Last night's boat was the best yet. It was a regular cruise ship, and crowded with merry makers of a multitude of nationalities. I've stopped trying to distinguish Finnish from Swedish, but I could detect Russian whereever I went. The ship was 12 floors, the 7th a grand Promenade with ceiling open to the 12th floor and glass elevators, and restaurants and shops lining the way. Swanky! There was a string quartet playing along the row, and even a tightrope act above the promenade(which I bet doesn't do very well in rough seas!).
I roomed with a young Russian woman, just graduated college, and two other ladies. The young woman spoke exceptional English, and we really hit it off, having a love for travel in common. Underway, she and I visited the sauna onboard, to take the chill off our weary bones. I was overdressed in my bathing suit, but it felt so wonderful to be warm (hot even). Everyone was congenial and relaxed and contented (or maybe that was just me), and the experience was unmatched. In the evening I hung out at an Irish pub on the Promenade and listened to a Swedish guitar player belt out accustic versions of Rolling Stones, Simon & Garfunkle, the Beetles, and the Beach Boys hits. Classic.
And now I am in Finland! A light snow was falling as we docked and I checked into the posh Hotel Haven. They admitted me to my room immediately, and I spent nearly half an hour under the shower, feeling clean for the first time in days. I had decided this place would be a rest stop, and after wandering the streets for a bit I put myself to bed and slept for hours. Everything in Helsinki is terribly expensive-- my dinner not excluded-- but I am wonderfully contented with a belly filled with steamed vegetables, mushroom stuffed cabbage rolls, and vanilla ice cream :-)
Thank you again for the notes and reminders of home. I love you all so much and am dragging you along to all the tourist spots with me in my heart. I am taking tons of photos but haven't found a place yet to send them. I will keep looking :-)
Love T
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I told Bopcha that you think cruising is quite nice. Of course, I was struck by your comment about being over dressed in your bikini (gulp!!?) If I remember correctly, you were getting a string bikini anyway, so I can only conclude the other folk were wearing....nothing! EEEek. That sounds SO European. It sure sounds like you are having fun--and I'm glad you are aware that you are dragging the rest of the family along with you. Can't WAIT so see the pictures, but in the meantime, the verbals are very satisfying. Today, we are having a super bowl party--the house is all clean. Aren't visitors a great motivator?
ReplyDeleteTory - I'm wondering if you've run into the same tourist more than once? I'm thinking that sometimes on a long drive, I'll pass a certain car more than once over a period of a day or two. So my theory is there's a certain rhythm to travel that would facilitate running into the same person/group repeatedly. Maybe not....love mother on a snowy morning (makes us think of you shivering up in those cold climes...brrrrr)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you should mention it, I have seen the same tourists more than once! But so far, only within the same city. Lisbon in particular, there were a few of us going to the same sites in succession -- following the order they were published in our tourist pamphlets :-) Have fun with your Superbowl party! Have Dad set aside some of his special chili for me for when I return!
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