Helsinki, Finland

I started going to Helsinki, as a result of working for my current company. We had a big project with Nokia, which is headquartered in that city. The funny thing about Finland is that there is only about 5 million people in the whole country. Helsinki is the largest city of the entire country - with only about 600,000 people. Needless to say, the rest of the population is spread out around the rest of the country - which stretches far, far north - covered with nothing but forests ; )

My first trip there was in 2005, and it was in December. Cold doesn't describe it. I've been to Winnipeg in the middle of winter and believe me, Helsinki gives it a good run for its money. I actually bought a "real" coat for the trip. Growing up in California, you just never really had a need for a winter coat. This was a North Face special, so I could endure the Finnish winter.

I found a city that was really pretty. I could walk for miles, as it's mostly flat - but you just start to lose the feeling in your limbs after awhile. I found some really incredible architecture:

St. Nicholas Church

Senate Square

There is a Russian orthodox church in Helsinki, called the Uspenski Church. Given the proximity to Russia and Estonia (just a ferry ride away), it's no surprise:

Uspenski Church

The main area downtown is called The Esplanade - big surprise. In December, it is filled with Christmas booths.

Esplanade at Christmastime

Each booth is selling some type of art/craft or product. I found one that was selling furs. This is the first time I could really understand owning one of these:

Here's where the trip really paid off. I've discovered that several countries in Europe REALLY get into Christmas. Parts of Germany and Norway, for sure. Finland is another place that is AWESOME to go at Christmas time. Because of it's proximity to the North Pole, they really enjoy Christmas. At the esplanade, they had booths with hand-made elves, Santas, angels...you get the picture. The best part is that there are quite a few reindeer in Finland. This adds to the Christmas spirit. I'm happy to report that I actually ate reindeer at one of the local restaurants. You can tell your little kids that "Uncle Diggity" ate Rudolph ; )

In the spring and summer, Finland is also incredible. I found perhaps the largest collection of athletic-minded people ever, during these few warm months. Rollerblading, running, biking, hiking, rowing...it seems that everyone was thinking about staying fit.

Esplanade in the summer

I was able to participate in another popular Finnish sport - shooting guns. Every citizen serves in the military (like Israel) and therefore, there is a general familiarity with weapons. After a business meeting one day, a colleague took a group of us to a shooting range - and there I was, in full business attire, firing a very powerful rifle.

Perfect clothes for shooting

One nice surprise, was finding the LDS Temple in Helsinki. It's actually located in a city adjacent to Helsinki, but with a little determination and some maps, I was able to visit:

Overall, I love the spirit of the Finnish people.  They were very nice to us on several of our visits, and I will always try to repay that kind of kindness.  If I go back - despite how neat Christmas was - I would love to make it in Spring or Fall...and enjoy all of those forests...