Helsinki

Whilst stopovers sometimes are purely a logistical hassle my forced day in Helsinki was definitely one to be excited about. Checked luggage at the airport is a luxury not always available so was definitely taken advantage of! I love Finland. Unlike most European cities if you don’t speak the local language then some communication can be quite the conundrum. Not here, you get the best of both worlds. The culture, food and people are what one would expect being Europe but not the hassle as most people one needs to engage with speak English with surprising ease. This city, was not made for ankle socks, distressed jeans and mitten less hands. I should know better. Having had one summer in 13 years I know cold and you would expect how to avoid it! I nosied around the Christmas markets filled with local delicacies, reindeer souvenirs and homemade knits selecting gifts those I was about to visit. Overall I was happy enjoying myself and trying to believe that I was actually in Helsinki! Travelling by oneself opens up boundless possibilities and as I have travelled more by myself and grown more game I have enjoyed the benefits. Choosing where to go and when without compromise has its benefits but it also has meant meeting streams of interesting people. From airports, ski lifts and restaurants, sitting by yourself means you often end up chatting to people with very different backgrounds. I think I’ll have chat about people soon as there are so many different people with interesting stories to tell.