And what's going on in Helsinki? (3/5)

Monday, December 4th, 2023

Dude, I love beds. So comfortable, so beautiful. I would love to lie in bed all day, have coffee and breakfast brought to me and then go straight back to sleep.

Puppy cake.

Anyone who travels alone knows that you have to make your own coffee or just get it from somewhere.

Idea of the day: towards the city center / train station. That's probably where the most is.

So coffee – shower – eat yogurt and give it to him.

In fact, I was once tempted to make a list of what you can do in Helsinki.

Among other things, it once said “Skywheel Helsinki”. However, I deleted it again. There are really hotter things than riding a Ferris wheel.

Well, on the way to the train station, I happened to pass the Skywheel and I collapsed. Finally, I still wanted a good view of Helsinki.

The view wasn't bad at all. You definitely don't have to do it, but you can.

Always follow your nose is one of my variable mottos. And so I managed to find the Christmas market.

Perfect. There's something to munch on here. I then treated myself to Reindeer Pie and Gögli (Finnish mulled wine). Awesome, I tell you. Reindeer tastes better than I can ethically justify it.

Have you ever noticed that every city claims to have the most beautiful Christmas market? It feels like every Christmas market has the name “most beautiful Christmas market in Europe”.

The spontaneous fire pits are definitely a huge plus!

When the public fire was no longer enough to warm me, I marched on. On the way I found a designer department store where I cheekily sat down to warm up.

I did feel out of place among all the rich people and designer bags, but it's warm where it's warm.

Namely, to a 3-story building with a fat spiral staircase in the middle. This is nothing less than one of the largest libraries in Helsinki. Also called Oodi.

The first level has a restaurant, seating and chess tables.

The second level is a mix of glass rooms and people sitting all over the floor, creating pure, sorted chaos. There were sewing tables, music rooms and PCs for free use.

Unfortunately, no photos were allowed here and I really wouldn't have managed to take one without being noticed.

The third level was my go to. There was a café and books in all possible languages.

Oodi is absolutely amazing and so is the atmosphere. Then I get the urge to move the center of my life to Helsinki again.

Go on. Where? Who knows.

With the cold, I felt like having a drink.

Quick research: The mysterious Ateljeebar should still be 800 meters next to me.

Today I am wiser. It's supposed to be on the roof of the Hotel Torni, no wonder I missed it.

I found Hotel Torni. Check. Pretty fancy here. Important looking people in suits and obviously there was a dress code.

Whatever. With a bobble hat, bandana and worn, dirty boots, I dared to go in: "Hey, I heard about the Ateljeebar, which is the most awesome in town, is it here?"

The receptionist greeted me beaming. "Thanks a lot, take the elevator next to the stairs, up to the 12nd floor, then take the stairs up to the 13th."

Niiiiice.

I preferred to take the stairs. So I rushed to the first floor and lo and behold: a locked door where you can only get in with a keycard.

Haha, so we went back down and took the elevator.

So, I finally wanted my Finnish fish soup and a decent drink. Arrived at the top, followed the path described and boom, found the bar. Hey, completely different than expected again.

But so beautiful!

There was actually no food here, but the bar looked cool.

So: Gin and Tonic.

Do you know these types of men who aren't men at all? More like bears. If you smiled, it would be teddy bears, if you looked grim, it would be grizzlies.

The barman was definitely one of those people.

Without comment and without batting an eye, he made me the best gin and tonic I'd ever had. Yes, even with cucumber. Looked healthy.

The bar had two huge roof terraces overlooking Helsinki. My absolute lucky day! Both terraces were deserted. So first one, then the other.

FINALLY!

I said goodbye to the bartender with a laugh: "Lucky you, working here"

After a hesitant second, he said again quite dryly, without moving the corners of his mouth: "Could be worse"

Weeeeeeell, ok bye. Just don't lose your smile. A little drunk, I stumbled down the funny spiral staircase.