Skating in the streets of Helsinki
Trip Start
Dec 23, 2012
1
13
56
Trip End
Jan 23, 2013
Where I stayed
Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Well today was a major challenge in the area of keeping my centre of gravity. No more snow in Helsinki but heaps of rain....God help me! The slush has disappeared & now it's just straight ice. They've added more gravel to the footpaths but it doesn't always help & the smaller streets often don't have the treatment. Sliding like your skating is the only way to survive. Helsinki isn't completely flat & has areas of slight hills. Shit! These streets look like Everest when you approach them. Going up isn't too bad but coming down is scary as!! Didn't fall once but have slid long distances.
Hence, not a lot of sightseeing done today as walking is extremely slow. Instead resorted to shopping centres that seem to go on forever including underground. Didn't really buy anything but just enjoy walking around pretending to be one of the Finns. Even been brave to speak basic words. Problem with this though they then think I'm Finnish & start long dialogue & I feel stupid only knowing English. When I travel I always avoid looking like a tourist; camera in bag & map in pocket. Don't get targeted as a tourist, extremely important in pick pocket countries like Italy & Spain. But here in Finland the first assumption made is I'm a native. Finnish aren't really the 'blonde' race like Sweden. Dark hair is not unusual. But my cover is blown when I can't answer in Suomi. Not to worry, I keep trying.
Back to the hotel around 4pm for an early dinner & nap before concert 3!
Comments
I can't even imagine that kind of stress just trying to walk down the street :/ So crazy to think that we've been having the dry, hot stuff over here!