Advertisement
Published: June 24th 2008
Edit Blog Post
After two days in a row of 6.00 wake up calls, the one this morning at 7.00 was a blessed relief. I actually had time for a cup of coffee and a muffin before heading down to meet Mom and Lynn for today's adventure. Still a bit shell shocked from all the glitz and glamour of St. Petersburg, we approached today with a bit of caution. But, God was smiling on us. The weather had changed for the better. Not only had it warmed up considerably, but the sun was shining brightly and continued to do so all day. Not only that, but by sheer chance the three of us had chosen a tour that would take us not into the city, but out into the countryside. A much needed change of pace.
We piled into our coach and made our way through some of the most beautiful scenery I have seen in quite some time. While we were driving along, our guide entertained us with facts and figures about Finland and about the life that they lead. My favourite? Speeding fines are based on income. This was all fine and good until the government realised that everyone caught speeding
Sipoo Old Church
The ship hanging from the ceiling. was unemployed. They now require some more information before processing the fine.
We stopped at a wonderful church in a town called Sipoo. This may be the most simple church I have ever seen. It sits all by itself in a field surrounded by wild flowers and trees. Many of the war dead are buried here with graves that have very simple, poignant markers. Originally built in 1450 (or thereabouts), it has been restored over the years but left more or less the same. In it, there was a ship hanging from the ceiling. These are placed by sailors who are either asking for a safe voyage or giving thanks for one. I thought it was appropriate for us. There were also stocks -- the kind you sit in if you've been naughty. Nothing like shaming someone at church!
Eventually, we entered the town of Hinthaara where we boarded a steam train. Now, I know that I am a nerd of the highest order, but I just love trains. The older, the better. This one was awesome! She was called Lili and has been making this same run for over a century. We sat in this old carriage
being carried along at a very reasonable pace, just watching the beautiful scenery go by. The one thing that struck me was that all of the houses have ladders up to the roof. When we asked what these were for, we were told that they are so the owners can climb up and sweep the snow off the roof. It snows so much that the weight can get too much for the roof to bear. Can you imagine?
After a while, we arrived in the town of Porvoo. We went out to a place called Haikkoo for lunch. It was originally built as a retreat for the Romanovs, but as they no longer require it, it has been turned into a hotel and spa. Stunning gardens, a huge terrace off the back and a very good lunch. I think the three of us would have been very happy spending the rest of the afternoon there!
Instead, we made our way into the town of Porvoo. It is a small artists colony that is well known because it was here, in 1809, that Alexander I came to declare that Finland was part of Russia. Lovely shops that proved too
much for me. I succumbed to temptation and bought a coffee mug with sailboats on it (that I am drinking from as I write this), a pendant to add to the chain around my neck and the best purchase so far of 2008. I found a pair of mittens made from reindeer skin that are the most beautiful and most soft things I have ever had on my hands. I can't wait for the first cold day next winter.
It was only now that we headed into Helsinki proper. We stopped at the Temppeliaukio Church for a look around. In 1969, the town fathers decided that they wanted to build a new church. The only spot they had, however, was a huge granite rock right in the middle of town. They put the design of the church out to bid and the winning bid carved the church into the rock itself. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was overwhelmed. The church is this beautiful, open space. I gave thanks for being able to see it.
There was one incident at the church that made me cringe. I go out of my way when I am travelling
to dispel the "ugly American" myth. I learn how to say 'please' and 'thank you' in every language I come into contact with and I do my best to not assume that everyone I meet will speak English. I try to blend in as much as possible and smile as much as I can. I was waiting in the queue at the church to use the bathroom when I heard a very American voice giving the woman at the gift stand a hard time. She was complaining because the woman had only given her change in coins and she wanted paper. The young woman tried to explain to her that euros start with a fiver. Everything else is coin. The American was having none of it. I finally leaned across and told her that, in fact, the young woman knew what she was talking about. The woman huffed off muttering about silly currencies. I wonder, sometimes, why these people ever leave what they know. Someday I'll tell you about the Americans Matt and I encountered at a Rome cafe. Makes me want to burn my passport.
For our final stop of the day, we went to the Cathedral Square.
Lili
Mom and Lynn inside our carriage. Again, the third beautiful church of the day. After the excesses of the past two days, the simplicity of this one was just what we needed. We had a wander around and then just stood in the sunshine for a while until it was time to head back to the ship.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.353s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 11; qc: 49; dbt: 0.1168s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb