Packed up what I could this morning. Cleaned up most of the kitchen...cleaned up myself and headed out. Back to Market square, which was a bit more hopping today.
I did a couple of tours round all the stalls before deciding what i wanted to buy. I had been wanting to buy something by Marimekko, but it was all pretty pricey. Of course, none of the clothes fit me and the bags I had looked at were WAY more than I wanted to pay. They are primarily a textile design house, so they sell fabrics by the yard too. Well, one enterprising lady made purses and bags out of it and I found a purse that I liked. The fabric is a heavy upholstery fabric with pink flowers on a dark green (almost black) background in their "Puketti" pattern. She made it in a tote style with an inner zipped pocket and a stiff panel on the bottom so that it holds its shape. I may have to doctor it a bit with some velcro since it only has a single snap closure, but I really like it.
It was really sunny, (relatively) warm, and pretty this morning, but the forecast called for a wintry mix in the afternoon, so I enjoyed the views over the bay while I could. You can see the church/lighthouse from yesterday across on the island, if you look really close (to the right of the building in the center).
This is Helsinki City Hall, which is across the street from Market Square and overlooking the harbor. That is one of the ubiquitous green and yellow trams in front. I think it's the #2.
I started popping in and out of shops and finished most of my shopping. Finland doesn't have much by way of non-cheesy souvenirs except for woolen goods. And those take up a ton of space...and I, personally, don't need many sweaters. I bought the least amount of stuff I've ever gotten in any country I've visited.
But I did get my one big birthday present. Although I'm not really big on Scandinavian design myself, there are some things that I did think were cool. Some of the Marimekko fabric designs are fun and I decided that I loveeeeeeee Aalto vases. Designed by architect Alvar Alto and his wife Aino in 1936, this vase has become an icon of Finnish design. I decided I needed one. They are still being produced by the Finnish glass company Iittala, and they have a store on the main upscale shopping drag....so in I went.
By dumb luck, they have a special Finnish Anniversary Edition of the vase that is available only this year (the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence) in my favorite color blue glass. It was a gottabuy. I am having it shipped to me in Texas so that it doesn't get busted on the flight home...but this is what it looks like. *
While I was filling out paperwork and paying, it started to sleet. It came down quite briskly...luckily I brought an umbrella (because I had checked the forecast) as it hadn't let up at all when I left the store.
The tables along the street that were filed with people drinking coffee just hours earlier were deserted and covered in ice pellets...
Popped into one last shop until it let up and I headed back to the apartment...where I am now. I was thinking of going out for one last Finnish meal, but I'm not sure anymore. Let's see how late it is after I finish packing.
I'm definitely glad I came here and got to experience some Nordic culture. I am VERY glad to have discovered creamy salmon soup. There are a few things I am sad to have missed...the Sibelius Monument and the ferry to Tallinn, but I don't think that's enough to bring me back here. However, Norway or Sweden may call my name at some point.
*Edited to add: Each Aalto vase is hand blown in Finland. I did search for photos of a factory tour, so I could see one being made and found a couple of good photos HERE.
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