72 Hours in Helsinki

After eight months of solid winter, 

Helsinki is vibrant with color and activity on a mid-June day.

Market Square, at the end of the Esplanadi, on the harbor front.

Plenty of fresh flowers, produce, souvenirs.....

...and reindeer hides.

The Esplanadi

Helsinki Cathedral

Finnish children, arguably the most adorable on the planet.

It's a biker's haven in this flat, bike-friendly city.

The trolley: not only easy transport, but also very charming.

Ample outdoor cafes for a beer and hard-cider break.

Klaus K Hotel

A 15-minute ferry ride takes you to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.

A peaceful place to stroll, picnic, 

have a local meal.

Wooden boats.

The brewery...

...with some local fare.

Finns are the #1 coffee consumers in the world, 

consuming on average six cups a day.

That's 25 pounds of coffee per person per year.

And they drink it very strong, without any fussy names.

No Starbucks here.

And the people of Helsinki?  Even the taxi drivers are friendly.

But, difficult as it is to accept, you're not supposed to tip here.  

It's insulting to the Finns, as they see that being kind and helpful

is part of their jobs, not motivated by a tip.  

I'm afraid I insulted everyone....once a waitress always a tipper.

Can a fruit be angry?

I've often wondered who the first daring soul was that had the nerve to eat an artichoke.  For such an unfortunate looking thing, they are delicious and one of my favorite vegetables....so my hat goes off to that epicurean adventurer.  

On my most recent visit to my favorite little organic market, a basket full of what looked like artichokes on acid caught my attention.  I was told they were called Dragon Fruit (Pitaya), sort of a cross between a kiwi and a melon, and a little bit bland.  I decided to give the odd-looking thing a go; it was too fun-looking not to.

It gives the impression it's trying to be angry,

but it's hot pink!

It's not angry at all.  

Unlike a mango, which offers no graceful way to prepare it,

the dragon fruit slices ever-so-easily down the center, and the inside flesh

scoops effortlessly and neatly into your spoon.

As for the taste?  Yes, a little bland.  And not sweet.  

I found it sort of melon-like, a little bit crunchy, 

a nice consistency, and surprisingly refreshing.

I'm thinking the cool husks would nestle a scoop of vanilla ice cream 

drizzled with Grand Marnier very nicely!

Enjoy! 

Homage to Gettysburg

I've been coming to Gettysburg, PA on and off for the last four years

for the sole purpose of dropping off, picking up, or parent-day visits to

my daughter who has been attending Gettysburg College.  And tsk tsk,

shame on me, not once have I toured the famous Civil War battlefields.  

So, on the eve of her graduation next month, I thought it time to 

pay homage to this most significant historic place.

Welcome to the historic town of Gettysburg.  Founded in 1786

by Samuel Gettys, an early settler and tavern owner.

A guaranteed unique slice of Americana.

Nice place to start the day, the Ragged Edge.

A locals hang-out,

serving hearty baked oatmeal for breakfast.

On to the battlefields.

For a place that hosted such horrific bloodshed,
pain, disease and suffering....

...there is a remarkable sense of peace and serenity in these fields.

Plenty of re-enactors can be found
wandering the grounds.

Historic homesteads that were caught in the crossfire,
used as hospitals, headquarters, or looted for provisions.

Overlooking Gettysburg College campus from
one of the battlefield look-out towers.

An amazing 2500-student liberal arts school.

McKnight Hall (home of foreign language study)

"Penn" Hall, used as a hospital during the civil war.

And what could be better after a long day of sight-seeing
than a cold brew at the Appalachian Brewing Company?

Mountain lager and Water Gap Wheat.

Celtic Knot Irish Red.

If you're a regular, you get your own specially-numbered mug
they keep there for you.

Parting shots.