Notes from around the world

This stall sells chicken, beef and pork. Not sure how they managed to collect all these notes. I found a Singapore $2 note. Is your country's note there?

Outside the Hakaniemi Market

In summer and late spring, the terrace space is open for a nice cup of coffee in the sun. This is next to Hakaniemi Market.

Hakaniemi Market

Hakaniemi Market has a mix of poultry, vegetable, fruit and dry food stuff shops. I visit this market at least once a month to get my supply of meat. The Finnish lamb available from here is good.

Kaivopuisto 4

JIMTV

Interesting ad for a TV channel JIM.

Kaivopuisto 3

Another place not in use. These toilets are always shut. If someone needs the loo in the park, there is a coin - operated cubicle about 100m from here.

Kaivopuisto 2

Haven't seen this stage in use at all. Weird to have such a place in the middle of a park.

Kaivopuisto 1

Kaivopuisto playground. No kids around as it was taken on a weekday at about 1pm.

Accident

A very bad accident this morning beside Pasila train station. Not sure if anyone was hurt. The red van was only towed away at 5pm. Here's the state of that van.

Pasila's Outdoor Gallery 2

This is the second piece that she was working on. I got to speak to her and she told me that it takes her about 12hours to complete one piece.

Pasila's Outdoor Gallery 1

Viva Granlund is a visual artist who has done numerous paintings and murals. At the moment, she is at work in Pasila train station. This is just one of the 21 pieces she will be painting at the station. This is a finished work.

Vappu 6

One more photo for Vappu. There was a demostration called 'Free Helsinki'. It had something to do with public transport. Well, i'm not very sure. Anyway the patrol car and some policeman were clearing the way for the demostration truck to pass.

This road is just next to the capped Havis Amanda statue. Just look at the rubbish!!!

Vappu 5

Kuusamon Muikut = Kuusamo's Vendace. Fried vendace is a very popular dish here and is usually sold in market places like this. Here the fish is also served with salad and potatoes or just alone.

Back to school after a long weekend of playing Packrat on Facebook. Two more weeks of school and it's the holidays. :) can't wait ...

Vappu 4

No celebration is complete without balloons.

Vappu 3

May Day continues. This is Senate Square where most of the university groups like to gather, chat and have fun.

Theme Day: Numbers

It's the 1st of the Month and May's theme is Numbers. Since it is May Day, it is only appropriate to have a mayday photo... Here's my choice, Bike 470.

Biker 470 waved at us. This was taken yesterday at the Market Square in Helsinki during the May Day Celebrations. My friends and I were about to cross the street when we saw these cops in the middle of the street. We stopped and clicked. The cops saw us and waved back to us! :)

May Day is huge here and there were a lot of policemen patrolling the streets in every nook and cranny. People are allowed to drink on the streets here and walk around with their beer bottles. Littering and peeing on the side of streets is pretty common. No arrests for these kind of incidents, the police are more concerned with aggresive behaviour and under-aged drinking.
Get evil for Vappu, but don’t forget your coat! ( Must read about May Day Celebrations here!)

Have a look at the 180 other blogs participarting in this month's theme.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chesapeake Daily Photo (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Chicago (IL), USA by Focused Light, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Concordia Sagittaria, Italy by Patrizia, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Dallas (TX), USA by turtle, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Mary, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hong Kong, Hong Kong by Rachel A., Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Ioannina, Greece by Christos-Ioanna, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Malaga, Spain by Paula, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Medan, Indonesia by KT, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Montpellier, France by Marie, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, North Hampton (NH), USA by Amy, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Penang, Malaysia by Maltelda, Perth, Australia by Elevation7, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Jules, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Riga, Latvia by Riga Images, Rollag, Norway by Stormel, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, San Francisco (CA), USA by Louis la Vache, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vichy, France by Delphsnl, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Vappu 1

Havis Amanda was capped today at 6pm and the May Day celebrations began! People popped their champagne bottles and the drinking started.

May Day celebrations here is a mixture of themes; a day for workers, a day for university students to wear their colourful overalls and get wasted AND a day for the young and old to wear their white graduation caps.
More photos to follow in the next few days ...

Havis Amanda

Havis Amanda is a nude female statue in Helsinki, Finland. It was sculpted by Ville Vallgren (1855-1940) in 1906 in Paris, but was not erected at its present location at the Market Square in Kaartinkaupunki until 1908.

She is a mermaid who stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions She is depicted leaning backwards as if to say goodbye to her element.

What's interesting about this statute is that she will be capped tomorrow. Students of the local universities will put a cap on the statue on an elaborate ceremony to start off the May Day celebrations. After which it is time to start drinking and get wasted.

Read more on May Day (Vappu) celebrations in Finland

Photo of the capping ceremony here!

yellow everywhere...

Today in Ullanlinna, Helsinki. :-)

Among the trees

A bus getting passengers and their bags. Took this from the train when it was at Louhela train station. The building seen here is a church and the people were seen loading their bags to the bus.

Budding..

BrOwN bUiLdInG

I've been in school the whole day doing my programming project that I haven't had any time to go places.
This office building is located opposite my school. My friend thinks it is an interesting building so that I'll post it here.

Time to sit outside!

Restaurants and bars have started to have their terraces open for customers. Restaurant RataKivi offers breakfast and lunch buffets at reasonable prices. Lunch buffet is from 1030 to 1400 for 8.20€. It has a good selection of tasty food.

Stop to smell ...

I saw these pretty flowers on my way home today. They were along the forest path that I take when I need to get home from the train station. It's not everyday that I take a slow walk and stop to smell the flowers.. today was such a day. Sunshine makes me smile :-)

It's Spring!

Today was a warm and sunny day. Spring has finally arrived. :)

It's a dog's life!

A lot of Finnish people have dogs. (well.. defintely more than Singaporeans) Dogs are well cared for here. They have their own parks and now their own cakes. BonBone in Ullanlinna for your doggy needs.

Recruitment Fair 2

SOL is a laundry service company. Stationed just outside Kamppi shopping centre for the recruitment fair.
Yup, more balloons.

Recruitment Fair

Adult Education and Recruitment Fair in Kamppi yesterday morning at 10am.

Spring display

Take a trip to Hawaii right here in Tiimari, Helsinki!

stylenotes

Time for Spring fashion at Stockmann's. Another store promotion with balloons!

Spring Designs 2

I prefer this design to the previous one.

Spring Designs 1

Looks like Marimekko is advertising its spring collection. Pretty colours!

Marimekko Corporation is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company that was established in 1951. The company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags and other accessories under the Marimekko brand, both in Finland and abroad. Official Website

Capped Castle

It's unfortunate that these beer bottle caps were found in the children's playground. But the kids have made something good out of a bad situation. Not to worry, the caps have been cleared.

Wire and Recycle Art 6

Still have one more for the wire and recycle art. You can't see it clearly here but there is a bulb inside. It lights up as well.

Break away

I saw this scene near Martinlaakso bus station yesterday. I was curious why the police van was parked there directing traffic while this piece of 'box' was stuck on the street. I immediately took out my phone and took a shot from the overhead bridge I was standing. Then I looked on the other side of the bridge.

It was too far to take the shot from there and so getting off the bridge and walking ahead, I saw the other part of the 'box'. It had seemed that the rear end of the lorry had somehow broken away from it. Maybe it was too high for the bridge. No idea how it happened but it was a good photo opportunity. ;-)

Wire and Recycle Art 5

This is the last for the wire and recycle art. A pretty sandal keychain.

Wire and Recycle Art 4

The guitar player. Besides these large figures, there are also smaller art pieces which can be used as keychains. Have a look at them tomorrow...

Wire and Recycle Art 3

It's a radio! As you can see, it plays when connected to a battery. Nice!

Wire and Recycle Art made by Francis Mushonga from Zimbabwe.
For more info contact: mushongafrancis@yahoo.com OR mushonga263@gmail.com
+358442762099 / +358408734583

Art on display at The Ullanlinna School, Neitsytpolku 2 B, 00140 Helsinki

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Wire and Recycle Art 2

The small bird is made of plastic. It was quite soft to hold.

Wire and Recycle Art 1

As mentioned last week, here are more details about the wire and recycle art displayed in Ullanlinna School. Ullanlinna School is the kindergarden where I work part-time.

These art pieces are made by Francis Mushonga from Zimbabwe.
For more info contact: mushongafrancis@yahoo.com
mushonga263@gmail.com
+358442762099 / +358408734583

More of his art pieces will be displayed this week.

Graffiti at Ilmala station

Still in pasila library

The label reads:
Martin Black (American: born 1962)
CONNECTIONS 2000
Hot-sculpted glass
Presented to the Helsinki Library by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Time for reading..

Pasila Library in Helsinki. Calm, quiet and peaceful..

Spare change, please...

In the past months, there have been a lot of reports on the increase of beggars in the Helsinki city region. Most of the beggars are refugees from Romania. The government is worried that the number will increase in summer when the weather gets warmer.

It is not illegal to beg here but the government is worried about the city's image. So they are trying to curb the problem by taking the children into custody. The authorities are hoping that this would force them to stop the act.
Well we'll have to wait and see...
Read and view videos at MTV3 news (in finnish)

Sandcastles and Snow

I was at work today and the kids were making sandcastles in the park. Yes, it was a nice sunny day with temperatures about 7 deg cel and the snow is melting away slowly but surely.
Hope you noticed the snow in the photo ...

Theme Day: Water

This Month's theme is Water and here's a bottle of WATER.

Hundijala VESI is a vodka from Estonia. VESI = WATER (in finnish and in estonian) has 80% alcohol content. Vesi is a proper word in finnish and it actually does mean water. dictionary result for the non-believer ;-) This bot was a gift from a friend for my husband and I have yet to taste it.

theme day id=13

Here are the other 177 sites participating in today's theme day.

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Gordio, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,