Just a quick update on the ice swimming. I noticed last week that there were fewer and fewer swimmers to be seen, and then finally none. I waited to see if they were done for the season and found that they weren't returning.
And now some of the boats have returned to the docks that the swimmers were swimming off of. Clearly they would not want to swim if there is a boat moored right at the site of the ladder. But I was not totally convinced until they took the ladder away two days ago.
So now I am going to have to find something else to watch out my window. For now it is the coffee house that is directly accross the street (it is also the marina club house). The coffee house has been closed for the season and I am now watching intently for the tell tale tables and chairs to be put outside so that I will know that it is open again. How great is it to have a coffee house with a picturesque view just accross the street ? Once again I say "Life is Good".
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Ice Swimming?
OK, so here's the question: how much longer will people here be ice swimming? Or as I like to call it now "fridgid water swimming" since there is no more ice. Now it just seems silly. When there was ice, it looked insane and therefore impressive. Now it just looks like a bunch of people who don't know better than to stay out of the cold water.
I know, I know, it is good for your health; so I am told. Still, I'm not sure I would swim in this particular water even if it were warm. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with it, but it is at a boat launch/marina and it looks rather murky and not at all the color that I am used to for swimming. And for those that are wondering: I went swimming in the Baltic at a site that was not designed for boats.
So I will keep a watchful eye and let you know when the swimming ends...I'm guessing May 1st? Which is May day, by the way, and a big deal here. I will learn all I can and let you know what I find out and experience. Until later...
I know, I know, it is good for your health; so I am told. Still, I'm not sure I would swim in this particular water even if it were warm. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with it, but it is at a boat launch/marina and it looks rather murky and not at all the color that I am used to for swimming. And for those that are wondering: I went swimming in the Baltic at a site that was not designed for boats.
So I will keep a watchful eye and let you know when the swimming ends...I'm guessing May 1st? Which is May day, by the way, and a big deal here. I will learn all I can and let you know what I find out and experience. Until later...
People Watching and Other Thoughts
So the other week I was waiting for my friend to go to a club meeting and decided to have a cup of coffee while I waited. The weather has been getting nicer, the snow has melted, and although it does still snow, it doesn't realy stick. I mention this because some of the cafes, resturants and coffee houses have set up their tables outdoors again for the season. I chose to get coffee at a local chain store that had tables outdoors right next to where I was meeting my friend. It was 40 degrees out or so and beautiful, so I waited at one of their tables.
While I was waiting, many things occured to me as I looked around. First, the architecture in Helsinki is amazing. I don't know when the buildings were constructd, but they have beautiful carvings nd statues built into them. And here am I in the middle of a European capital city, where I live, sitting at a cafe table, sipping my coffee while I wait for a good friend to participte in a club activity with women from all over the world. When did I become so wordly and cosmopolitan?
Anyway, people were going past on their bikes, walking, and on the trams. So I people watched while I waited and a few things occured to me. First, there are some seriously good looking male Finns here in Helsinki...I'm just saying. The woman are also quite attractive, but being a woman myself, I took more interest in the men. Next, it seems that there are no obese people here, and very few seriously overweight ones. Sure, there are people (like myself) who could stand to lose a few pounds, but nothing like in the States. I suspect that this is due not only to the amazingly healthy, fresh food here, but also to the Finns incessant need to be outdoors doing pysical activity. In the winter it is skiing, walking, biking, swimming, etc... and in the summer, many of the same activities minus the skiing. They love the outdoors, especially during the summer months which are beautiful. I am told that we get July off here and the Finns all go to their summer cabins.
Yes, you read right..they take July off of work and only the essentials are open. I imagine that the resturants and retail stores stay open, but I'm not even sure of that. I do love this place and these people...they have definately got the work/life balance thing right!
While I was waiting, many things occured to me as I looked around. First, the architecture in Helsinki is amazing. I don't know when the buildings were constructd, but they have beautiful carvings nd statues built into them. And here am I in the middle of a European capital city, where I live, sitting at a cafe table, sipping my coffee while I wait for a good friend to participte in a club activity with women from all over the world. When did I become so wordly and cosmopolitan?
Anyway, people were going past on their bikes, walking, and on the trams. So I people watched while I waited and a few things occured to me. First, there are some seriously good looking male Finns here in Helsinki...I'm just saying. The woman are also quite attractive, but being a woman myself, I took more interest in the men. Next, it seems that there are no obese people here, and very few seriously overweight ones. Sure, there are people (like myself) who could stand to lose a few pounds, but nothing like in the States. I suspect that this is due not only to the amazingly healthy, fresh food here, but also to the Finns incessant need to be outdoors doing pysical activity. In the winter it is skiing, walking, biking, swimming, etc... and in the summer, many of the same activities minus the skiing. They love the outdoors, especially during the summer months which are beautiful. I am told that we get July off here and the Finns all go to their summer cabins.
Yes, you read right..they take July off of work and only the essentials are open. I imagine that the resturants and retail stores stay open, but I'm not even sure of that. I do love this place and these people...they have definately got the work/life balance thing right!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
What About Easter?
Many of my friends back home have asked me repeatedly to post things about the traditions of Finland on the holidays. Easter is upon us now, and I wanted to share what little I do know about this holiday with my readers.
For the most part, the traditions here in Finland seem to be the same as in the States. It is a religious holiday afterall, and so most (if not all) of the religious observances apply. I don't rightly know if there are differences in the religious traditions as we have not yet found/selected a church. Beyond that I have discovered a few points of interest surrounding the holiday.
Today, for example, is Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter Sunday). In the States I would expect to be handed a palm frond or cross made out of palm fronds at church. This may be the case here as well (see above disclaimer). What I am hoping for here is a knock on my door tonight. Apparently, children aged 6mos to 13yrs or so will go door to door and wave a colorful stick at you while reciting a little poem. The stick is generally something they have made with colorful feathers and do dads, although I think I found some in a store already made up. Anyway, after this "ritual" is performed the recipient of this blessing is expected to give each child candy and/or money. It is kind of like Halloween except the children perform for what they receive, and you as the home owner are left with good luck in your home. I don't know if there ar any children in our building, but I am prepared, and just a little bit excited.
Now for something that my husband and I are both happy about: the Finns celebrate Easter by having a four day weekend...both Friday and Monday off. The only downside: the stores are all closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday, meaning I have to actually be organized with my grocery shopping and not have the luxury of running to the store for those oft forgotten items. Ah well, a small price to pay.
Finally, there are a number of Finnish food traditions, and while I know I have been told about more than just this one, it seems to be the only one that stuck in my brain (which is teflon, remember?) So here it is: I give you the Mignon Egg. It is an actual egg that has been blown out and filled with chocholate, then the hole resealed with a white sugar mixture. You place the egg in the rerigerator for 15 to 30 minutes, and then peel the shell off and eat the chocolate. What a fun concept...and yummy desert (I have done a dry run to be certain it is worthwhile, and I assure you it is).
So this is what I know of Easter here in Finland. I am sorry that it is not more, but I feel it is worth sharing. I'm not sure exactly what we will be doing for the weekend, but I am sure it will be a wonderful time. Have a wonderful holiday everybody!
For the most part, the traditions here in Finland seem to be the same as in the States. It is a religious holiday afterall, and so most (if not all) of the religious observances apply. I don't rightly know if there are differences in the religious traditions as we have not yet found/selected a church. Beyond that I have discovered a few points of interest surrounding the holiday.
Today, for example, is Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter Sunday). In the States I would expect to be handed a palm frond or cross made out of palm fronds at church. This may be the case here as well (see above disclaimer). What I am hoping for here is a knock on my door tonight. Apparently, children aged 6mos to 13yrs or so will go door to door and wave a colorful stick at you while reciting a little poem. The stick is generally something they have made with colorful feathers and do dads, although I think I found some in a store already made up. Anyway, after this "ritual" is performed the recipient of this blessing is expected to give each child candy and/or money. It is kind of like Halloween except the children perform for what they receive, and you as the home owner are left with good luck in your home. I don't know if there ar any children in our building, but I am prepared, and just a little bit excited.
Now for something that my husband and I are both happy about: the Finns celebrate Easter by having a four day weekend...both Friday and Monday off. The only downside: the stores are all closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday, meaning I have to actually be organized with my grocery shopping and not have the luxury of running to the store for those oft forgotten items. Ah well, a small price to pay.
Finally, there are a number of Finnish food traditions, and while I know I have been told about more than just this one, it seems to be the only one that stuck in my brain (which is teflon, remember?) So here it is: I give you the Mignon Egg. It is an actual egg that has been blown out and filled with chocholate, then the hole resealed with a white sugar mixture. You place the egg in the rerigerator for 15 to 30 minutes, and then peel the shell off and eat the chocolate. What a fun concept...and yummy desert (I have done a dry run to be certain it is worthwhile, and I assure you it is).
So this is what I know of Easter here in Finland. I am sorry that it is not more, but I feel it is worth sharing. I'm not sure exactly what we will be doing for the weekend, but I am sure it will be a wonderful time. Have a wonderful holiday everybody!
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