Off Topic post

So today, I am going slightly off-topic, as I was in Helsinki this week. I really like Finland in general and Helsinki in particular. It's a city where I feel 100% comfortable, almost like home. Helsinki is at the same time stylish and sophisticated, yet unpretentious and easy to live in. There would be a lot to brag about Finland though: regularly ranking at the top of the list of most educated countries in the world (http://www.siteselection.com/ssinsider/snapshot/sf011210.htm), at the forefront of modern design and architecture, a visionary country that has revolutionized mobile technology for the rest of the world. It's a city where people are very friendly, in the streets, stores or restaurants, and where they set up a standard for the level of service that should be the envy of the rest of the civilized world.

Helsinki, as the capitol, is small enough that one can easily crisscross the center by foot, or take the great tram system, or use a bike on the extensive bike path system that extends way beyond the city limits (and is lit at night), ot take the subway -and pay with your mobile phone.Go to one of of the many international great restaurants here, Asian, Lebanese, Nepalese, Russian, Hungarian, Mexican, etc.. or just traditional Lapland cuisine with its choice of venison (I confess I had Rudolf for dinner several times). Go to the Opera and listen to world famous Opera singers (and way cheaper than in Paris or New York). Go to a traditional smoke sauna, and jump in the lake afterward. Have a beer with friends at midnight on a street cafe during white nights.

Maybe a reason I like the city so much is that it is almost surrounded by water, the gulf of Finland to be exact. Sea is everywhere, in the many small gulfs around the city, and you cross several bridges as you drive to surrending areas. Most spectacular is the Archipelago, west of the country. Coming this time of the year is also a feast for the eyes, as the trees are changing color; nearing the airport for landing, the view was spectacular.
So in case I was not clear, come visit Finland! And yes, Conan O'Brien looks like the president of Finland, Tarja Halonen, that's why he is so popular here. You can see his show on late night Finnish TV.

I was very busy at work, but here are a few pictures I took with my phone on an early walk (Damn, it was cold!).

But first, for our readers in India (you know who you are), a picture of my favorite dish at the Garlic restaurant, the Bouillabaisse:

The Train Station square and museum of art.

One of the main commercial streets. Each city block here bears the name of an animal.

The Helsinki cathedral (under repair as you can see).

The harbor with schooners.

The Uspenski Orthodox cathedral.

The harbor. There are usually big ferries ships there, going toTalin in Estonia, or cruising through the Gulf.

The Market square, by the harbor.

Look at these mushrooms!

Fresh from the sea!

Esplanadi park, in the center of town.