My often epileptic gallivantations have finally brought me to Helsinki. A city that I have come to love. This may be because of the concert I just attended: A free classical concert, (two firsts) where i heard Beethoven's Triple Concerto and another piece by a composer whos name I cannot be resigned to looking up, (I do recall he is/was Russian), never the less it was incredible. I have decided that I really must fulfill a longstanding dream and learn the violin.
So much has happened since I last send word. I went to Kyoto and saw many nameless temples and shrines, many beautiful but most grew increasingly meaningless as I saw more and more of them. I witnessed the legendary Sakura bloom of japan, it was every bit as fantastic as they say it is. I saw the two biggest bronze buddhas in japan and took many photos (of varying quality), and on the way to and from my base of Tokyo I just watched the landscape roll by, it was incredible the changes from coastal passages flat and infested with houses and people to the rolling mountain ranges with small villages clinging to the river banks and ankles of the hills, the houses never stopped but the architectural and physical changes in the landscape where almost musical.
I spent a week in Taiwan, staying with a friend I hosted and climbed the highest peak in the Taipei area (around 1300m) with a high fever and a cold, went to night markets and enjoyed cheap delicious food.
Back in Japan with few days remaining I made a day trip to the island of Enoshima and took a ridiculous amount of photos, some of which I actually like! (Although I do admit I am probably too critical of myself, or not critical enough...). I missed a flight to Hong Kong so pushed my flight to Helsinki forward and here I am.
So far I have walked around the city, I adore the architecture here, tall, square and often flat faced make them seem grand and old. Streets are full of character with shops hawking everything form 1948 newspapers to harmonicas between the local kebab shop and heavy metal bar. I love the markets full of strange and delightful sweets, meats, smiles, where wares of odd construction and unknown function abound. This city is like nothing I have seen, it is small and one is able to walk everywhere of interest (or of mention) in no less then an hour, it has few inhabitants for a capital, but not an insignificant number at around 500,000 and yet when I walked its broad straight streets today (it being satuday and the walk beginning at 1pm) I often found my self completely alone save the birds and my incredibly witty and knowledgable finnish friend and guide Juha.
Old buildings stand alongside new buildings and every corner presents another row of fascinatingly individual boutiques, each asking to be photographed and entered, begging me to explore its exotic wares, but never purchase as it is super expensive. I love the forgotten statues that adorn parks, a tribute to a war or hero I have no knowledge of. The people here are generally silent and, well, Finnish, but every Fin I have talked to has been an absolute delight, not even counting their incredibly bright eyes. Keen to drink beer and yell at football on TV after a black coffee in a cafe with charm and beauty.
If this city is a good representation of what the rest of Europe has to offer, or indeed the world I doubt I will ever return home.
I cannot describe my excitement when I ponder the possibilities of Germany, France, Spain, Canada (Quebec in particular), Poland and, well, anywhere...
Dispite all the parks, temples, wonderful libraries and churches, squares and restaurants I have found that the thing I value most is meeting people and finding out about their lives and how they think. I have met indescribably fascinating, friendly and beautiful people who have all created a memory and changed the way I perceive my world, my place in it and my ability to change who I am, what I do and the world around me.
I do hope this inspiration to change and follow my dreams grows and matures, and not, sadly wither and crumble as habitually occurs.
I have also noticed the persona of Dr Herbert Tiggleston, Guru. has taken a back seat to rather conversational missives to you from simply: me (if in a manner that I could never conjure up in any social setting). I had thoughts of using Guru with much metaphore and various subtle allusions to sociological and philospohical standings and questions, but he seems to have been lost in the back streets of Narita, with no slave porters (who really just feel sorry for him) to guide him out. I do hope he returns.
I am moving on from Helsinki, and Finland on the wednesday to come. I am not sure whether this is a terribly good idea as there is much here to do and see that I have not yet done or seen, but I fear that if I stay here I will just stay here and not do or see in other places.
I will attempt to recall stories and places of note in future missives but I do not really enjoy writing about random days. As it is this blog is scattered and unorganised enough, which poetically, reflects its author quite well.
Ah! I failed to tell you to where I am headed. I will be in Paris by Thursday. The fact that I can say that still tickles me pink.
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