Helsinki, Finland

The daily flight from Copenhagen to Helsinki usually arrives in Finland at 11:30 at night but my plane was running 45 minutes late.  This made me a little nervous since the hostel I booked closes check-in at 1:00am so I was cutting it a bit close.  Fortunately there were several of us on the flight all headed to the same hostel so I figured they wouldn't leave us all out in the cold.  Although the hostel was a long walk from the city center, it has to be the cleanest place I have stayed in a while.  It was also pretty special because the rooms are located inside the 1952 Olympic Stadium!

Ben Liuzzi let me join Crossfit Central Helsinki for a Saturday morning session which was so fun!  It was gymnastics day so the workout was filled with somersaults, bridges and handstands.  The best part though had to be learning to rope climb.  Thanks everyone for your patience and advice!

Spent the rest of Saturday walking around town being a tourist.  Helsinki reminded me of how tired I am of cold Scandinavian winters!  My weekend in Finland was filled with negative temperatures, frozen lakes and SNOW.  Beyond ready for a beach vacation!

On my way to the airport on Sunday I stopped at the Helsinki Winter Gardens.  It was wonderful to see so much color inside when the outdoors was just a sea of white!

Now time for laundry and packing because in less than 12 hours I am back at the airport.  Here I come Ireland!

COUNTDOWN...

Two more hours of class and then Spring Break begins!  I am heading to Helsinki, Finland for the weekend and then am off to Ireland Monday morning.  My plan is to leave my phone and computer at home so don't expect to hear from me for the next nine days!  Happy Easter!   

Food Carts

If you leave Europe without eating from a food cart, you have definitely done something wrong!  

HOT DOG STAND HEADING INTO TOWN 

The owner of a street food business must WALK on the MAIN ROAD (not a bike lane or sidewalk) to a busy street corner in Copenhagen when transporting their food cart.  I laugh every time I see someone walking their mobile restaurant through town, although it's not too funny when I am stuck in traffic behind one while on the bus! The best part is the person walking the food cart down the street is required to have a license to drive.  Really!? 

Cycling through Europe

RUSH HOUR IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

RENTED BIKE IN HEERENVEEN, NETHERLANDS 

COUNTRY RIDE IN GROßHANSDORF, GERMANY

Jurahuset

My grandpa swears that all I do is travel through Europe and is always asking whether I am actually taking classes in Copenhagen.  This photo is for you Grandpa.  JURAHUSET-- That's "law library" in Danish and this is where I spent the afternoon today.

But now that I got some work done, it's time to pack up and head to Oma and Opa Pollmann's house in Großhansdorf, Germany for five days.  Can't wait for some relaxing "family" time with Tom & Julie's grandparents!  

Feeling Loved!

Such a surprise to get a notice from the post office regarding another package sent from the USA!  THANK YOU KING FAMILY!  I have honestly never seen a box stuffed with so many fun things....a scarf, gloves, socks, bowls, spice packets for dinners, coffee, candy, hair accessories, NAIL POLISH!  You guys are truly wonderful for thinking of me while I am away!  THANK YOU!

Josh Wood in Holland

One quick thing about the USA-- I met a Dutch girl in Amsterdam and she said she fell in love with America after watching a few of our tv shows (Jersey Shore, Real Housewives, etc.).  Let's just say I have never been so embarrassed for America.....

Had the best time seeing Josh Wood in Europe AGAIN, this time in Holland!  I took a Saturday afternoon train from Amsterdam into Heerenveen, the birthplace of speed skating.  After a long hike to Thialf, the ice skating rink, I got to spend some time watching the US skaters practice both on and off the ice.  We then headed back to the hotel for an athlete’s buffet dinner complete with white tablecloths and candlelight!  My favorite part of the night was renting a bike to take into the city center.  Josh did all the work (he peddled) and I just sat on the back enjoying a nighttime tour of the town!  Nice to see the “skater bar” complete with old ice skates hanging from every part of the ceiling!  

Josh on the ice...every picture I have is just a blur!

"Skater Bar"