure if it was just this restaurant or a Finnish thing... When I ordered a cheeseburger they gave me a hamburger and cheese sauce to dip it in. 😅 #what?
I didn't take a picture of it, #1 because i was STARVING and I didn't have time #2 because you and I have seen a hamburger before and #3 (said defensively) I don't take pictures over EVERYTHING 🙄
I didn't take a picture of it, #1 because i was STARVING and I didn't have time #2 because you and I have seen a hamburger before and #3 (said defensively) I don't take pictures over EVERYTHING 🙄
I am currently at my last AirBnB. Suvi said she's lived here for 17 years and has rented out rooms / couches for the last 6 of them. She's a recycling guru and loves to meet people from around the world. She showed me around. She has a summer cottage in the back with a pool and a wood-heated hot tub.
Then she fired up the sauna because I told her I wanted to try it. It was pretty cool. And by cool, I mean HOT. 🔥#inmorethanoneway 😂
Then she fired up the sauna because I told her I wanted to try it. It was pretty cool. And by cool, I mean HOT. 🔥#inmorethanoneway 😂
This trip has been pretty short. Which is sad, but also, I don't know if I would've visited Finland any other way. If I had longer, like I said, I'd definitely do Lapland. Maybe cross the border to Russia? Take a quick ferry to Estonia?
Though I've really gotta expand my traveling repertoire before I return to Europe for a fifth time. 😅 There's just so much to see here! And I feel confident doing Europe alone.
My first impression was right. It is a magical forest land. Everywhere I drove... Forests. It was like Anne of Green Gables and New England in the fall.
I think people visit here mostly to hike in the forest. Maybe northern lights in the winter? It's a beautiful country. One that I'd like to see more of someday. Well, until my next adventure! 🖖
Though I've really gotta expand my traveling repertoire before I return to Europe for a fifth time. 😅 There's just so much to see here! And I feel confident doing Europe alone.
My first impression was right. It is a magical forest land. Everywhere I drove... Forests. It was like Anne of Green Gables and New England in the fall.
I think people visit here mostly to hike in the forest. Maybe northern lights in the winter? It's a beautiful country. One that I'd like to see more of someday. Well, until my next adventure! 🖖