Helsinki

Here we are overlooking Helsinki. In the background is The White Cathedral (Lutheran). It is GORGEOUS!

This is part of the island fortress of Suomilinna. The whole island has been fortified. Fortifications date back to the 1700's.

Dugouts inside the walls of Suomilinna.

Looking down on the square outside the White Cathedral. Right in front of the fountain is a street busker singing opera.

I am told that we are in The Land of the Silent Finn. After experiencing the extremely reserved nature of the Estonians, I think that the Finns are positively EXUBERANT! I do realize that much of this may have to do with the fact that here we have an 'in' that we didn't have in Estonia: A long time friend from Ecuador has taken us under her wing and showed us the true, local side of Helsinki. We feel so blessed to be able to experience this with her!

We have done the touristy things too: Seen the big churches, gone through the Museums, eaten Reindeer at a Lapp place. Today we went through a flee market, found some Finnish music, and went to dinner with some of our host's friends at a Nepalese place.


Tomorrow we are going to enjoy a true Finnish experience: We are going us to Laura's summer cottage. It is on a lake, we get water from a well, and there is a sauna. I can't wait! We will spend two nights at the cottage and then head on to our next destination.