Hyvaa Paivaa!

Well, we docked in Helsinki this morning at 10 A.M. I'm both excited but dreading it at the same time. I'm supposed to be on vacation. We'd gotten up early for breakfast. After I finished, I left the ship and was on my way.

I walked out of the pier area, following the crowd. That was not the thing to do. I followed a group so far, they ended up asking a traffic person for directions. Upon readinf my Yahoo map, the distance I was to travel had been well overextended. The map read 12 minutes to St. John's Church and I know I'd been walking at least 20. I walked along the Sirpalesami, then along Merisatama Havshamnen. There was a nice looking gentleman pushing a baby carriage. I said, "good morning." He nodded and said, "good morning." I walked on along the Uunisaarensalmi. I reached a park bench near Kaivopuisto Brunnsparken (the park) to sit down and take a look at my map, because I knew I'd been walking too long. It was kind of a surprise when the gentleman I'd passed a bit back, with the baby carriage, appeared from nowhere. He sat down next to me and asked if I needed any help. I'm insane, so I said, "yes." I opened the map and I also opened the Yahoo map to explain where I wanted to go. He was really nice and helpful. All the while he was rocking the baby in the carriage with his right hand and going over the map with me, with his left hand. He stated that he always helps lost Americans.

After his instruction, I headed up and through the park and around a sort of winding road. Got a few stares, but I always get those, nothing more. No one bothered me. I made my way to Johannek-Senpuisto Kirrko (St. John's Church). I t was well worth the walk. After a few photos here, I walked down to teh Etelasatani Sodra Hamnen (waterway) that's when I realized I was supposed to be on a side street. I met up with a metermaid, who pointed me uphill. Lord knows I wasn't in the mood for anything UPHILL, but I went ahead. I arrived at the German Protestant Church. This German Protestant church, Saksalainen Kirkko in Kaartinkaupunki is certainly one of the loveliest in Helsinki. It was consecrated in 1864. The Germans who lived in Helsinki in the nineteenth century had their own parish circle with regular German services; in 1858 they were given the right to form their own congregation and this church was the result. The church is very attractive and has a romantic atmosphere. No wonder, then, that this is one of the most popular wedding churches in the Helsinki region. It was a beauty. I love these old churches. Snapped a few photos, as it was closed. Headed back downhill, trekking through a construction area. Made my way down to the waterfront. Standing where I was, I could see the most beautiful church I've ever seen. Suurkirkko.

The Lutheran Cathedral (also Suurkirkko or St. Nicholas Church) is Helsinki's most important landmark. The majestic outline of its 71 meter central tower illustrates the true glory of the White City of the North. The cathedral was designed by C. L. Engel in 1830; when Engel died in 1840, E. B. Lohrmann took over the supervision and added several touches to the original blueprints, including details in the simple yet beautiful interior. The cathedral was finally completed in 1852, though the famous grand steps would not be there for another 20 years. Despite the western, classical style, the influences of Russia and especially that of Czar Nicholas I are also visible. The cathedral's famous statues of the Apostles were originally Nicholas's idea. The Czar also donated the altarpiece, the work of Russian artist von Neff. The cathedral has a high—ceilinged crypt, a venue for exhibitions and concerts, and a cafe open every summer. The cathedral, decorated with statues of Mikael Agricola and the religious reformers Luther and Melanchthon, hosts both ordinary and more official (Government and University) services, as well as various concerts.

I was so excited, I bypassed the Market Hall, where it was suggested that I could purchase some handmade Finnish soaps. I just walked along roads towards the church. When I reached the square, there it was in all it's glory. It was just beautiful. The internet photos just didn't do it justice. I wandered around Senate Square after taking 100s of photos. Senate Square is regarded as one of Europe's finest neoclassical squares. It houses the Senate building, the University building and the Lutheran Cathedral. A popular meeting point, the square is particularly lively in August during the Helsinki festival and on December 6th when there is a torchlight procession across the square.

I took photos of the Senate Building and the Univversity Library and Church. The gorgeous University Library, right next to the main building of the University and the Cathedral , is one of Engel's most beautiful creations, completed in 1844. Large windows soften its yellow—and—white exterior, while trees surround the back of the building, making this one of Helsinki's most endearing sights. The outer wall of the library sports a bronze bust of Czar Alexander I and a plaque commemorating the designers of the old city center, J. A. Ehrenström and C. L. Engel. The interior of the library building is also spectacular. The old interiors are in good shape, and the current refurbishment process is expected to bring even more of the old lustre back. The main hall with its old—fashioned furnishings and marvelous ceiling frescoes is one of the most admired interiors in Finland. The soft, beautiful exterior and serene mood of the petite building, overshadowed by taller, more majestic structures, have a calming effect on the whole neighborhood.

Sederholm house, a branch of the Helsinki City Museum is a simply adorable little blue house that stands on the southeast corner of Senate Square, and can easily be recognized by its color. Dating from 1757, it is the oldest building in the city center, and the oldest stone building in the whole of Helsinki. Sederholm House was designed by S. Berner and commissioned by merchant Johan Sederholm. It stayed in his family until the year of 1822. The museum examines Johan Sederholm's life and through him the life in Helsinki in the 18th century.

The Saunashop was right on the corner. They had so many varieties of soaps to choose from. After spending some time in there, I stepped next door, into what seemed to be some type of mall. The store facing the square had some cute little items there. As I was shopping, Sarah and Nancy walked passed the store. We spoke just a few seconds, as they were on a tour. After I purchased a few goodies here, I headed back into the mall. There were stands set up, selling different things, with different vendors. I stopped a a vendor that sold handmade jewelry. These were some both unusual and beautiful pieces. AND EXPENSIVE! I've never seen woolen jewlery. After my purchase, I headed further back. Stopped at a little shop to pick up Donna's souvenirs and what looked like a triangle-shaped Squirrel (nutty candies I'd eaten as a child), on a stick and wrapped in waxed paper. I was starving and told the girl not to bother with wrapping it. I was going to eat it now. I also peeked in a coat shoppe. There were the cutest wool coats and there were these woolen hats that had just the face portion open and had something like a Dickie attached to the bottom that would actually keep your neck warm and protected. These things were priced well above my budget. I left there and headed down Aleksanterinkatu to Stockmann's Department Store. Aleksanterinkatu, also known by locals as "Aleksi," is great street for shopping. Aleksanterinkatu starts near the Presidential Palace and crosses by Senate Square . Stroll down Aleksanterinkatu for some great stores, such as Feminett , Stockmann and Kiseleffin Basaari . By the time I reached the end of this street, I was so tired of walking, I wanted to lie down on the sidewalk and ask someone to call me a cab. But, I made my way there, but the store was so crowded, I looked and walked on by. Figured I'd look for the Post Office instead, to nab a bit of "free internet" time. I walked right according to my directions. I walk down a bit but there's not a Post Office in sight. Of course, I turn around and head back the other way. I walk past a bunch of shoppes, even a theatre. I still don't see a Post Office. Then I take a walk on the backside of Stockmann's. Still no Post Office.

I decide to ask a lady (who spoke no English), where the Post Office was. Of course, I had to take the postcards out of my bag to show her what I meant. Wouldn't you know it, she pointed me back down the same way I'd been. By now I am both disgusted and tired. But, I head back that way, even cross the street. So, this is what I should have done in the first place, ask a young person. They usually speak English. Glad I did, because the young lady told me that the Post Office is on the backside of this building we were standing near. Now, I would have never went to the back of a building looking for another building.

Got around the corner and there it was. I headed in and oh my goodness, talking about a well stocked Post Office. This Post Office had enough mailing supplies for customers of 3 or 4 branches of our Post Offices. There's also an illuminated screen that ques customers to open available windows for service. I guess that eliminates the clerk from having to call out, "NEXT." I'm ghetto and am a rude foreigner, so I sponge the line and ask the clerk where I can use the internet. She explained that it was upstairs in the library. "Oh," I said to myself. "The huge building in front, must be the library." TOURISTS, don't they make you ill?

I made my way upstairs via the escalator and into the library. The library even had a snack shoppe. While the librarian was explaining computer usage to me, a woman walked up and handed him her ticket and said, "I won't be able to use this, I have to leave." Her ticket was graciously passed on to me. I addressed my postcards while waiting. I didn't wait too long, but only 30 minutes were allowed on each computer. Here again was a video screen that showed the number of the ticket you were holding to que you to the next available computer. My number was up and I logged on. I didn't have much time to update my blog because my cyberstalker Ron, was stalking. Who cares, it was free and it was the perfect time, as I could talk back and forth with him.

I finished there and hoped the Bus #16 to Hernesaarenlaituri was right outside. But of course it wasn't. I had to walk all the way back up to Mannerheimintie and past Stockmann's for the third or fourth time now. Got there, plopped down and my bus arrived in less than 5 minutes. The bus stopped really close to Hernesaarenlaituri and it was just another 5 minute walk to the souvenir shoppe near the ship.

This shoppe had some gorgeous wool and fur items. And you know the drill! Everything is expensive. They even had the Golla Notebook Bags I'd been searching for, since time began, but they were for 15" notebooks only. And to my surprise, they were all gone. They had tins of Reindeer Pate. Hmmmmm. They even had these very nice woolen mittens, but at $60 a pair, I passed those by. The bin was almost empty, compared to this morning when I peered in there. There was a huge Christmas corner. I picked up a few items and few they were. Turned in my one lonely VAT receipt (forgot to obtain the others from earlier today) to have my expensive sales tax refunded. It's a whopping 25% on everything. I'll be ready for the next stops.

I sat down a while and finished addressing my postcards and dropped them in the mailbox. Headed for the ship.

That evening Ellen was lying in the cabin when I'd gotten back. I was shocked when she'd told me the story of her being pickpocketed. I was truly happy when she told me that none of her money was missing. She and the other ladies had went to "The Rock Church," as part of their tour. Ellen said that as she was leaning over to take a informational leaflet from a stand, inside the church, she felt something under her arm and clamped her arm down quickly. When she looked on the floor, there was her passport and camera case (her camera was in her other hand). Her money had been in a zippered pocket, thank goodness!

I got my shower, washed and set my hair and I was out for the count. I know St. Petersburg is going to be NON-STOP day.

Nakemiin Helsinki!