Life in Helsinki
I have just reached the city of Helsinki. I’ll stay in Helsinki, Finland for three weeks and in Netherlands for four weeks for my work starting today.
It’s a great challenge for me because I have never been abroad over 10 years and I’ll live alone for the first time. I’m not sure how I can speak English.
I’ll try to write about the impression of the two countries while I compare them to Japan.
This is a great cathedral of Helsinki which is the starting point of my new journey.
This place is very clean and quietly. I’ll not forget spirit of challenge.
On the other hand, I recieved a letter from my daughters when I left for Helsinki.
It said, “Please take care and come back home as soon as possible.” I remembered that they were crying.
It reminded me of how precious they are to me.
Northern Europe is very nice and peaceful, as I remember it. I haven’t been in Helsinki per se, but closer to the Arctic Circle and people were always very nice. I think you’ll have a good time there and then go back to see your family before you know it
As for your English, I wouldn’t worry: it’s actually very good!
I look forward to read about your adventures over there!
Thank you for your comment. That’s encouraging. I’ll explore the town as much as possible and share them.
Sounds like an adventure. Your English is very good. You will be fine.. There is a saying that is very true…”absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Thank you.I’ll try to do my best and stay safe for my family.
Awww – your children will really miss you! I can’t imagine being away for that long from mine.
Great picture of the cathedral!
Maybe so. I hope that they will enjoy your daily life.
You’ll be away from almost two months?
Your daughters must’ve been missing you already.
Yes, it’s hard for us but it may be a good chance to think about our bond.
cette cathédrale est magnifique
Thank you so much.
Your adventure in Finland sounds so great. I do not know what You are seeking in Finland and where You are going to visit, but there will be great places to be seen, be sure.
One excellent site for study of Finland to get better ideas is my photo blog. I know that it is selfish to say so but it is the fact. If You want see special architect, art, special museums whatever, You’ll find them in my blog.
I show to You one example from my photo blog that You believe me:
Castle of St. Olof in summer and in winter including ice carvings
I wish to You a very happy stay in Finland! ようこそ
Oh, you live in Finland. Thank you for stopping by. Actually, I’m doing research for housing of the elderly. I heard that those housing and Finish policy for elderly is great and I’ll learn them a lot. Thank you for your support. I rode on Finair.
So you are in Finland right now, that must be so interesting for you. I wish you a nice time there, please write about what you find different from your own country, it is always interesting to read about. You are close to Denmark now, so don´t forget to let me know if you visit Copenhagen. I´d like to add that Sartenada´s has a very nice and informative blog,- I follow it from my other and more personal wordpress blog “my2008blog”. Take care.
Thank you. Of course, I’ll let you know when I visit Denmark.
Firstly I was thinking about visiting Denmark because the country is also welfare state.
Happy travels! You will have so much to share with your girls when you get home. Enjoy every moment.
Many thanks. I’ll share them as much as possible.
You’ll go to the Netherlands? You’ll be in my motherland?! OK, well, grandmotherland.
I’m quite sure you won’t have problems with English!
Travel safely, enjoy your time, take many photos, buy lots of presents for your family and have some “spekulaas” on my behalf when you’re in Holland! ^^
Thank you so much. I didn’t know that your motherland is the Netherlands.
There are great architecture both in Finland and Netherlands. I’ll enjoy them.
Hi there!!!! WELCOME TO HELSINKI!!! I hope you have a wonderful time here and let me know if you have any questions during your trip. I think your girls might like the Moomin toys
Enjoy and I hope you bring home warm memories. Sharon
Oh, I forgot that you live in Finland. I’m very lucky to know you. If I have a question, I’ll ask you soon. Thanks.
Hi again Cocomino! I hope you’ve been enjoying your stay in Helsinki so far. The weather has been lovely and I hope you get a chance to do some sightseeing in your free time. I do not know your plans but would you like that my family and I take you for a day outing to the nearby town of Porvoo next weekend (either Saturday or Sunday 15 or 16 Sept?) The town is a charming place and listed under the UNESCO heritage site. It is one of our favourite places to visit. Let me know if you are interested or send me your email address and we can be in touch. Take care and have a wonderful day!
Sharon
Thanks again. I’ll mail you soon.
Good luck with your work overseas. It must be hard to be away from the family but a great new experience being in another country.
Thank you so much. I think that this experience will strengthen our bond.
Welcome in Europe Cocomino ! Hope you will have a great stay in Finland !
Thank you so much. I’m also looking forward to visiting the Netherlands.
Have a great time there. I have only been in the Helsinki airport, but I’d love to explore Scandinavia sometime.
Thanks. I heard that people in Scandinavia are happy. I’ll find the reason during the trip.
ああ、今フィンランドで単身赴任しているんですね！
今年の１月、フィンランドに遊びに行きました。
その時、雪がたくさん降りましたね。
白いヘルシンキ、とても印象的でしたね。
ヘルシンキでも最近、雪が降ったと聞きました。寒いのは苦手ですけど家の中は二重扉などでけっこうあたたかいです。
You are suddenly in Helsinki, that is not so far away, Cocomino. I hope you’ll enjoy your stay and not miss your family too much. And your english is great, maybe just need some practice talking which you will get now. Don’t do as the finish and drink too much vodka…
Thank you. If I have more time, I also want to visit Norway.
I think that it’s important to speak a lot for improving English.
As all the comments agree, your English is excellent. These days, we have many different forms of communicating so I hope you are able to stay close with your family even if you are far away. I know this is for work, but enjoy your trip and I am sure it will be a wonderful experience.
Many thanks. I’ll use skype to communiate with my family.
This experience is a great chance to know about the other country much more.
What a lovely picture your daughters painted for you! Safe and happy travels, I’m sure you will enjoy the cities – I don’t know helsinki but I’ve often travelled to the Netherlands and enjoued it immensely
Thank you. I’m glad to hear that. The Netherlands also sounds interesting country. Looking forward to visiting the country.
Welcome to the North, Cocomino! Enjoy your stay. You’re not so far away from us now!
Stay safe, and don’t worry about your English!
Hugs from Sweden
Thank you very much. I’m really glad to hear that. I wish that I could also visit Sweden.
Good luck Cocomino! Enjoy the experience and don’t worry about your English, is perfect!
Many thanks. I hope that I’ll be able to communicate with people in Finland.
A great opportunity for you. The art from your daughters is so pretty and filled with love
Thank you. I think so. It’s precious.
Just popped in to say good luck. Sounds like a great opportunity, even though that drawing tugs at the heart strings.
Thank you. That’s true. It’s a great chance even if there is a small problem.
How exciting! I look forward to hearing how it goes. All the very best!
Thank you. I’ll do my best for work.
Exciting weeks ahead…Helsinki is a lovely city!! Before you know it you’ll be back home with family!!
Maybe so. There are many good places where I want to go.
Your English is great, don’t worry about it! Good luck with your work! Also try to have fun and visit a lot of places. *^v^*
Many thanks. I’ll visit many places including sight seeing spots as much as possible.
Wishing you many cool adventures during your work assignment abroad. Hopefully it will go by fast so you can be with your family again. During these times, thank goodness for technology to keep us in contact with our loved ones.
I worked in the Netherlands before, but I have never been to Finland.
Thank you so much I’ll use skype soon, It’s so useful that we can keep us in contact. Both countries are new to me.
Hi Cocomino,
Hope you are enjoying Finland. I would like to visit there too.
As for English, you will get used to it. When I visit Japan, my Japanese feels very awkward and slow but after a few weeks I get used to it. Same thing.
That’s great Your Japanese is more natural than you think. I hope that I’ll speak English well.
Ha ha ha, exposure is the key. This is a great opportunity, so enjoy!
Thanks again. I think that all Japanese will be able to speak English if we speak a lot. I understood that.
I know you will miss your family while you are away from home but it is a great opportunity for you. I am sure your English will be fine.
Thank you. That’s true. I’ll do my best. Have a nice day.
Happy travel and enjoyable days in Finland dear Cocomino. This is one of my blogger friends’ blog, maybe you know her, dear Debra, I hope this web site can be nice for your days in there,
http://beautifulhelsinki.wordpress.com/
Thank you, Blessing and Happiness, love, nia
Thank you so much. I didn’t know that blog. It’s very interesting and beautiufl.
Thanks.
I visited Finland some years back. It’s a great place: lots to see and explore. Best wishes for your sojourn.
Thanks. I also think that this is a nice place. Have a great day.
I wish you a good journey and adventure. At least we are in a time where communicating with loved ones is only a phone call or email away. I will look forward to reading about your travels.
Many thanks. I just talked with my family through skype. It’s a good tool.
Precious daughterly love you carry in your heart as you work in Helsinki and in the Netherlands.
Indeed. Since they are precious, I’ll work hard.
Thank you.
Your English will be even better after these weeks in Finland and the Netherlands!
I loved Helsinki, it was so interesting in every way! And so clean, and the architecture so pleasing. I am sure it will be helpful in your work. Enjoy it all, you will bring home wonderful stories and photographs and memories to your family.
Thank you so much. I hope so.
Certainly, I’m finding many things every day and moment. It sounds to take a long time to share that.
I have never been to Europe, so I’m looking forward to hearing what you think about your stay there! I imagine you must be excited about this visit, too… although I can imagine it must be incredibly difficult to be away from your family (especially for so long) at the same time…
Many thanks. That’s true. I’m always excited during the stay but I’m worried about my family.
That’s dilenmma.
letter from your daughters when you left for Helsinki: I hope they can read your travel diaries …
Sure. They can see my diaries at least related photos.
If you have plans to drop by in Norway, particularly Bergen, do tell me! I’ll be your personal tour guide!
Thank you! I’m really glad to hear that. Norway must also be cool.
Enjoy your time there!
Thank you so much. I’m enjoying all of them.
Aw, cute drawing. ^^
Have a safe trip! Enjoy, eh?
Thank you. My daughter will be happy to hear it.
Oh, your wife and your daughters must miss you so much!!! How lovely the drawing is! I wish you a safe and happy journey!
Maybe so. It’s really precious drawing and I have it now.
Three weeks in Finland and four weeks in Netherland sounds nice. My husband once stayed in Germany for three weeks, which he recalls a good experience. Not separated for a long long time but reasonable time, the bond of family will get stronger by thinking about each other. Enjoy your overseas work, and leisure time as well.
Yoko
I see. Germany is next to the Netherlands.
I also think that we’ll rethink about the bond of family because of the trip.
Best of luck with your European adventure!
Thank you! Glad to hear that.
Welcome to Europe… relax, enjoy, meet people and have fun!
New cultures are always an excellent adventure
Thank you for your comment. Every things are fun for me. It’s a great adventure.