“Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them... “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.” - Mark 6:48,50-51
Our problem
with the train ticket and additional night accommodation in Rovaniemi was like
being tossed about in a stormy sea. But as I wrote in my last blog, Jesus was
with us to calm the wind and grant us safe passage.
We took an
8-hour ride on the VR Train from Rovaniemi to Helsinki. I guess it was also a
blessing that we didn’t travel at night as I originally planned because we got
to see Finland’s countryside.
More
blessings were poured upon us when we arrived in Helsinki as our hotel, the Scandic
Hakaniemi, was centrally located. Beside it are a transport terminal, shopping and
eating places. Right across is the Hakaniemi Market Hall where we bought dinner
and things to bring home.
The next
day was the last day of the year and we started it by “getting lost in Helsinki”.
We were not really lost; we just happened to take a bus that went on a
roundabout route to the museum. But that gave us the opportunity to see more of
Helsinki.
We eventually
made it to the Kansallismuseo (National Museum) of Finland.
Our morning
was spent being fascinated by the history of Finland from the Ice Age to this
century.
I was awed
by their historical trove,
amused by Finnish
creatures like trolls and Moomins,
discovered
interesting things like the fact that Princess Leia’s Galaktiset Peaks necklace
in Star Wars was from a series inspired by the moon landing and made by a Finnish
jewelry company,
and
enjoyed sitting around while watching documentaries.
Ball chair – one of the best-known classics of Finnish design |
Since it
was New Year’s Eve, I did not want to pass up the chance to celebrate. There was
a concert and fireworks display at the Senate Square which was walking
distance from our hotel. Buddy came with me to make sure I don’t get lost. It
was a sparkly way to welcome the New Year.
As we were
leaving the day after New Year, I wanted to make the most of Helsinki. I dragged the boys
for more sightseeing in Esplanadi, a promenade and urban park in
downtown Helsinki.
At the end
of the esplanade, we made our way to Kauppatori (Market Square), a
central square located at the South Harbor bordering the
Baltic Sea. It is Helsinki’s most famous international market.
It was a good thing that despite it being the New
Year, there were a few stalls open in Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli). We
had lunch in this first indoor hall that has served
its customers since 1889. We savored reindeer kebab and Finnish meat pie.
Back at the hotel, we learned another lesson: THE
IMPORTANCE OF A TRAVEL INSURANCE. Jaffy’s head had a run-in with the cabinet
door handle. We had to bring him to an emergency clinic where he got two
stitches. Before this, a travel insurance was just an added expense. But this
made me realize just how vital it is to have one.
Our Nordic trip was a new and
wonderful experience but there were also many wind-and-wave-tossed moments. Days
after our trip, as I remembered those stomach-churning moments, I was confused
why they had to happen. Then at mass, the priest’s homily was about the passage
above – Jesus walking on the water during a storm. He said, “We may not
understand why God allows us to go through difficult times but remember that He
is always with us in the boat.” I may still not understand the why, but I felt
assured of His constant presence.
As I look at our photos, I am grateful...
...to God, for showing us the pristine beauty of
winter that we on this side of the world don’t get to experience.
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