I left my heart in Helsinki.

So, Meike and I flew to Helsinki (again for me, first time for Meike) with a very early flight. 6:50 am. If you know me you know that i am definintely not a morning person! I am more of the 'go to bed late, sleep in' person.

Anyway, this is the beginning of our trip.

Hei Helsinki!
again - so much forest.

..and water.

... and - SNOW!!

After we arrived the Vorimo's picked us up - the family I had stayed with at my last trip. We threw our suitcases in our rooms and headed for some shopping. First stop was a short visit to the temple - amazing place.

After some shopping and eating - eating is huge in Finnland. Because they have so many nice things to eat. Bread in all kinds, cheese, chocolate and LICORICE. Yummy. When the Prophet dedicated the Finnish temple he spoke at the gala night and said that the Finns have the best licorice. Seer and Revelator. And a man of truth. Amen.

Meike was tired from a busy week and decided to stay at home while I went to a Halloween Party in one of the Helsinki chapels. (Finnland has 5.000 members all in all and Helsinki has 3! wards..) Well, I didn't take a picture of myself but I was dressed as a 'Black Widow'. No, not the spider. An actual widow - all in black with tears rolling down my eyes.. I am not a huge fan of dressing up.. :)

My cousin Marit - the angel.

The party was fun, it was great to get to know more people in Helsinki, to rekindle some old friendships and to dance a little.

Saturday we went to the temple. This time inside. Although it looks like we were just outside for a photo session.

After the temple we met up with Kenneth and walked around the Vorimos place and a lake nearby. Breathtaking. Not because of the cold but because of the beauty. 'There is beauty all around...'

Meike - ready for mischief. I was trying to capture my red face but it didn't quite work. Just imagine it.. It was very cold but also so fresh outside. Awww. Sunday morning speaks for itself. After church we had lunch with my uncles family. Well, the smallest part of it.

Marit and I.
I was tired most of the trip, maybe because my body isn't used to all the fresh air because of the smog in Frankfurt or because it got dark around 4 already. Dunno.

I can't believe how talented my little cousin is. Not only that, she is also very smart and mature for her age.

After lunch we visited my grandma. The funny one with the 'gay-joke'. She is awesome!

So, the silliness runs in the family. And the 'blindness'.

Seriously. (or almost)

On our way home we stopped by at my aunts graveyard. A bit creepy to take a picture of a graveyard you think? Maybe, but it was Allhallows and it was beautifully lit with all the candles. And I wanted to show you how much snow had been falling again.

It was 6° Fahrenheit!

Monday Gretel and Meike were up to no good.

Do you remember this picture from my room at the Vormo's? It was taken 4 weeks ago.

Monday!
Yes, I love snow, it was exciting to see and feel so much snow.

After goofing around Meike and I decided to drive downtown to do some shopping and sightseeing..

We hoped the bus would still come. It did. This is not new for Finnland.

I have been in Finnland many times, also in Helsinki. But we always arrived in Helsinki with the ship and drove to my grandmother so I never really had the chance to see all the architectural beauty in Helsinki. No wonder even a band is called 'Architecture in Helsinki'.

After we walked around a bit we visited my oldest cousin Jose who is the assistant manager of a mexican restaurant. Very delicious food.
Next stop - harbour. Pictures of that later. This is the place around the cathedral.

And this IS the cathedral.

The harbour - how I love it. This is the old 'market hall' right at the harbour. Normally they also have a big market outside of it but not during winter. Although I guess it would be cheap for them. They wouldn't need a fridge for the fish as everything would just stay fresh in the cold temperatures. ;) The other end of the market hall.

Another thing I really love is taking a ship to Sweden or from Sweden to Finnland and sleeping in the cabin. There is something magical about it.

Good bye Helsinki. I love you. See you soon. 'Näkemiin!'