Finn in Finland

THE END

2011-01-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

Done. Over. Finished.

2011-01-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

After six months it's all come to an end, the last five days dragging on with little involved in the schedual aside from an ending ceremony and a march from Hakaniemi to Senate Square. The rest of the time was spent sleeping, eating, and returning equipment.

Now that I have completed my service time and passed into the reserves, what can I say...

It was LAME.

Now, it wasn't completely terrible, there were moments, but aggregated, the time could have been much better spent. I understand of course that it is not supposed to be enjoyable, but one might wonder, why not?

I don't have the patience or restraint to write more indepth, so, join the army to find out for yourself!

5 days

2010-12-29T03:28:00.000-08:00

The end has almost come with only FIVE days left, I just need to wait out the Christmas/Newyear holidays before I can start those last days.

Ending on the 7th of January 2011.

It wasn't so bad...

2010-12-29T02:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it's over, the last camp that is. It was not as bad as I was expecting, though not nearly as fun as I might've hoped.

It started with a LONG drive to Niinisalo, the very same place I did my basic training. The travel time was possibly the biggest low-light of the week. Without adequate heating the two stops, and meager packed lunches were not nearly enough to keep me warm, and mixed with the low ceiling and limited leg room, I was not a happy camper by the end of the trip.

Things picked up, or rather plateau'd once we got to the first camp site. We walked around, located our positions, walked around, found back up positions, walked around, looked at the other teams' positions. Then, as soon as it was dark enough we built our tent and went to sleep.

I don't really remember any specifics for the rest of our time there, and can't say I'm overly keen on pushing myself to recall.

After four nights it was almost over. I had dug my last foxhole, built my last tent, packed my last tent. My last march and equipment cleaning, however, was yet to come.

After another long, uncomfortable, and cold (the heating was actually broken (only-7)) drive we were back in Helsinki, and ready(?) to start the last march. With only 12km and the frozen urban-scape between me and indoor plumbing I was pretty eager to get going, but the closer I got the worse I felt, and by the time that we were crossing the barrier between civilian and military land I was aching, and a little feverish.

We waited in the cold. We stood, we listened, we had our bags, vests, and rifles checked for rogue ammunition, and one by one we were released.

I hurriedly ''packed'' my gear and made for the warmth and electric glow. I dumped everything, washed my hands, and lay in my bed...

...IT WAS GOOD!

Reality in blue-tinted greyscale.

2010-12-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

In other news

2010-12-06T03:21:00.000-08:00

Winter has arrived (a few weeks back actually) and the people aren't pleased.

I am though (just not during service time!).

Winter has come, quite early it seems, leaving me with no doubt of a white Christmas. So far Seasonal Affective Disorder has not taken hold of me, except during service time, though that might be because of a few other factors... I have been walking, sledding, and building snow people every chance I get. The excitement of finding it's snowing still hasn't worn off either, and is usually followed by the proclamation, 'it's snowing'.

Note: regressing to childlike state of mind while surounded by snow will keep you so warm you won't realise that it's -20 until you colapse from exaustion. This is not necessarily a suggestion.

An example of the above behavior..

Not long now

2010-12-06T02:47:00.000-08:00

Time is quickly running out, soon the military adventures will end and all I will have are memories.

Not soon enough, however.

Starting in the summer months with clement weather and a more positive attitude it seems as though things have been going down hill recently. Enjoyment, or at least the ability to willfully ignor the less than agreeable circumstances has been ebbing. As time passes and the weather gets colder the end of this six month stint in the Defence Forces cannot hurry along quick enough.

But, before the end can pass, there is still about four weeks and one five day war simulation to traverse.

Judging from my experience in the last three camps It will not be a cake walk. All three camps have taken place in below 0 temperatures with a bonus of either rain, snow, or both. The most recently conquered camp took place in a consistant 20-30cm of light fluffy snow, which I have since learned is like walking on dry sand. At first it is deceptively easy to trudge through it, it weighs next to nothing and weilds to a snow boot easilly. But try keep pace up a shallow slope, or a grainite hill and the constant slipping makes you feel as though you are moving two steps forward one step back. Mixed with the already heavy equipment, the inability for our 'snow suit' to resist waster, GIANT winter gumboots, and the snow getting inside your rifle melting, refreezing and jamming the machinery everytime you have to dive onto the ground and you will understand that the snow is not your friend.

We go marching on and on, hoorah!

2010-10-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

Instead of a weekend we got a march.

Carrying a 20kg bag of plaster has never been a particular strain, however, I have never before ventured to walk, sometimes run, for 10+ km with a bag of plaster. Esentially that is what the march was, though I think 30-5 kgs would be a more accurate guess as to the weight of the combined equipment.

It started much the same way that the camp did, pulling on complete combat equipment before reporting outside to make sure our ballistics vest is fitted with front and rear bullet proof plates. Then on to the basement to collect equipment, and then take it up to be be checked and counted.
Our group has been picked to take four landmines and two camoflage sheets. We pack the equipment into the amphibious Armoured Personal Carriers, then we are off. We are dropped off somwhere and then have to get back to the garrison.

It didn't take long before my back was aching. My spine felt very compressed and my XL ballistics vest was all too apparently too big for me. We marched and marched, with a 5 or 10 break every now and then.

Relief finally came in the form of a familiar landmark, and while I knew how far we still had to walk, knowing your way is enough to shine some light on the end.

After making it bake to base we had about 5 minutes to get changed for lunch, which turned out to be dinner as well.

Altogether a rather lousy weekend!

The longest four days

2010-10-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

Filling our largest pack with almost the entire contents of our locker, and wearing just about everything else we marched outside into a constant drizzle, a spitting rain which would last through the day and into tomorrow. We stood outside in the rain for a while smearing camo paint on our faces, with instructions to cover all visable skin. Then, leaving our packs outside to soak up the weather we were hearded into the basemen level of our dormatory building to collect and lug camping equipment back outside to the transport trucks. After loading everything into the trucks it was time for us to collect a meager packed lunch and cram into the APCs.
We spent most of the day moving equipment around the forrest in a bid to find a good vantage point to defend from. It seemed kind of stupid (read: stupid) to constantly change locations, things should be considered more so an educated decission is made without the need for great physical exersion. Needless to say I understand this is defence force training, and all the nonsence is for the sake of teaching discipline or somthing. Still, it is difficult to do somthing when another way makes more sense.
After finally finding our position, and with twilight quickly turning to night we spent a few hours digging fox holes. They must be knee deep. Every time I push my spade into the ground I hit a rock. I was not having fun.
At this point in the day I was tired, frustrated and just wanted to be warm.
We hauled the euipment to the campsite our leader had found us and with as little cooperation a seemingly possible attempted to errect the tent in complete darkness. I was not having fun.
The tent constructed we left to fetch our packs from the truck. With no moonlight and a muddy, often flooded road to contend with I'm suprised I managed not falling, gotta catch a break somewhere I guess.
A sleepless night of fire guarding and foxhole lookout ended with a 6 oclock wake up, pack up, and return to the trucks for repacking, regrouping, breakfast (rice porridge can be the best thing about a day), and changing locations.
As with all the small joys to be had while camping; food, rest, personal time, ways are found to impact on them to such an extent that it would be better you hadn't had them at all. Usually this is achieved by reducing the time you have to enjoy them. 3 minutes is not enough time to finish most of your breakfast, clean and pack your eating utensils and put all your gear back on. Fun was a concept, far far from reach.

The second day progressed slowly, much in the way of the first day, though perhaps easier.
Same lugging of equipment (though not as far, or as much), same shifting of positions (not so many times), same digging of foxholes (though they were already mostly made by previous training camps). The real show that things were on an up-swing was the building of the tent in broad daylight, things hit a notch when we were told to move the almost completed tent 50 metres to acomodate secondary defence positions, then another notch when we were told that our team would be sleeping in another tent, because, well I don't really know.
After filling the day with repeated exercises and uninteligible lectures the night was finally falling in again. I was told my partner and I were first up to sit in the freezing foxholes and give the silent alert if there were signs of movement or danger. We waited in silence, minutes passed slowly and became hours, no sign of movement. Then the crack of gunfire and my partner ran off to base to make the slent alarm. I waited for my team, no one came. I finally learned from another team that it was over and that it was safe to remove hearing protection. I stalked off to my camp wondering what happend, what possible reason was there for me to be waiting by myself in the cold for so long. Turns out my partner got lost on the way back to the camp.
Another sleepless night was made slightly better by the understanding that we would not be moving the next day. The next day would also bring free time and the mobile soldiers-home van, the idea of coffee and doughnuts is a powerful restorative.

The third day was once again more of the same, and once more easier than the day before. After lunch things when down hill, though the incline wasn't too steep. We had to do formation marching through the wilderness for most of the afternoon. Then it was over, free time had begun. I changed all my clothes, organised my equipment, then it was time for dinner, and then coffee and doughnuts. A lot of positivity can come from such small things and the leaders would do well to keep that in mind.

On the last day we had a 5am wakeup, and once again packed everthing up and carried it to the trucks. We were not leaving yet however, we had a war game first. It might sound like fun to go sneaking around, shooting wooden bullets, and it is, but not for long. Soon it becomes routine, then it becomes a chore. Nobody likes chores. Still, when the war games were done, ifwe still had rounds left we were given permission to empty our magazines. Fully automatic.

Tykkimies no more

2010-09-12T04:34:00.000-07:00

From this

to this

After 8 weeks in Niinisalo's Tykistöprikaati I was granted a transfer to Helsinki's Kaartin Jääkärirykmentti.

I had initially applied to do my service in Helsinki because I had heard that most non-Finnish speaking Finns go there, and thought that they would therefore be the best equiped to deal with me. Trasportation was also a fairly large consideration for serving in Helsinki. However the fates were against me and I had a choice between two othe bases, one being Niinisalo. I chose Niinisalo out of the two because it was the closest to my family in Finland.

'Close', it turns out is a relevant term, and after the first two weeks I discovered that there were a grand total of zero forms of public transport to get to the base. Instead I had to rely on a car that is older than I am, and at least as inefficient. With winter due to approach at some stage towards the end of the year transportation started to become a little more problematic with absolutely no winter driving experience and a car that is difficult to start on the best days.

So I applied for a transfer to the Kaartin Jääkärirykmentti based on an island, ajoined by bridge to Helsinki. I spent about three weeks wondering what will happen; will I get the transfer, what happens if I don't, and to add to the small but nagging worries, the car that I was using got reversed into, busting the radiator.

Things turned out for the best however and by the next Sunday I was on a train bound for the capital, and on Monday I reported to the base.

Leaving behind the mantle of Tykkimies I have since taken up the title of Kaartin Jääkäri.

Vala

2010-08-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

The end of last week brought with it the end of recruit season, and with the vala (oath ceremony) I ended my service as an alokas (recruit) and became one of many new tykkimies (translated, I believe it is cannon men).

The day started as usual at around 6am with a call for men up, lights on, and good morning! We were told to get our holiday gear on and to get ready to leave for breakfast. The idea of eating porridge in good clothes with all the coordination that a hastey wake up affords made me a little nervous, however, on it came. Boots recieved a pollish, trousers were tucked into military blousers (used instead of tucking trousers into boots, uncomfortable but much easier to get uniform blousing on both trouser legs (Because that's important!)), zips all zipped closed, beret rolled and stuffed into left breast pocket (with the lion emblem facing out), velcro name tag afixed, collar coweled.

After breakfast, which was a good time to gage the increasing chill (between 10-15 degrees), I went back to the dormatory to wait for 8am, which was when we would be heading to Sastamala where the ceremony would take place.

8am came slowly, slower still was the wait to get on the busses outside in the light but cold drizzle.

Sitting and dozzing on the bus for an estimated 1 hour brought us in to the town center where we deboarded and lined up to drop off our bags for the duration of the 'festivities'. Then back into formation, this time in height order, and a final adjustment of berets, gloves, zips, laces, and repositioning of rifles.

Then came the call for attention, heels snap together, a moment passes before we are ordered to march, left foot swings forward while the left arm swings back. The goal of marching is to move as one, a goal we had almost always failed to achieve in practices. However, for some unknown reason, possibly the fear of humiliation infront of the numerous onlookers, family and friends, we marched well enough to recieve a 'you did good' from our senior liutenant.

We marched down a street and into a park and then onto a football field where the oath was to take place. Once all the battalions had been arranged in rows and at right angles to each other, forming a three sided rectangle, the Tykistöprikaati flags were brought in.

This is one of them.

It's the same symbol that I wear on my holiday uniform, right under the Finnish flag (See VLV post).

Next we were addressed by the colonel, then by the chaplain. Finally, standing at attention we simultaneously removed our berets with our right hand and placed it in our left (with elbow at 9o degrees), then removed our right glove and held our hand up with index and middle fingers raised and the other fingers suppressed by the thumb, we were given the oath from a veteran soldier. Repeating after him the begining and the end of the oath (rather clumsily by me I think). The colonal then gave a speach, thanking the people who deserved thanks, and telling us that we we no longer recruits, but TYKKIMIES!

The parade proceeded afterwards. Marching through the town center to the beat of a drum and the rest of the military band came as a relief to my back, legs, and feet which had begun to ache after an hour and a half of standing without being able to shift my feet, also helping to shake the slight but noticable chill gained from lack of movement.

The parade over, the end in sight, all that was left was to drop off our guns before we could go and greet our spectators, and possibly more important, drink some hot coffee, eat sausages with mustard, sugar doughnuts and hot pea and ham soup.

The day ended with the collection of our bags, one final formation where we were told to have a good weekend, and a comfy bus ride back to the garrison, and my car.

The mist

2010-08-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

Driving home after a sauna one night I saw this peculiar mist. Unlike any I had ever seen before, it was not all covering, instead hanging low to the ground in clumps and moving slowly, as seperate bodies across fields and roads.

Sunset

2010-08-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

Art in Ähtäri

2010-08-22T05:27:00.000-07:00

A little while ago I visited the Eero Hiironen Gallery. Located about 5 minutes walk off the main street in Ähtäri, the gallery is primarily and exhibition space for a collection of Eero Hiironen's often metalic, sculptural works.

The gallery also boasts a small but impressive private collection of prints from the 1950-70s. Among the artists are Picasso, Miro, and Dali.

On another trip through Ähtäri I found a painting from the 70s for 5€ in a fleamarket store

3, 2, 1

2010-08-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

A new addition to the 10, 5, 1 system.

At the announcement of '3 Minutes' one person from each room must stand against the door at ease, while the rest of the occupants must sit on their stools (also at ease)

Come the '2 minute' mark everyone, standing or sitting, must now be doing so at attention. Feet together, hands in fists, and if you are sitting your arms must be streched out straight with your fists on your knees.

Then at one minute, lights are turned off and everyone is in a line at the door in asento (attention).

I see red

2010-08-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

It's been berry season here this last month or so and my tongue, teeth, and fingertips have yet to regain their normal colour.

My hunting began on a trip to the family summer cottage. I was wondering around with little to do when I spotted a little red near a hedge, careful not to lose sight of it I moved closer to find it was a very small, very red strawberry. I picked it and ate it and proceeded to do nothing else until I had eaten all in sight.

Similar to the wild strawberries than I've found in my backyard back home in shape and size, they are as dissimilar in flavour as possibly comprehensable. Perhaps a bit of a statement, however, while the ones back home are bland and watery, the ones I've found here are so rich with strawberry flavour that the smell carries metres. FACT. While walking to the soldiers home (sotko) a couple weeks ago I smelt strawberries, and couldn't think why until I spotted a few growing on the side of the path, only the restraint of my dignity kept me from diving head long into the middle of them.

Later I discovered blueberries growing like weeds while in the forrest training to plant mines, throw grenades etc. Suffice to say my purple stained fingers quickly betrayed my ill attention. On another occasion in the same forrest we were asked (read: told) to help retrieve a missing hand grenade, solid metal, not live... It took the time of a very cursory search before I changed my attentions to a more profitable and delicious end.

Weekend leave about two weeks back brought with it the opportunity of picking raspberries, On arrival the prospect of finding any looked fairly bleak. However, once you get started, and put on your raspberry eyes you can't stop seeing them. I ate as much as I collected and still ended up with about a litre or two. My berry picking partner, more fastidious and much more restrained, came away with about 3 times as much as I did.

VLV

2010-08-01T04:24:00.000-07:00

Viikonloppuvapaa
(essentially it means weekend leave. Viikon-the weeks, loppu- end/finish, vapaa-holiday. Or at least that's how I understand it)

To be able to leave for the weekend we must be clean shaven, hair (on our head) must not touch our ears, and our boots must pollished to the highest shine they are capable of reaching.

When we are on leave and travelling to or from the base in our uniform we must wear is correctly, no matter how hot or cold the climate. While outside we wear a berret with the lion mark over the left eye so that there is three fingerspaces of head visable over the left ear, two fingerspaces of forhead visable over the left eye, one over the right and the right ear is almost completely covered.

We must also wear our leave uniform, consisting of pants tucked into black leather boots and a jacket with the zip done up to the top, the snaps all snapped closed, the collar folded down, and the waist sinched. On the left arm we have the Finnish flag, and the gold on red Tykistöprikaati lion mark. On the right chest we have our last name. All our personal luggage is packed inside a standard issue army green duffel bag.

10, 5, 1

2010-08-01T04:20:00.000-07:00

At some stage we were told that there are three markers before a particular event, such as meal times, the first is at 10 minutes prior. At this time you are expected to take care of any human needs, fill your drink bottle etc. At five minutes you should be back in your room making sure your locker is locked windows are closed and that you look the part of a soldier (this means tucking everything in; shirt into pants, pants into boots, laces into boots, we usually wear running shoes though (with laces tucked in of course)). Then when the one minute notice is called one person must dash to the door open it 90 degrees and stand against it in asento ('attention', with feet touching at the heels and in a 'V' shape, wide enough that you could fit both fists side by side in between the gap). The rest of the occupants must stand still and silent in a line, with the head of the line standing at attention in the doorway, and the rest staning as ease behind (the lights must be turned off too, unless someone is staying in the room). Then the information officer will direct people to open the doors at the end of the corridor, and once the last minute is up we are advised to 'mars mars' (run) as fast as we can down two flights of stairs and out two narrow doors into marching formation outside our dormatory building, while remembering to put our cap on the moment we get outside. Somtimes (always) they don't think we did it fast enough, or they thought people were talking or fidgiting so we have to do it all again from the minute mark.

3 weeks later...

2010-08-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

So, about three weeks ago I began millitary service here in Finland, the duration of which is undecided. Originally planning to be here only 6 months, there is also the option of 9 or 12 months depending on what you would like to train in or achieve, for instance if you have any desire to let power go to your head you should stay for 12 months and become an Alikersantti (Corporal).

(It was suggested to me that officers school might be a good option as I am fluent in English. The suggestion came despite my almost complete lack of fluency in the Finnish language. However, let us see how basic training goes)

The begining-

After driving for two hours from my current home in Töysä to the military base in Niinisalo I walked through the gates, showing my conscription form to security I passed into what I didn't really realise was land that not just anyone can walk onto. It might have felt like a privilage, however, It didn't. It felt like a mixture of waiting in line at airport security and the first day of a new school, both experiences which leave me feeling nervous despite being sensible as to what I should expect. Walking through those gates left me with the positive aspects of airport security and first days of school too, and while I felt completly alone I also had a stubborn determination to stay calm, suck it up, and act like an adult!

After checking myself in, and attempting to drink a cup of steaming hot, sour black coffee I was sorted (in a somewhat less magical way than at Hogwarts) into a batteri, jaos, and tuppa (battery, unit, room (I think)).
Then off we went to the supply store room to get our first batch of military equipment; 5 tee shirts, 5 pairs of socks and underwear, 2 pairs of training jackets and 2 pairs of pants, leather boots, shower sandels, running shoes, gumboots, speedos, black shorts, track suit, 2 towels, a cap, a beret, a big back pack, a drink bottle, fork-spoon combo, food canteen, and, a sack known as sipuli sakki (onion sack). Lugging all this equipment back to our room we ran a check to make sure everyone had everything, then we organised all our gear into what had originally seemed to be quite a large locker. Having folded everthing as neatly as I could space was quite tight by the end of the day, still, the three empty clothes hangers fortold of more to come.
Changing into a pair of cammo cargo pants, an army green tee and running shoes we headed for the dining hall, in amateur formation, then back to the sleeping quarters to put on our shower gear and make a hasty dash to the showers. I think we went to bed after that (10pm bed time), though I get a little fuzzy on recollections after lunch time.
Waking up, or rather getting woken up at 6am the next day was surprisingly easy, despite having slept in till about eleven the previous day. Once again we applied bathroom gear, made a dash to brush our teeth, make buisness, and then rush back to get dressed for breakfast.

Things have not been too dissimilar since...

Lying Architecture

2010-07-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

A while back I spotted a worrying trend of walls pretending to be windows, and even entire facades hidding behind almost convincing veils, which immitate the buildings they cover.

The building in the previous post 'Yes Shop', is another example of sorts, it doesn't look much like a castle beyond the facade. The same goes for the red, farm house-ish building.

Have a look...

I'm on to you...

Yes Shop

2010-07-09T06:28:00.000-07:00

I went for a drive to revisit a shop I've gone to on every visit to Finland I can remember. I can only ever remember it as Keskinen, some call it Kyläkauppa. However on looking at their website I don't know exactly what it's called.

Here is their description-

Bros. Keskinen Ltd. / VillageShop

The wild Statue of Liberty of Finnish commerce – Brothers Keskinen Ltd., the biggest VillageShop in Finland, the Legend of the plains, the Pearl of Ostrobothnia, the miraculous Department Store in the backwoods - a beloved child has many names - rises at the gate of Southern Ostrobothnia, in the middle of nowhere. It is very difficult to describe this department store of the new generation with words; it must be experienced personally.

Welcome to Tuuri!

While a tad boastful, I think they are right, it must be experienced personally.

For me, it is a place of infinite 'why the hell not' fighting against mass crassness. While the internal look is simply that of any other mall/modern department store (with the exception of stuffed wild life perched on logs bolted to the stucture), the external aesthetic is part disneyland,and part 100 year old scandinavian village/farm. These two aesthetics don't have to compete, they are seperated by a large butter yellow concrete wall, spanning a third of the available parking area.

I think it's great. Ridiculous, maybe. Excessive, perhaps. Crass, questionable, illogical.., of course. But that shouldn't sugest that it's not wonderful.

Here are some pictures. Excuse the cars, people and other things blocking the veiw, I tried to avoid them but there was a fair going on nearby...

The Lucky Horseshoe monument, 3rd ugliest monument in the world as rated by Reuters. It has a wishing well located under the the arch of the horseshoe, possibly the reason why the horse shoe is upside down, so the luck falls into the well...

The entrance to the department store.

The castle.../supermarket (on the ground floor)/hotel(other floors). The ground floor also houses a cafeteria, fast food resturant, alcohol shop, hotel check in, gambling machines (legal age for which is 15), and a large foyer area decorated with buildings at 1/2 scale at above door height.

Imagine waking to the sight of a giant carpark from your hotel room... The supermarket would be handy though!

The splendor of the owner's palacial estate. There are seven fountains, seven unicorn statues, I also counted seven tables on the deck area and seven topiaries in identical planters. Coincidently the owner's lucky number is also said to be...

The fair, I think there was an age limit of 16. I did't want to go anyway.

As a related side note, this Saturday the shopping center grounds will hold the Miljoona Rock concert featuring Finland's own The Rasmus, and last years eurovision song contest winner, Alexander Rybak, among others... Where will I be this weekend you ask? Sitting outside, because it costs €50 to get in.

Link- http://www.tuuri.fi/

Töysä

2010-07-09T03:50:00.000-07:00

Leaving Piksämäki for Töysä I caught a train, trasfering in Jyväskylä before heading to Ähtäri where I would catch a cab to Töysä.

Ariving in Jyväskylä after a short 30-40 minutes travel time I heaved my 20+ kg suitcase down the three steps onto the platform, and took a look at the arivals/departures. Feeling a bit nervous about catching the right train I waited. About 10 minutes later, a train arrived at the platform I had just come from. I didn't think it was my connection because it was 10 minutes early, luckily however I checked the train number, which was the same as on my ticket. Lugging all my luggage back up three steep narrow steps (and catching my shin rather badly on one of them), I swore inwardly while looking for a seat.

You know you are heading for the country when you board a diesel train, and the continuous rail system dissapears, leaving you with the clickity click clickity click of segmented rail. However, after a very satisfactory rest accompanied by the never ending playlist of my Mp3 player I was in Ähtäri, a mere 10-15 minutes from Töysä.

Ähtäri Train Station

Fazer

2010-07-09T02:02:00.000-07:00

Fazer is Finland's most reconisable chocolate company. The brand was started in 1891 in Helsinki by Karl Fazer, since then is has expanded internationally and is recognized under 13 different brands. As well as making chocolate, Fazer also produces bread and pastries. The kind that one might try at the market place in Helsinki, or while visiting Soumenlinna...

Fazer has a 33 euro-cent range that includes the following,

Geisha original. Milk chocolate with a soft hazelnut filling.
Verdict: Delicious, but nothing amazing, reminds me of Nutella and Ferrero Rocher.

Geisha Dreamy Caramel. Milk chocolate with truffle crisp filling.
Verdict: Good, but uninspired rehash of the caramel chocolate combo.

Fazerina original. Milk chocolate with orange flavoured truffel.
Verdict: Orange and chocolate is a, some-times food.

Fazerina Caramel. Milk chocolate with truffel filling.
Verdict: same as Geisha Caramel.

JIM. Milk chocolate with fruit foam filling.
Verdict: If at first you don't agree, try, try again. Peculiar and addictive.

Da-Capo. Dark chocolate with dark chocolate truffel filling.
Verdict: Super rich, make sure you have a glass of milk on hand to tackle this diminutive beast.

Susu. Milk chocolate with rice crisps and caramel.
Verdict: Possibly the best of the three caramel and chocolate excursions on the list.

Pätkis. Mint truffel covered with milk chocolate.
Verdict: This is and always has been my favourite, so I am a little biased.., I bought 6 times as many of them in the same transaction. The soft mint truffel is almost refreshing until you get to the last bite, then you need more.

Reminders of NZ found in Supermarket

2010-07-09T01:19:00.000-07:00

As there are so many supermarkets around, and I am so constantly hungry for strange icecreams (and everything else), I have been wandering around them with exponential frequency. On my wanderings I have discovered a few products that would be very at home in my home land New Zealand.

For the paltry sum of...

Which equates to NZ$12.3567 per 400g
or NZ$30.8890 per Kg

I also found these. I don't know how well they would survive such a long journey...

Priced at...
Or NZ$2.6705 per 430g
NZ$6.2196 per Kg

One might think that it would be better to have a little less choice with things like these. Grow your own sheep Finland, and New Zealand, how about expanding your exports outside of agriculture...

Culture Centres, Pieksämäki

2010-07-05T03:18:00.000-07:00

Kulttuuripappila Sylvi is, as I understand, housed in the former rectory of the local church. It serves as a rehersal space for local theater productions, informal museum, cafe, and art exhibition space. When I visited there was a show by Finnish painter, Marianna Uutinen, born locally and now living and working in the capital.

I hope she won't mind me posting a few photos of her work.

Award winning Finnish nature Photographer Antti Leinonen also had an exhibit. I hope he doesn't mind me posting photos either...

On the same day I also visited Poleeni, The Pieksämäki Cultural Centre.

Designed by Kristian Gullichsen in the 1980s, the more modern culture centre houses a library, theatre, cafe, and exhibition spaces. The current exhibition, with works by three artists; Seppo Kalliokoski, Matti Kurkela, and Kari Kärkkäinen, had a wood working theme.

Luks
Matti Kurkela

Julmuus
Kari Kärkkäinen

Syli
Seppo Kalliokoski

Many of the works had the names of the artists carved into them, which I found questionable and distracting... However, that's just my opinion

Pieksämäki

2010-07-05T02:19:00.000-07:00

Finally leaving Helsinki behind (for now), I made for the town of Pieksämäki.

Pieksämäki is about three and a half hours, by train, from Helsinki, and is within the boundaries of the electrictrified rail network, so you can count on a smooth trip, and a resturant carriage.

Arriving almost exactly on time (11:42, one minute late), I began my tour of the town (after first being cooked lunch by a friend (bacon and eggs on piirakka (a rice or mashed potato filled savoury pastry (YUM!)))).

Like most towns/cities that I have visited in Finland, Pieksämäki has all the usual attributes; a Marimekko store, at least 3 small supermarkets, a market square, a Hess Burger, a pizza place (RECOMENDED!), and of course, lakes and trees aplenty.

Aside from the usual Pieksämäki boasts the privalige of the Moilas baked goods factory. On the day I visited it was 26 degrees celcius, oi.

Here are a collection of their various treats...

My constant companion these last few weeks, the sun.

A veiw from the overpass, above the railway lines.

Midnight light

2010-06-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

The Sea Fortress: part 3 (final)

2010-06-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

After walking around the town portion a little longer I went in search of the large guns and fortified outer wall.

There were a lot of people enjoying the summer sun on these rocks.

Spotted: A Hobbit hole

Spotted: A Russian gun.

Ahhhh, the jagged outter wall.

Spotted: Another, very antique looking cannon pointed seaward.

I walked around the tall walls and through some of the dark tunnels for a while longer before admitting to myself that I had seen enough for one day. So, with a slightly sunburnt neck and a hankering for another jam doughnut I ambled slowly to the main quay to catch the ferry back to the city.

The Sea Fortress: part 2

2010-06-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

After walking around a bit more on the Little Black Island I walked to another island appropriately called Länsi-Mustasaari (West Black Island).

Veiw to Pikku Mustasaari from Länsi-Mustasaari.

There was not much there to hold my attention (mainly residential flats), and my stomach was causing a fuss so I made the walk back to the island I had landed on (Iso Mustasaari).

With the mass of tourists departed I headed for the cafe/snack store. I bought a meat and rice filled pastry, a jam and custard filled doughnut, and an ice block.

I recomend!

These are some images of the central parts of the two largest islands; Iso Mustasaari (Big Black Island), and Susisaari (Wolf Island)/Kustaanmiekka (Gustav Sword(?))

The Sea Fortress: part 1

2010-06-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

On the second day of Midsummer, with the majority of shops, museums, and almost everything else of interest closed, I decided to take the ferry to Suomenlinna (or Sveaborg, if you are Swedishly inclined).

"Founded on islands off the coast of Helsinki in 1748, the Suomenlinna sea fortress is a cultural treasure. It's construction began in the 1700s when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. The guns that still face west on the rampants at Kustaamiekka [Southern most part of the largest island] are a reminder of the period under Russian rule in the 19th century"-Suomenlinna brochure

As well as being an outdoor museum, Suomenlinna also houses a permanent population in period residential buildings. The island also has a church, post office, small supermarket, and more icecream kiosks, cafes, and souvenir shops than you could poke a stick at.

Walking out the door wearing jeans due to the windy and overcast look of the weather I hitched a ride on the Metro, which luckily started service just as I got to the station (around 11am the sign told me. How usefully vague). Getting into town a little later I walked to the ferry terminal near market square. Buying a return ticket for just €3.80(?) I hopped on the waiting ferry which departed 5 minutes later.

15 minutes later...

Arriving at the island I hopped off the ferry and immediately walked away from the crowd, over a bridge to the island of Pikkumustasaari, which by my translation = Little Black Island.

Doesn't look that special... Scroll down.

I found this giant ring fixed securely by the sea shore. Still not that special I guess. Shoes still quite white.

There wasn't anything in the brochure about this island, but there weren't many people walking there so I veiwed this as a good place to start. The buildings were all closed but there was a sort of dingy, dark, and slightly scary looking opening guarded by a creepy effigy, so, onwards...

Thanks to the benefits of flash photography, here is a blurred image of the inside of the cave(?). I promise that it was a lot darker than it looks.

The floor was also littered with bones to help with the ambiance...

While the cats away...

2010-06-25T03:39:00.000-07:00

I'm still here in Helsinki while everyone else has gone away to their summer cottages in the countryside for Midsummer celebrations. Well not everyone.

Though the streets are much quieter where I am now (the suburbs), earlier this morning the city center was bustling, especially the market place. So, after completing the full circuit of the 3T tram I dropped by the markets and enjoyed a sugar doughnut with apple in the center, and a cup of coffee. The doughnut was saturated in ungoodness which made it particuraly crispy and delicious, and the coffee was, ok...

I also had a look through the less transitory market, a lovely brick building also on the waters edge.

In the background on the right is an Alvar Aalto office building, with the Uspenski Cathedral poking out the top of it.

Hyvää Juhannusta

2010-06-25T03:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Midsummer Everyone!

Mystery tortoise watch.

2010-06-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

On the many walks I've been taking while in Helsinki I've discovered a reoccuring object of decoration and utility scattered about in several entirely seperate locations, the concrete tortoise/pole holder. Why? Who knows.

This one was spotted between the old post office and the modern art museum.

This slick, all black fellow was found near the markets on the water edge.

This unadorned tortoise was near a beach in Hertoniemi, Helsinki.

I'm sure I've seen more of these little blighters around, the search is on!

Incident on the number 3B tram.

2010-06-24T03:14:00.000-07:00

While sitting on the tram the other day, taking in the sites, I was rudely interupted by a Mercedes ploughing into the side of the carriage. You can read for yourself below... If you can read Finnish.

This is a Google translation. A bit choppy but there you go...

Tram and car traffic collision jumitti the middle of Helsinki

Passenger and 3B-line tram kolaroivat the center of Helsinki at half past seven on Tuesday evening. Collision occurred Punavuori rink Street and Frederick Street junction. Passenger Rail turned to street directly in front of the tram, but survived the accident without injuries. Collision crowded intersection, incomplete pouleksi hours. Police arrived to direct traffic.
The car was not the driver but the passengers. Tram rails remained, but was transported for repair depot method.

We all scream for it

2010-06-24T02:02:00.000-07:00

I was walking around the neighbourhood when I here a tune, a tune that almost certainly must be an ice cream truck, tinny, repetitive, irresistable!

I didn't consciously look for the truck, but it found me. The driver got out of the truck and asked what I would like, I pointed out an icecream on the rear truck door menu and was told that there were only TWO of the many that were sold individually, I picked this...

It was cola and melon flavoured (?) (to the best of my judgment I could not say for sure), and it was delicious

DELICIOUS.

A walk in the park

2010-06-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been sunny and warm (in the 20s C.), the birds are singing, and the Helsinki residents are comming out of their scandinavian modernist inspired 1990's appartments.
Instead of trekking to the city, lugging along a bag full to the brim with the trappings of your average tourist, I have been joining them for some sun and sea air in a local park.

This building, now a museum (open on sundays), is situated in the more formal part of the park surrounded by geometric gardens, and other period buildings.

I think this building was originally a storehouse.

As you walk further away from the Empire style (I think) gardens and buildings the park becomes much more relaxed. With lots of winding paths confusing direction, It's easy to get a bit lost, several times now I have found my way back to where I started without intention, cursing under my breath I turn around and try again.

The less formal but still ruggedly manicured side of the park makes for great walking (5 times and counting), jogging (4 times and counting), or biking(0 times, whump whaaa). It is filled with lots of wild groupings of birch surrounded by natural hedges of stinging nettles (Great!), and lots of benches and grassy areas to picnic in.

Domino effect...

2010-06-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

So here is what happend.

Flight to Beijing was going fine, in fact, better than most that I've been on. Lots of entertainment, a nice dinner of beef gravy, peas, and kumara (with a slightly perculiar colslaw, and obligatory bread roll), followed neatly by a passionfruit soaked sponge pudding, kiwi fruit biscuits and tea.

Then it went a wee pear shaped as things often do when they seem too good. While watching the flight channel (showing the plane over the globe, time to destination, ground speed, etc...) I noticed that we were veering off course slightly, then more and more until we were heading away from the airport. 'No wait' I thought, 'we're heading back again', 'must'av needed a different approach angle, or a gap in air traffic'.

WRONG

Turns out there was a really rather large thunderstorm hovering above the Chinese capital... So we landed at an airport 200km away and waited (I watched the first half of season one of glee). After about 2 or 3 hours we took off again for Beijing. Making a fairly turbulent landing after another 40 minutes airtime I was finally at my half way point.

WRONG

My connecting flight to Helsinki had left. I was quickly booked onto a flight that would take me to my final destination with a transfer at Stockholm's Arlanda airport. The flight was supposed to leave in 3 hours, though it actually left in about 9. So after running through what must be the largest airport ever, trying to collect my checked luggage from the carosel and recheck it (4 floors up. 4!), navigate customs, navigate the terminal lounge, and wait forever, I was on my way again.

This is what the airport gave me to eat while waiting, what I think were tofu balls, rice, soggy cabbage, crumbed fish, and weird pink sausage like product.

Arriving in Stockholm at 12am, after 8 hours of bordom on a flight without any entertainment, and questionable meals, I found that my transfer had left many moons ago. I was told that because I couldnt be found in the system they couldn't book me onto a flight so I would have to come back in the morning and do it myself. (They could, however, set me up in a hotel near the airport. For free, with easy transport, WIN)

Back to the airport at 5 in the morning after a shower and 3 hours sleep and the impression that I would be on a 7am flight (I was told with convincing sincerity that this was possible) I discover that people are unhelpful, and that all the counters that might be able to help me open around 6:00-6:30. Raspberries! Where next? Mc Donalds for breakfast of course! That breakfast menu was calling my name, and despite myself I cannot deny there is somthing soothing and reasuring about McD's in a foreign country. Desks open for me after a nice meal of crepe style swedish pancakes with strawberry preserve and a hash brown, flight is booked and I'm grinning like a freak all the way to customs. I spend the last of my 100 kronor on a bag of Daim chocholates and wait an hour and a half.

PANCAKES!

My flight is with Finnair and it is delightful. The sun is sunning, I'm drinking a hot cup of tea, and I don't have to sit next to anyone. At this point I am far beyond the any desire for contact from strangers.

Then at last I'm in Finland and I fly through customs without hassle.

Underestimation by half

2010-06-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

So it turns out that 21 hours was optimistic. Starting my trip around 10pm Wednesday the 16th (New Zealand time) and arriving in Helsinki at around 7pm on Friday the 18th (NZ time)(10am Finnish time)

Am I right in thinking that's 45 hours!

And so it begins...

2010-06-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

Wintry sunshine, obscenely white shoes, and a head cold mark the beginning of my extended sojourn in Finland.

Now to wait for the seconds to slip by, and find myself at the airport check in with out my passport, or a 21 hour panic attack, wondering whether or not I packed an international power adaptor. Tick tick tick...

Stay tuned for more.