7-8-2015: Helsinki High

Ridiculous is all I can say. It sounded like such a good idea to leave early so we would have time to visit our next city in Finland. But now, after a late night and hard hike, 3 AM does not sound so good. But with the new rules of showing up 3 hours before a flight it is what it is. So up at three, out to the airport and before you know it, we are in Finland.

And, Jim is high about seeing his last name all over the Helsinki airport...

Our tour guide meets us and he has a hard crowd to please that would rather just sleep. Planning was so much easier that living!

A great effort he makes and we start with a Church in downtown Helsinki so so different. A location was purchased by some nuns but the neighborhood right away put the kabosh on any plans for a big high church building. But the good citizens offered a solution that went something like this, "You nuns have purchased a pile of rocks, a granite wall to be specific, why not erect a low level church made of the natural stone" The idea was a great one and and the result is a unique "Rock Church" with a rock foundation and walls with an open roof that can be changed with the season. It is a delight and beautiful.

It is green in Finland and from the plane we see Finland has vast forests. The Olympic Games were held here in 1952 (I think) and the stadium still is used for events. We swoop in for a look. The field is very close to the stands so viewing must be very good.

On a hill overlooking the City is a big orthodox church that could be Russian but the Finland folks like Finland Orthodox better and a beautiful church it is. No pews - did you know that Russian and Finnish Orthodox churches do not have pews and the folks must stand for the entire service? Me neither. The City is pretty and interesting but I keep thinking of the winter when daylight is only 4 or 5 hours and it is so cold they have ice breaker boats to keep the harbor open from the freezing temperatures.

Dinner was nice but that night found Tina and Clyde sick as dogs and a flight to Russia to catch in the morning.