Homework

Familiar Kuopio

We are back in Kuopio, and we appreciate how familiar it all feels.  The weather has turned a bit cooler - it feels like Fall.  We made the rounds of second-hand stores and flea market stalls yesterday in honor of "Cleaning Day."  We found boots and winter coats for Liz and Anna, and I almost found a perfect raincoat. We enjoyed the walk to and from "Keskusta" = "city center."

Market Square and the Zoo!

Thursday morning found three Bertone-Johnsons (James, Annabelle, and myself) wishing Liz was with us as we explored the Market Square.  We picked up a few souvenirs, and rode the FinnAir SkyWheel.

 The walls are translucent blue, so the photos are as well.

Liz finished up her orientation in the early afternoon, and we ALL met up for a trip to the Zoo!  We took a ferry out to the island on which the zoo was built, and the two families had a wonderful time exploring together.  

 Henderson/Sims and Bertone-Johnsons in Helsinki

 Mamma leopard and her baby were playing (and chasing a bird).

 The layout of the zoo took full advantage of the terrain.

 Bored bear.

 Wayfinding! (Some of you will appreciate this).

 Peacock . . .

. . . and as Mark deemed them - "Chickpeas!"

We said goodbye to the Henderson/Sims as they headed out on Friday to Southern England.  We enjoyed their company in Helsinki and appreciate that they included us in their adventures.  It was great to have such wonderful traveling companions - if however briefly.

We boarded our OnniBus back to Kuopio and enjoyed a cozy ride through the rain.

Suomenlinna

Yesterday we spent much of the day at Suomenlinna, a 17th-20th century fortress and World Heritage Site.  The fortress has been re-purposed in part and largely remains intact.  There are several museums in old fort buildings, a theater, several cafes, a market, shops, and many WCs (some built into old fort tunnels).  

We especially enjoyed views of the Baltic and exploring the many tunnels that remain open to the public.  

We felt like we had unprecedented access to such a wonderful, historic site.  It was beautiful, and we had a great time exploring.

In addition to the fortress, we enjoyed a Finnish Antique Toy Museum . . .

. . . and the Submarine Vesikko.

It was difficult to imagine 20 crew-members spending weeks on end in this space together.  I understand a bit better, the bond that my grandfather (Captain John Keith Leasure (1920-2001)) must have had with the sailors of the USS Rock.

Suomenlinna is on a series of four islands connected to each other by bridges.  We enjoyed the ferry boat to and from the main island.

Waiting for the tram.

On our way for more Helsinki sightseeing soon.

Seurasaari Folison & U.S. Embassy

The kids and I joined the Henderson/Sims on a tour of Seurasaari Folison, an  outdoor architectural history museum. We saw original homes, churches, windmills, boats, and sheds - all relocated to the island for display.

We took turns in the leg stocks in front of the church . . .

. . .and I was intrigued by the array of small homes, use of space, and woodwork - great tiny house ideas!

In the afternoon I met up with Liz for a reception at the U.S. Embassy, where she and her cohort of Finnish Fulbright fellows were honored. I'm certainly a proud "grantee spouse!"

Blog photos?

I'm not sure why the last photos didn't post. I'll work on that. In the meantime here is one from Helsinki.

Puijon Torni

On Sunday morning, we all went for a hike up to Puijon Torni.  We were rewarded by a surprise - Summer Ski Jumping!

The true pay-off was the view atop Puijon Torni from the observation deck . . .

. . . and a trip to the cafe.

Now we are off on OmniBus to Helsinki for Liz's Fulbright orientation and to meet up with travelling friends, the Henderson-Sims.

Sightseeing Cruise

On Saturday evening we enjoyed a two-hour sightseeing cruise on M/S Ukko so that we could experience more of the lake first hand.  We enjoyed seeing many summer cottages, boats, birds, and a small ferry boat.  It was a bit chilly in the wind, but the setting sun felt nice and provided me with the opportunity to take a few Kuopio, skyline photographs.

We enjoyed our trip and caught the #5 Bus back to Puijonlaakso.

View from Puijon Torni

We walked up to Puijon Torni yesterday. We were rewarded by this view and summer ski jumping!

Wild Raspberries!

We've seen the same two plants along the edges of the paths we walk regularly:  Stinging Nettles & Wild Raspberries.  We've experienced both.  We prefer the raspberries.

We are just about one week in to our time in Finland, and I’ve decided it’s time for a more substantial update.  We are all doing quite well and enjoying our new city - Kuopio!  We arrived last Sunday to a small hotel room with our six large suitcases and four exhausted Bertone-Johnsons.  After a four-hour nap we walked into the city to check it out.  Kuopio is absolutely beautiful and easy to navigate by foot and by bus (our only modes of travel while here, so that’s good).

We quickly found french fries for the kids (and adults) and ventured around one of the city lakes by foot.  We found ice cream and then headed back to the room for a solid night’s sleep.

More walking around the city followed.  The kids started school on Tuesday and are adjusting remarkably well.  Annabelle is building courage to accept the school rule that everyone must try everything at lunch (free hot lunch provided to all students), and James is trying to wrap his head around French class taught in Finnish.  Otherwise, they are loving their new school and taking it all in stride.

Liz has started her work at the University and is getting the hang of her new Finnish schedule.  She enjoys a 20 minute walk from our apartment to her office and expects to have ample time for research while also getting to teach a few condensed classes in Women’s Health and Nutritional Epidemiology.

I am enjoying walking everywhere and that our apartment is 10 minutes from school and only 15 minutes from two markets.  I’m also exploring the incredible system of pedestrian paths so that I can see as much of the Kupio landscape as possible in the three-hours I have between dropping the kids off at school and picking Annabelle up.

Anna and I have made a routine of going to the market in the time between her dismissal and James’s.  Our apartment does not have a freezer, so we are forced to quickly embrace marketing every day or two.  I’m using Google Translate to check ingredients on everything we buy, and when Google gets it right (Finnish is tough for Translate as well), I’m able to find what we need.

This morning I “trekked” up to see Puijon Torni.  We are living in the valley below, “Puijonlaasko,” and are only an invigorating 25 min walk to the top.  I will look forward to many return trips up the hundreds of stairs as part of my fitness routine.  I had to make way for several locals running the stairs this morning - an impressive feat.

After retrieving both kids from school, the three of us will spend time at the lake shore and will meet up with Liz for our first full weekend in Kuopio.  We’re off to a good start!!