So apparently I haven't been here in a month, which is crazy. I haven't even been that busy. Simply getting on with my life in the way a self-perpetuating media node does.
Summer in Helsinki rocks. The weather has been exceptional (apparently, I don't have much frame of reference, to be honest), the girls are out in force and it's simply a pleasant place to be. Much like Montreal, and doubtless for the same reasons (the winters are long and ghastly) there are little festivals, carnivals and happenings every time you turn around. There was a frankly odd Rio-esque "summer carnival" yesterday, but the dancers and drum-beaters all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I have some pictures which maybe I'll upload.
Nipped over to Tallinn on Friday night. Took the chopper there, which takes 18 minutes and is as fun as helicopter flying always is. Not too spenny either, mine was 100 euros but it can be less. Spent the evening drinking and wandering around the old town, interacting with an Estonian hen do (blimey), having a massage (not actually dodgy, but certainly fairly sordid - the establishment being called "Club Hedone", it was never going to be an entirely above-board affair). Also a slightly awkward point when I thought I was being hyper-cool by getting into an un-signed club...only to discover it was a gay club (called "Angel", on the same street as the massage place, the street being called "Sauna"). I made my excuses and left. The highlight of the evening was a bar called "The Bar with No Name" where the tiny dance floor became alive with activity - the place really kicked off, and in a very good way. Loads of girls trying out their moves, and I managed to befriend a pair of them which felt splendidly sleazy. Actually, I hope they don't read this - they weren't sleazy at all. Very nice girls, in fact. Young mind, but then everyone seems to be young these days :(
Oh, and ended up at some crazy-ass place at about 4am near my 'hotel' - the place literally had no name, it was on the corner of Olevemagi down towards Aya and was some kind of unlicensed venue. A bar had been set up quite professionally downstairs, and upstairs was just derelict - someone had some decks in one room, and people were just hanging out. Very friendly student types in general. No idea if it's always there or anything. Fun fun. I slept very well, my 'hotel' being the Olevi Residents, which is mainly a restaurant, but has rooms. You get to the rooms by walking through the kitchen, more or less. It looked a nice restaurant too, great waitresses anyway. The rooms are conducive to good sleeping too - they're underground. I can testify that room 15 at least has no windows, ideal for solid rest in a place where the sun doesn't really go down properly at this time of year.
The next day was truncated as a result of late rising, but went to the Kalev spa which is part of the big hotel at Aya 10. Really good spa, with 90 minute swim, including towel rental, sauna, steam room, jacuzzis for less than 200 krooni. The pool is massive, proper olympic standard. The locker mechanism is highly futuristic too, your wristband has some kind of RFID system and you choose a locker then key it to your tag. Only downside - you have to remember where your locker is. Top marks, I say.
Also managed to squeeze in a second visit to the Beerhouse on Drumli (not sure about that - the street west of the main square) - proper German-style beerkeller with the obligatory waitresses wearing semi-lewd outfits. And the waiters just wearing stupid outfits. There was a temporary stage in the main square with incessant music and performances of dubious quality. I think I may have witnessed the Gypsy Kings there, but if it truly were them, they were not playing at their best. No Hotel California, for example.
Ferry back to 'sinki courtesy of the Nordic Jet, 1h 40 minutes of surprisingly choppy crossing (obviously the iron Sleath constitution didn't even register it, but there were a few green-gilled folk). The ferry is luxuriously appointed, much better than I expected. Witnessed the aforementioned odd carnival on my way back to the hotel, then dinner with my chums Yacine, Pipsa and Niklas and we rolled on to a karaoke place. Absolutely packed with Finns and some Russians. I am a big fan of karaoke, but this was more miss than hit. The sound system had an alarming buzz on it, which got worse over the course of the evening, and there was a predilection among the clientele to sing sentimental Finnish tunes rather than upbeat numbers. Some of the contemporary Finnish stuff was pretty good, but I'd like to go again when there was a younger crowd as it might well be more fun.
That's about up to date...I did manage to drag myself for a run today, a decent 90 minuter going up northwest to Seurasaara, an island with a footbridge to it, and loads of traditional activities there. A bit weird, there are people just swanning around in traditional Finnish (I assume) garb from times of yore. And one woman modernly dressed, with a walkie talkie, but cutting long grass with a scythe. This island also boasts a nudist beach, which was my target (inevitably), but I hadn't considered it would cost money to get in, so I remained fully clothed for the want of 2 euros 50. Next time. The water looked far too choppy to enjoy swimming in it anyway.
Back to work tomorrow, with a run in the evening with my new chums the Helsinki Hash House Harriers. Tuesday afternoon is the company "Summer Day" with jolly activities in the countryside. Being a contractor, I'd prefer to work and get paid, but it would seem a bit churlish and I don't want to upset anyone. I'm sure it will be fun too.
Have I mentioned about my hotel? It's the Torni, on Yjorgkatu, with a smashing bar at the top.
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