Morning Traffic : Helsinki

Wednesday marked a big day for me and would ultimately go down as one of the most unique and exhilarating experiences of my life. I was going to go down town to Helsinki to meet at the YFU headquarters all by my self. I first rode the bus to Anna's work with her ( she works at a produce stand at a grocery story this summer) and then I was on my own to take a train to Helsinki with myself and my map of Helsinki... in Estonian ( did I get that in Estonia? I don't even remember... but from the get go my travels were awkward.) .

In all honesty I received such an excitement and adrenalin rush - I was in Finland traveling for a meeting in downtown Helsinki on my own. I was just in a stupor as my imagination was running wild with my energy and eagerness. I watched the people around me and everyone picked up the free daily newspaper before riding the train ( they are paid for by the advertisements inside) and even though I couldn't read the Finnish, I really enjoyed looking at the pictures and just blending in - as you can see I was really just enjoying myself in my little fantastical daze of being in a big city amongst a lot of people. Once in Helsinki - I will admit - I was lost.

Anna drew me a map... but I didn't know what direction it went... and the Finnish street names didn't match up with the Estonian translations, haha. I was not worried at all. It was perfect. There was honestly nothing better than walking amongst the morning rush and taking it all in. It was me, my map, and my aviators ( a gift from Joni before I left! He said I needed a pair before leaving Europe, and I really liked them!) and it turned into a little adventure.

- The very famous statues in front of the train station, right in the heart of Helsinki. I could have been getting nervous about being lost, but... I was just enjoying the day, the walk, the scenery... taking pictures. I was having fun! -

The people of Helsinki were really nice ( I had to ask 5... well 4 Finns for directions... the fifth was a Japanese person at an office building waving a sign in Japanese probably for her traveling clientele. I know I am a nerd, but I was really having fun and felt like speaking some Japanese! ) Somehow I made it all the way to the senatintori... NOT where I was supposed to be, but by backtracking, in some way managed to get to the YFU office ( I made the biggest circle imaginable - scenic, though, nonetheless!). Everybody was already inside eating breakfast ( I was late... well in Finnish time... 12 minutes... REALLY late!). I am not endorsing getting lost, but it was so worth it. Being out and about communicating, exploring, tracking, and ultimately getting lost was such an experience. So influential and memorable to me that I decided a post was necessary on how cool it is to stroll Helsinki. And the plan for the day was a tour and presentation at the Finnish parliament, so I knew that I would get a chance to do it a few times more!