Embassy Helsinki

Since starting my internship a few weeks ago, I’ve spent a lot of time doing things with an “r” theme: reading, research, reports, relationship building and navigating, reflecting, a little restraint, and racking my brain for ideas and answers. 

Cajun crayfish - photo courtesy of DipBlog

I recently added ‘riting to this list of internship themes as a contributor to Embassy Helsinki’s DipBlog.  The task was to explain traditional/typical American 4th of July festivities.  This felt quite strange since the Embassy was preparing to celebrate Independence Day with a large party one week in advance of the actual holiday in order to accommodate the Finnish midsummer holiday and vacation schedules.  Furthermore, hundreds of guests, including Finnish celebrities and many diplomats, were expected (and did) to attend the party – not my typical 4th of July crowd.  And, instead of hotdogs, hamburgers, and fireworks, there would be unlimited Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and thousands of crayfish (aka crawfish) prepared by a renowned Louisiana chef. 

In crafting this short DipBlog piece, I thought about the significance of hotdogs, hamburgers, and fireworks and what it would be like to have a 4th of July party that wasn’t on the 4th and the absence of these customary American Independence Day symbols.  An excerpt of the post is below. 

Celebrating the 4th of July is an all-day event where people get together with their family, friends and neighbors.  My fondest memories are of celebrations with my family and millions of other Americans in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall.  But, whether you’re celebrating in a small town in Middle America or in the nation’s capital, the day usually starts with a parade, complete with student marching bands, military troops, dancers, costumes and floats.  People are enthusiastically patriotic, often dressed from head to toe in red, white and blue and waving small American flags...

Renny Harlin & Deckard - photo courtesy of DipBlog

Admittedly, the resulting blog is a bit cheesy and nostalgic.  Yet, after reflecting on the party, I think the same sense of camaraderie that I’ve often felt while celebrating the 4th of July the “traditional” way was still in the air.  The party was fun, different and the guests (me included) seemed to really enjoy themselves. 

While the Embassy is doing important work, it’s not always as glamorous or exciting as an atypical 4th of July party.  And, there’s a lot of on-the-job learning that may not always fit with my specific interests.  However, there are sure to be more extraordinary moments along the way, which brings me to another theme to set the tone for the remaining two months of my internship in Finland: being game for anything and going along for the ride. 

Mr. Amerikka

Perhaps I should have anticipated this not-so-profound revelation after my unique introduction to the Ambassador via this cover story that appeared in the Kuukausiliite (the monthly supplement to Finland’s newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat) days before I started my internship.  

I definitely wasn’t expecting to see the Ambassador to Finland shirtless before meeting him in person (or ever).  But, I also didn’t expect to rip apart crayfish with my hands and suck juice out of their heads alongside Finnish dignitaries and diplomats from around the world. 

Suomenlinna

An early release from work on Thursday kicked off great holiday weekend!  The fun began with a trip to the beloved market with Johanna to buy fresh cherries, strawberries, and peas for a picnic at Suomenlinna, the fortress island just off the coast of Helsinki.  

After eating a traditional (and extremely greasy) Finnish meat pie in the market (which I'm not likely to eat again), we took a short ferry ride to the Suomenlinna.  The fortress island is actually a chain of six small islands with the purpose of defending Sweden from Russia back in the day when Finland was still part of Sweden. 

Lighthouse church

Then, we toured the islands, walking along the cobble stone paths, viewing the (formerly ornate Orthodox but now renovated and quite modest looking) lighthouse church, and running into numerous geese in search of the perfect picnic spot.  Once settled upon a big rock on the island's cliff side, we indulged in all of our market produce plus a gigantic cinnamon bun, rhubarb juice, and a nice bottle of vino.

Though the picnic was part of the day's plan all along, the temperature in Helsinki finally reached 70 degrees on Thursday, which was really cause to celebrate! So, we sat, ate, drank, and people & boat watched for a few hours while enjoying the warmth of the sun until heading back to the city on the ferry...   

'Tis the Season

I recognize that I have many privileges living in the United States, one being the ability to get practically all types of produce at any time of year.  Avocados and strawberries in the winter?  No problem.  But, this isn't the case in Finland.  

Since arriving in Finland, I've heard a lot about the wonderful seasonal Finnish fruits and vegetables that are only available during the summer months.  During the first two weeks, outdoor markets began advertising their Finnish produce.  As the days go by, more and more grocery stores and fruit stands are proudly selling homegrown cucumbers, tomatoes, and potatoes and the consumers are clearly in a frenzy for these fresh foods.  As I've started to buy and taste the Finnish fruits and vegetables, I have to admit: the hype is worth it (even if I still find humor in the uncontainable excitement for "new" potatoes)!

Tonight's dinner included a salad with lettuce freshly picked from the garden at my Kulosaari home, a gigantic Finnish cucumber - one of the largest I have seen and also adorned with a lovely Finnish flag on the plastic packaging, and perfectly ripe Finnish tomatoes.  The meal didn't include Finnish feta, brie or prosciutto, but the results were just as tasty it looks!

And now, I'm eagerly awaiting the ripening of Finnish blueberries and raspberries!

On another note, this post is dedicated to Johanna.  Though it may not feel like summer to me, 'tis the season and she does her best to indulge me in summer-like activities, including dinner on the patio (despite wearing many layers and keeping a scarf nearby, just in case).

Daddy-O

Happy Father's Day to my loving and supportive dad who can always entertain me!

Postcard from Helsinki

While searching for fun things to do in Helsinki, I read about a new outdoor art installation near the Senate Square.  This weekend, I stopped by to snap a photo.  The idea is that the installation can serve as a backdrop for a postcard which people (presumably tourists, including me!) can pose in front of and express their love for the city.  Though I didn't strike a pose, I did snap a couple of photos.   

The installation is directly across from the Helsinki Cathedral, one of the city's famous landmarks and a popular tourist spot (note the numerous tourist buses below).  I love walking through the Senate Square and I'm determined to sit on the cathedral stairs on a warm sunny day and enjoy an ice cream this summer!  Notice how the top half of the stairs look much nicer than the bottom - they're in the process of being cleaned, section by section! 

Helsinki Cathedral

Tourists galore!

Hej George!

Per your request: one photo of Johanna and me. 

Johanna's kitchen

Not yet summer?

Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, oh my!

There are many things that I'm growing to love about summer in Helsinki.  The days are long and you can feel the energy of people when you're out and about that are also relishing the seemingly never ending hours of daylight.  The public transportation is easy to use and makes the entire city accessible.  Fruit stands are scattered all throughout downtown, making it easy to catch a whiff of fresh Finnish strawberries.  Flowers are abundant and in all sorts of colors.  The trees and the grass are a vibrant green.  There's a sea breeze and numerous islands scattered along the coast.  

Gulf of Finland

The thing is, however, it doesn't always feel like summer.  Tourists definitely don't flock to Finland to work on their tans and I knew that this is what I signed up for when I prepared to spend three months in a Nordic country (even if those three months are June, July and August).  In the past two weeks since my arrival, I've worn more long-sleeved shirts than short-sleeved shirts, but packed more short-sleeves than long-sleeves.  I've worn fleece jackets and scarves almost daily.  And, my flip flops have yet to make contact with Finnish ground. 

Esplanade

The calendar says its June 16, which says summer to me.  But, the temperature has yet to exceed 65 degrees, which says spring or fall or winter in Texas.  And, if the current forecast for the rest of the month is accurate, the temperature will only reach 69 degrees during the last week of June, again not an indicator of summer.  To further complicate things, the American calendar tells me that the first day of summer is just right around the corner - June 21 - while the Finnish calendar indicates that Midsummer is on June 23.  So, its simultaneously summer and not summer.  

But, regardless of the temperature on the thermostat and the date on the calendar, there are those moments (even if brief) when the sun is shining intensely and you feel the warmth on your face, that it finally feels like summer in Suomi.