A Small(ish) City

So it's pretty common for people here to comment on what a small city Helsinki is. They say things like, "oh I can't go anywhere without running into someone I know" or "there's nothing to do in this town, it's just so small, blah, blah, blah."

Really? Seriously? The population of Helsinki alone is 600,000, with a population or over 1,000,000 in the Greater Helsinki region. I come from a town 12,000. In fact, my home state doesn't even have a million people. That, people, is small.

Now, I had originally called foul on the Finns complaints, but now I'm beginning to see things differently. There have been several occasions in which I've seen people more than once and have even met people with whom I share a mutual friend. Then, I ran into that woman who had read and recognized me from my blog. But then (and this is where things get crazy) I saw someone that I recognized from their blog. Madness!

Here's the story. Claire and I were hanging out in Helsinki eating some ice cream last Wednesday afternoon (yes, this is a late post) when I saw a girl crossing the street who looked vaguely familiar. Then I realized that I had stumbled across her blog while googling "travel helsinki blogs" and things like that. ( Though her blog totally did not impress me. It had some cliche, generic name and too often complained about the stereotypical things an American would complain about in a foreign country. Clearly, her and I could not be friends.) Nevertheless, shocked that it could actually be her, I decided to play the name game. Essentially, yelling out her name and looking away non-chalantly like it wasn't me. Sure enough, she responded!

Yup, I name-gamed some poor girl I had never met in the middle of a foreign city. Moral of the story? Helsinki really is a small city. Either that, or I'm the biggest creep in the world. You decide.

Anyhow, Claire and I enjoyed the rest of our day running around with a Finnish flag and taking pictures in the city. I already posted these pictures on Facebook, but if you, like me, are a creep and don't actually know me in real life, then please, enjoy.

Kiitos!

Okay, so I've been meaning to do this post all week. Particularly because this is one I need to do. Why? Because this, my loving friends and family, is a thank you post. It has recently occurred to me that there are some people out there who never fail to provide me with an endless stream of love, support, and surprises. This week was no exception.

Firstly, I received a package from my oh-so-awesome big sister Brittany. It was my birthday package so while it was expected, its contents were a delightful surprise. What did she send me you ask? An awesome comprehensive guide to Finland (it's amazing how much I want to see and do here!) and Lucas Candy! Can you say JACKPOT!? That may not sound overly thrilling to you, but I am obsessed with Mexican candy. It's one of my most favorite things in the world and I may or may not have eaten it all already.

The next day I received a strange letter in the mail. It was addressed in calligraphy-like writing and I thought, "no one in my family is creative enough to do this." Turns out it was from my Nadia Cakes crew back in California! You guys have no idea how surprised I was. It honestly brought tears to my eyes. I love that we're staying in touch and you actually read my blog- you are all amazing! Enjoy a cupcake on me!

And finally, at the end of my week, Awital surprised me with some treats, including these beautiful roses. 

It was so nice, unexpected, and best of all, affirmed my suspicions that I'm in the right place and with the right people. 

So basically, my life is just amazing. I'm meeting really great, new people, but its nice to remember that I still have everyone in my past to be thankful for. 

Kiitos everyone! 

PS. "Kiitos" is the one Finnish word I know. Glad I'm getting some use out of it. 

Munkkiniemi

So today I took the kids to Munkkiniemi Park, in an area which I've never been to. Sent off with our bus number and departure time, I wondered "will we actually ever make it there?"

Well, friends, I'm pleased to say that I had sorely underestimated myself. Though we missed our original bus-stop, we made do with the next one. And after walking around for 20 minutes and only asking 2 people, I managed to find the park. To be fair, the first person I asked had no idea what I was talking about (a response that greatly alarmed me) and the second person said, "oh you're practically there! Just go straight!" So basically, I found it all on my own.

I believe I've obtained what's called "common sense", a trait many will tell you I haven't possessed before. Luckily, Helsinki has done me well in this department! I can now use public transportation, cross the street, and read the bus timetables. Yay me! It also doesn't hurt that Helsinki is a relatively small city, which makes me a bit more comfortable with everything.

Speaking of small city, I met someone today that has read my blog- someone I don't know! While playing with the kids at the park she asked me, "You watch Awital's kids don't you? I didn't recognize them, but I recognized you from your blog!" Yup. I'm pretty much famous here. Now you can start telling people you knew me way back when I had no common sense. But please, no autographs.

Anyway the park was really cool! It turns out its not so much a park, but rather, get this, a huge Ultimate Frisbee course! Do we even have those in The States? Back in Hamilton we just snuck onto the golf course at night and played there. And by we I mean other people, because I was never actually cool enough to play it. But I'd love to play here! Any Finnish friends up for going sometime? And if you don't have any clue what I'm talking about maybe the term "Disc Golf" will make sense? I'm serious though, lets do it- day or night!

A legitimate frisbee golf basket!

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Art?

I went to an art/photography exhibit today with Claire. The dang thing costs me 8 euros, but it was nice to see the pretty Finnish pictures I suppose.

I think it's plainly obvious that I'm not the greatest "art appreciator",  but the exhibit did inspire me to expand my photographic range which currently consists of nice buildings and food.  I think its time to try and "hon my skill" (if I possess any that is). When Claire gets back from her month long trip to The States (jealous!) I'm thinking we'll have to do a photoshoot or two. Any concept and setting ideas? I have this beautiful city at my fingertips so let's use it!

And then we added our entrance stickers to the collection. At the end of the day it totally wasn't worth my money, but hey, maybe that's just the hangover talking.