Our first stop on the cruise was the Finnish capital of Helsinki. Just slightly larger than Tulsa, it was easy to become familiar with the core of this capital city. Our first introduction was via the obligatory bus tour where we drove by churches (Russian Orthodox and Lutheran) memorials to famous composers (Sibelius memorial with it 600 steel tubes) and a church carved into the rocks. All quite lovely. At the end we were treated to a local snack of reindeer and egg salad.
The indoor food hall was my kind of place - stall after stall of meat counters, bakers, cheese shops and little restaurants. Locals were buying foodstuffs for their dinner and socializing with friends. After a brief look around we headed to The Ciry Hall with the promise of free WiFi (David had been looking longingly at his once usefull device) and free restrooms. After a brief connection to the homeland, we wondered down to the bathrooms. What a surprise. Besides the very Danish clean design there were video monitors running a continuous film loop. Mine was of a baby trying to pry open the mouth of a boy while giggling. The mens, however, was much more exciting. A man wearing a white tutu was peeing designs in the snow. I kid you not.
We hiked up the hill to take a look inside the orthodox church we glimpsed earlier for a peek inside. However, a wedding was just getting underway which limited our access to the interior. The nervous groom paced outside while holding a red bouquet. Rain started to fall so we cut short our walking tour in favor of a quick walk around the outdoor market selling food and decorative items. David headed back to the ship, but I had to try something from an outdoor food vendor. I opted for a veggie filled paella with grilled salmon on top and garlic mayo on the side. When asked if I wanted jalepeno's I was almost giddy. Alas, the Finns must think any pepper is a jalepeno because the ones I were given we're mild imitators of the real deal.
With the rain falling harder I bid adieu to this Baltic capital on the sea.
The indoor food hall was my kind of place - stall after stall of meat counters, bakers, cheese shops and little restaurants. Locals were buying foodstuffs for their dinner and socializing with friends. After a brief look around we headed to The Ciry Hall with the promise of free WiFi (David had been looking longingly at his once usefull device) and free restrooms. After a brief connection to the homeland, we wondered down to the bathrooms. What a surprise. Besides the very Danish clean design there were video monitors running a continuous film loop. Mine was of a baby trying to pry open the mouth of a boy while giggling. The mens, however, was much more exciting. A man wearing a white tutu was peeing designs in the snow. I kid you not.
We hiked up the hill to take a look inside the orthodox church we glimpsed earlier for a peek inside. However, a wedding was just getting underway which limited our access to the interior. The nervous groom paced outside while holding a red bouquet. Rain started to fall so we cut short our walking tour in favor of a quick walk around the outdoor market selling food and decorative items. David headed back to the ship, but I had to try something from an outdoor food vendor. I opted for a veggie filled paella with grilled salmon on top and garlic mayo on the side. When asked if I wanted jalepeno's I was almost giddy. Alas, the Finns must think any pepper is a jalepeno because the ones I were given we're mild imitators of the real deal.
With the rain falling harder I bid adieu to this Baltic capital on the sea.
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