One of the great advantages of living in Tallinn, is that you can get on a ferry and in 90 minutes be square in the middle of another European capital - Helsinki, Finland.
My first impressions of the city was - wow! Helsinki hits me just right, it has all the things I love about cities - beautiful European architecture, a very lively harbour with a terrific open market and, my favourite - a modern tram / streetcars that roam majestically throughout the city. This is one great looking city and a real pleasure to walk around. The harbour and open market is the first thing you experience when you get off the ferry. With me and my Estonian upbringing - the sizzling of the breaded smelts & herring, and the smell of the smoked fish made this feel very much like home. I just couldn't stop smiling...
Even the small potatoes, frying in these large pans, looked and smelled so familar to me. The people working in these stands looked so much like family to me, they could have been long lost relatives. It was such a warm and comforting moment for me on so many levels. The smells, sights and sounds of the market square, overlooking this beautful harbour is truely a treat. The fish, especially the salmon, looked so fresh and tasted perfect. Some of the fish stands weren't even stands but the back of fishing boats. Very cool!!
Every market has characters and this one is no different. Here's an accordian player who helped create a perfect atmosphere this afternoon. There were also some street buskers who added their contributions to the festivities.
Once you leave the market square, and walk into the core of the city centre, you are greeted by some spectacular architecture. Many of these building and churches have been around for some time and are something to see. They are an older European style, as one would expect but unlike England or France, have a 'newness' feel to them - if that makes any sense. At the top of a zillion steps stands proudly the Tuomiokirkko Lutheran Cathedral which in the heart of Helsinki. I would have liked to have gone in, but we were under some time constraints and not to mention those countless steps!! Although, I would have liked to have done my Rocky impression - running up those stairs with the Rosky theme blaring in the background and me yelling "Adrian!! Adrian!!"
There are a lot of cobblestone streets and pedestrian-only lanes, that really makes walking a pleasure. Again, note the impressive buildings on either side of this street. They are of old style but look very new. Helsinki is a very clean city and the people walking around were dressed quite well (i.e. not tuxedos, but I didn't see too many t-shirts are torn jeans either). There is an elegance and class to Helsinki and you feel it right away. This is not to say it is stuffy or uptight, just pleasent, unassuming and proud.
There was a mist from the harbour that slowly began to blanket the city as the afternoon wore on. It became quite magical and surreal at one point. And no, we were not drunk.
Our last stop before we took the ferry back to Tallinn, was the Temppeliaukio (Rock) Church. This unusual church is carved into solid rock and has a copper dome. We all sat down on of the many benches and enjoyed the "horizontal" underground spirituality. See link for more information on this most unusual church.
http://www.netikka.net/hans.bjorknas/yntemp.htm
My first impressions of the city was - wow! Helsinki hits me just right, it has all the things I love about cities - beautiful European architecture, a very lively harbour with a terrific open market and, my favourite - a modern tram / streetcars that roam majestically throughout the city. This is one great looking city and a real pleasure to walk around. The harbour and open market is the first thing you experience when you get off the ferry. With me and my Estonian upbringing - the sizzling of the breaded smelts & herring, and the smell of the smoked fish made this feel very much like home. I just couldn't stop smiling... 
Every market has characters and this one is no different. Here's an accordian player who helped create a perfect atmosphere this afternoon. There were also some street buskers who added their contributions to the festivities.
Once you leave the market square, and walk into the core of the city centre, you are greeted by some spectacular architecture. Many of these building and churches have been around for some time and are something to see. They are an older European style, as one would expect but unlike England or France, have a 'newness' feel to them - if that makes any sense. At the top of a zillion steps stands proudly the Tuomiokirkko Lutheran Cathedral which in the heart of Helsinki. I would have liked to have gone in, but we were under some time constraints and not to mention those countless steps!! Although, I would have liked to have done my Rocky impression - running up those stairs with the Rosky theme blaring in the background and me yelling "Adrian!! Adrian!!"
There are a lot of cobblestone streets and pedestrian-only lanes, that really makes walking a pleasure. Again, note the impressive buildings on either side of this street. They are of old style but look very new. Helsinki is a very clean city and the people walking around were dressed quite well (i.e. not tuxedos, but I didn't see too many t-shirts are torn jeans either). There is an elegance and class to Helsinki and you feel it right away. This is not to say it is stuffy or uptight, just pleasent, unassuming and proud.
There was a mist from the harbour that slowly began to blanket the city as the afternoon wore on. It became quite magical and surreal at one point. And no, we were not drunk.
Our last stop before we took the ferry back to Tallinn, was the Temppeliaukio (Rock) Church. This unusual church is carved into solid rock and has a copper dome. We all sat down on of the many benches and enjoyed the "horizontal" underground spirituality. See link for more information on this most unusual church. http://www.netikka.net/hans.bjorknas/yntemp.htm
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