Gary and I left XNA in Arkansas on June 20, 2014. We had a stop in New York and then left New York for Helsinki. Our final destination was Tampere, Finland but because we wanted to see the countryside we decided to fly to Helsinki and then take the train to Tampere.
This is a picture looking out the window of the train.
Leaving the train station in Tampere to walk to our motel, the Scandic.
The Scandic is right across the street from the train station. That was handy!
As soon as we checked in we took a nap and then headed out. This is a picture of a porty potty. Notice the hanging flowers.
And this is a very typical picture of how a lot of the youth dress here.
Street view in Tampere, Finland.
Gary checking out the local map.
We quickly learned Ravintola was restaurant.
Beautiful view.
I thought the residential apartment balconies were interesting. They were all enclosed. It was very cold while we were here.
City Hall. City Hall hosts the City's official functions.
Tampere Cathedral. The Church of St. John was built in the quarter of Kyttala between 1902 and 1907. The church is built out of natural stone.
Children and adults living in Tampere posed for the church paintings.
The altarpiece Resurrection depicts the central theme of Christianity.
Black sausage. Yes, Gary had some for breakfast. Only once, though. Mustamakkara (literally black sausage) is a type if Finnish blood sausage traditionally eaten with lingonberry jam. It is considered a delicacy and our hotel had this on the buffet line every morning. Mustamakkara is made by mixing pork, pig blood, crushed rye and flour, after which it is stuffed into the intestines of an animal like most sausages.
For dinner I had my usual chicken salad and their chicken salads were very good.
Betsy standing at the entrance to the local high (grades 7 - 12) school.
Gary in one of the typical classrooms.
Getting ready to board the Tammerkoski for a Finnish evening on Viikinsaari Island.
At the restaurant on the island.
Betsy at the train station in Tampere. We are taking the train to Helsinki.
The Church in the Rock, Helsinki. The church opened in 1969. The interior was built directly out of solid rock and used natural light which enters through the top skylights surrounding the center copper dome. The church is located in the heart of Helsinki.
The altar.
The hallway.
Downtown Helsinki in the shopping area.
Natural History Museum.
Olympic Stadium.
Senate Square. Senate Square is part of the oldest part of Helsinki. It was completed in 1822. It now houses the offices of the Prime Minister of Finland and the cabinet.
Streets of Helsinki.
The Harbour. Every morning one boat heads to Sweden and one boat heads to Russia. Both come back at the end of the day daily.
First police car I saw in Finland.
Street dancing at the train station.
Helsinki was very interesting. In Helsinki was stayed at the Hotelli Helka. We were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go. On June 27th we departed Helsinki and had a connecting flight in Chicago. From there we went to XNA in Arkansas.
Tampere Cathedral. The Church of St. John was built in the quarter of Kyttala between 1902 and 1907. The church is built out of natural stone.
Beautiful view of Tampere.
Betsy and Gary atop the Pyynikki Observation Tower in Tampere
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