Island in the sun
I like Harry Belafonte, how about you? The title is from one of his hits, such a lovely, sunny song. Belafonte's music always makes me happy, there's such a nice rhythm to it, and he had a great voice.
Anyway, we went to a sunny island today, this one. It was actually quite a hot day, so the weather was perfect for what we did, which was walking around, having a picnic and getting ice cream. Suomenlinna ("Finland's fortress") is an island that's been used for the defense of Helsinki in the past, and there are many ruins there, and some beautifully preserved old houses, where the officers used to live. It's not a big island, but there are several museums and cafés there, and even a church, a small grocery store, a library and a kindergarten. Tourists love it, but so do the native Finns, and for me, it's becoming a summer tradition to go there and just walk around, wondering at the sense of history only a ten minute ferry ride from the Helsinki Market Square. The kids had a good time, playing and running around, and talking about everything they saw. We went inside a fortress, and the kids said it was a little scary, but they managed to overcome their fear and walked bravely holding hands with us adults. They liked the seagulls and Canadian geese, as well. The baby was in a good mood and smiled up at us from her pram. She gets tired easily, with all the excitement of train rides, ferry rides, and meeting old friends, and I think she'll sleep very soundly tonight. I will, too...
I started reading a non-fiction book, A Traveller's History: USA, and it's very interesting. Since I'm European. I learned mostly about European history at school, and I only know the major events in the history of the U.S., with hundreds of years unaccounted for. It's been fascinating to read about how the English settled in America, and I'm getting to the part where they are starting to get fed up with the mother country pressing them for more tax money, although they don't have any real representation. The Boston Tea Party is just about to happen. Do you guys have an interest in the history of your countries, whatever they are? Any particular eras or persons you like to read about? I'm always happy to learn more... See you tomorrow!
Edit: I see that in my eagerness to talk about U.S. past I forgot about U.S. present, so: Happy Fourth of July to all my American readers! Stay safe and have fun!
Anyway, we went to a sunny island today, this one. It was actually quite a hot day, so the weather was perfect for what we did, which was walking around, having a picnic and getting ice cream. Suomenlinna ("Finland's fortress") is an island that's been used for the defense of Helsinki in the past, and there are many ruins there, and some beautifully preserved old houses, where the officers used to live. It's not a big island, but there are several museums and cafés there, and even a church, a small grocery store, a library and a kindergarten. Tourists love it, but so do the native Finns, and for me, it's becoming a summer tradition to go there and just walk around, wondering at the sense of history only a ten minute ferry ride from the Helsinki Market Square. The kids had a good time, playing and running around, and talking about everything they saw. We went inside a fortress, and the kids said it was a little scary, but they managed to overcome their fear and walked bravely holding hands with us adults. They liked the seagulls and Canadian geese, as well. The baby was in a good mood and smiled up at us from her pram. She gets tired easily, with all the excitement of train rides, ferry rides, and meeting old friends, and I think she'll sleep very soundly tonight. I will, too...
I started reading a non-fiction book, A Traveller's History: USA, and it's very interesting. Since I'm European. I learned mostly about European history at school, and I only know the major events in the history of the U.S., with hundreds of years unaccounted for. It's been fascinating to read about how the English settled in America, and I'm getting to the part where they are starting to get fed up with the mother country pressing them for more tax money, although they don't have any real representation. The Boston Tea Party is just about to happen. Do you guys have an interest in the history of your countries, whatever they are? Any particular eras or persons you like to read about? I'm always happy to learn more... See you tomorrow!
Edit: I see that in my eagerness to talk about U.S. past I forgot about U.S. present, so: Happy Fourth of July to all my American readers! Stay safe and have fun!