Finland! Helsinki! It took us a whole day to get here.

We got to our exchange home in Vantaa around midnight last night. We checked out what will be our home for the next 10 days (it's beautiful and there is a sauna!) unpacked, put on our eye shades (the sun rises an hour earlier and sets an hour later than it does in Minnesota right now) and sacked out, we were exhausted.

Today we took  the light rail train into Helsinki after first walking about 1.5 km. It's a lovely walk with lots of trees  and forest about and we crossed this river which is very close to our home:

 In central Helsinki we first strolled around this plaza and took pictures of the train station which was designed by the architect Eliel Saarinen, father to the architect Eero Saarinen.

 A wonderful example of the Art Nouveau style.

 We walked down to the harbor and through Market Square. 

 So much food in the square! Don ate a reindeer sausage with fries and I had salmon and roasted veggies with dill/garlic sauce. We just sat on the steps of the harbor and ate and fought off aggressive gulls.

 Always take time to relax and enjoy a drink or two at an outdoor table. We've learned that vacations don't have to be about seeing every sight or museum.

We walked up the steps to this cathedral and took in the view.

 Walking down the Esplanade we noticed a large crowd and heard cheering coming from Senate Square and decided to investigate. 

 It's the Samba Carneval! Now in it's 27th year. Senate Square is where the parade gets started.

 Lots of people on the steps to the Lutheran Cathedral.

 I liked this flower child.

 We had a really tasty dessert and coffee at the Cafe Engle just across from the cathedral and then walked along the Esplanade some more, following the parade and then decided to head for home, dark clouds were rolling in.

 We've only had one small misadventure today. We had no trouble finding the correct train back to the Tikkurila Station. We bought some groceries in the station (it's a large shopping center also) and decided to take the bus the rest of the way home instead of walking with the heavy food bag. We took the bus going in the opposite direction than where we wanted to go so we got off, crossed the street, and took the bus going the right way. However, we then missed our stop so we got off, crossed the street and took a bus going the other way. We arrived home only about half an hour later than we should have.
Now we're going to sauna!
More adventures tomorrow. 

Paris - day 11 - my last post

A boat ride on the Seine. Walking in stupid heat. Dinner at home.

We decided yesterday that it would be a good day to ride the Batobus up and down the Seine and take in a few of the sites that we hadn't been to yet. But first we decided to visit the Sunday farmers market at the Bastille. It's huge and full of people!

 Wedges of cheese bigger than your head.

 These leeks were huge, at least 2 feet long!

 A hurdy gurdy man with the cutest little chihuahua.

 Chihuahuas love me. It's true.

 So many different mushrooms.

 Always walk quickly past the seafood stands, they're stinky.

 Besides food there was also stands selling just about anything, clothes, CD's, jewelry, pottery, dishes, linens.

 Here I am eating a tasty and really messy sandwich.

And then we caught the Batobus. Paying 17 Euros for an all day pass, each, was a little steep but when would we be in Paris again to do this? The Batobus is not a tour bus, there isn't anyone blasting out information on a loud speaker, you don't wear headphones that give you the highlights of Paris. Just hop on and hop off at nine different points on the Seine. We decided to go to the furthest point to the west first - Beaugrenelle, just past the Eiffel Tower. It's very modern there, much more so than where we're staying.

 A smaller version of our Statue of Liberty.

 I wish we had got a better picture of the skyway, it's very cool looking.

 Yet another view of the Eiffel Tower.

  There was no shade anywhere and I was getting much too warm and cranky so we stopped in at a restaurant and had cold drinks.

 These people have the right idea. It was so hot yesterday!

 Our next stop was at the far eastern end, just past the Notre Dame stop - the Jardin Des Plantes

 Very little shade and since it was windy the dust kept blowing up and getting in our eyes, otherwise we would have stayed longer, this place covers a lot of ground and has two restored 19th century greenhouses and a zoo.

 Cacti in the alpine garden. I was confused.

 A home for bees.

 Tree with attitude. It looks like it comes from the Wizard of Oz movie, I half expected it to start talking and throwing apples at us.

 Waiting for the Batobus.

Cool windsocks. 

Tonight we go back to the Sunside/Sunset jazz club to hear Tom Harrell, an American trumpet player. We've heard him play in St. Paul, Iowa City, New York City, and now Paris. He's that good. Tomorrow we catch a plane home. We've had a lot of fun but it will be nice to sleep in our own bed tomorrow night.