First time in Helsinki, Finland.

June 27, 2012

Helsinki, Finland.

Again, another place I never expected to find myself.  Helsinki to me had always been a city that was worth trivia points, and not even for tough questions.  You can beat the game simply by answering, “What’s the capitol of Finland?”  This is the vast amount of knowledge I had about this city before stepping off the boat.

Of all the quays, of all the ports, of all the world, Helsinki probably does it best.  The ships pull right up to the market, which is right next to the capitol building, which is right next to the main square, which is right next to the mall.  No tender.  No shuttle.  You don’t even need public transportation.  Yes, Helsinki wins.  I’m a big fan.

Market next to the quay in front of the Russian Orthodox Church.

He moved to Finland and became that guy from Reno 911

Unfortunately named plus size store

It rained a little my first day in Helsinki.

Bottle Man, plays every day, rain or shine.

Alexander Nevsky

The Finish don't trust the Russians.  In fact, they have a standing army who's sole purpose is to be ready for the next time Russia invades.  Russia is Finland's bordering country on the east and there has always been tension.  Actually, there's been more than tension, there has been occupation.  In fact, this year, 2012, Finland is celebrating 100 years of independence.  In 1912, they threw off their last Russian occupation.  And yet, despite all of this, they proudly keep the statue of Alexander Nevsky in the middle of their Senate Square.  (They won't so readily admit it, but Russia did some good to the city.  Architecturally, Helsinki looks like a mini St. Petersburg.)

The Lutheran Church in Senate Square

 

In Finland, the state church is Lutheran.  This means that you can elect to pay your tithe through your taxes.  It’s completely voluntary and don’t worry, you don’t have to be Lutheran.  After all, Finland spent over 100 years under Russian control so the Orthodox Church is also strong.  It’s just a nice change to see a government endorsement of religion that’s NOT Islam.

Unlike many of the churches throughout Europe, this one is simple in it's decorations, and more importantly: it's still in use.