Since I have been volunteering for a couple of years now, I’ve had the pleasure to meet fantastic people along my journey with AIESEC. One of them is my dear friend Irina, who I wanted to visit in Helsinki and learn more about the beautiful country of Finland. A couple of years after Irina came to Germany, where we met thanks to AIESEC, it was my turn to visit her home country.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
In this case, it already started during the boarding at Düsseldorf airport. While I was waiting for the boarding, a kind looking woman was smiling at me, and I was a bit confused at that moment. Have we ever met before, and I couldn’t remember? No, maybe she was one of these enthusiastic individuals who just brighten up your day? After I took my seat in the airplane, the same woman was sitting next to me. She introduced herself as Yuki and had visited friends in Germany. We had a pleasant conversation on how she was strongly connected to Germany since her son studied there, and she just loved the culture and how she made friends who she visits from time to time. She also gave me a glimpse into Japanese culture as she explained the Japanese words for tree and forest to me! She also recommended to me to take some time and visit Tallinn. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the Estonian capital due to a lack of time. But it seems to be a great combination, since the trip only takes 2 hours by ferry. I got literally lost in a delightful conversation and before realizing the airplane was already approaching for a landing.
Finally arriving in Helsinki, Irina and her family prepared a warm welcome, and we chatted all along a fantastic home-made dinner. During my stay I tasted many scrumptious local dishes, so thank you once more for this incredible culinary experience.
But let’s get started with my first day in Helsinki, Finland’s beautiful capital. Mobility first! Helsinki is incredibly easy to explore with public transportation and the tourist ticket a bargain and includes the many ferry connections within the city. Starting at the city center, my friend and I just went with the flow, keeping our eyes open for all kinds of discoveries. Taking in the historic and modern architecture of the city, the beauty of the Senate Square (Senaatinori) and Helsinki Cathedral (Helsingin tuomiokirkko) impressed me the most. This square is a huge open area surrounded by beautiful houses and there I could see the influence of the German architect Carl Ludwig Engel who designed the place. The statue of tsar Alexander II. is overseeing the main plaza. All around the Senate Square, in the side alleys, countless beautiful shops and cafés are waiting to be discovered. Somehow our walk took us to the harbour where we chose to use the ferry to “Suomenlinna”. Before we ferried over, we had some lunch, because the market at the harbour offers a variety of fresh seafood and other local specialities, which were too tempting to resist.
On the ferry under the clear sky, the wind blowing my hair in all directions. The view was spectacular and the nearer we came to the island the better we could see the beautiful skyline of Helsinki. The sea fortress on the island Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is not just a picturesque place to enjoy with friends and family, but also a place to learn more about history. During summer when I visited Helsinki the view on the Baltic Sea is fantastic. I could have stayed the whole day on the huge walls of the fortress, soaking in the sun shine and the cool sea breeze, engulfing myself in the mesmerizing emerald blue of the sea, but there was so much more to discover.
Since Finnish history is rich and heavily influenced by Sweden and Russia, and if you want to learn more about it, there is no better place to start than at the Finnish National Museum where I travelled from prehistoric times to present day Finland. It was also amazing to learn more about the Sámi who live in the Northern parts of the country. For me one museum is not enough and since Finland is also well known for its arts and design, a visit to the famous “Kiasma” was unavoidable. I really loved the digital art and joining an augmented reality installation. Additionally, the museum building is spectacular and provides different perspectives to all kinds of different angles and viewpoints. Sure, after so much stimulating input, it was time to slow down a bit and digest it. Being in Finland, there is no way to come around the Moomins, thus we headed to one of the Moomin Cafés you can find across the city. You do remember the cute little trolls which were invented by Tove Jansson? I loved the animated series as a child. Therefore, I was really excited to revisit these beautiful characters from my childhood while sipping some tea and enjoying some sweets.
When we visited Stockmann mall, one of the most famous ones in Helsinki, I couldn’t resist buying some Moomin merchandise and blueberry liquorice and blueberry flavoured coffee. By the way, the Fins just love blueberry. Everything is blueberry-flavoured, even coffee. That was really delicious, and wherever I travelled afterwards I couldn’t find anything similar. So, try it out, you’ll be surprised about the combined flavour of coffee and blueberry.
I always enjoy architecture, trying to understand what inspires and shapes a city’s characteristics. A famous place I read beforehand, and I wanted to visit is the Kamppi Chapel of Silence. A wondrous and special building where no sound ever meets the visitor’s ears from the outside. The inner room of prayer was spacious and full of light, a truly special atmosphere. Just standing there for a while and enjoying the sound of the silence together with the other visitors was magical. Everybody tried to avoid making any sounds and interrupt this atmosphere. Despite a loud sports festival on the outside, no sounds entered this haven, and it really provided a place to rest and pray. I was stunned and fascinated by this experience that while taking some pictures from the outside not only did metaphorically get lost at the moment but literally. My dear friend Irina was nowhere to be found in the crowd! I was lost! What to do now? I could not call her, so I summoned my best pathfinder skills and puzzled back the way to her home. Finally, reunited, we continued our sightseeing at the Sibelius monument, which is situated in the park of the same name. Jean Sibelius was the composer of “Finlandia”, the national anthem. I strongly recommend listening to this oeuvre and get an idea of Sibelius’ work while enjoying the park, which provided lush green and the shades of the greens on this sunny day.
Because we lost some time due to my obsession to take the perfect picture, we went straight and without any distractions to Temppeliaukio Church, which is excavated into solid rock. Ok, it’s a hot spot for tourists, but it’s very special, and I’ve never seen a place like this before. And I would have never expected a church from the outside. The air was chilly, but the atmosphere so peaceful and clear. I found a spot to rest inwardly, and somehow it touched my heart. I had the impression to get a bit overwhelmed with this inner peace and rested for a moment. Ok, enough rest, I was in Helsinki to explore the city! So we went up in the air and took a bird’s eye view onto the city at the Atelje bar. Here, we could enjoy the terrific view while planning our next moves.
After walking so much we were getting the munchies and since we were already standing in front of it, we entered Café Fazer. It’s a huge food company which started as French-Russian confectionary. Sure, Belgian and Swiss chocolate is the most famous in the world, but the creamy consistence of Fazer chocolate is worth a try. And I truly enjoyed the liquorice ice cream, which isn’t that sweet but an intriguing flavour to experience. In the closing lights of the day we took a small tour by ferry, that I could learn a bit more about the different islands and districts in Helsinki and enjoy once more the blue of the Baltic Sea before flying home the next day in the afternoon.
Summarizing, Helsinki is a fantastic city and very easy to explore thanks to a cheap but efficient public transportation system. With its many connections one is never stranded even once one gets lost 😉. And thanks to my local guide I could really immerse in the city instead of scratching on the surface. Thus, whenever you have the chance to visit your friends across the globe, always say yes and never say no! You will never know what your next adventure will bring?
Kiitos and hei hei!
Conscious Travelista 