Story
by KerrinStory
by KerrinThis text is done by Kerrin. Then there are some comments by me; they're marked red. Not because I feel my text so important, no. But there's so much more her text.
During the early weeks of February 1997, I made contact over the internet with Olli Arnberg. Over a period of time, we became good friends, and during the following months I spoke of visiting Finland. Unfortunately, my financial situation precluded me from planning such a trip, but my the early weeks of June I discovered a discount airfare. So, we planned that I should visit during the first week of July 1997.
I left Johannesburg International Airport aboard Sabina bound for Brussels on the evening of 2 July 1997. I was nervous (I was, too!). Although I had spoken to Olli over the phone and exchanged several photographs with him, I knew that what I was doing was a little risky. I would be traveling to a foreign country, to be met by someone I did not really know. But, I felt confident that I would be in good hands once I arrived in Finland and I was also looking very forward to seeing a country which seemed to be a fairytale.
I arrived in Brussels at 7.30am the next morning. I had six hours between my arrival in Brussels and my departure for Finland, so I decided to take a little trip into Brussels. I placed my hand luggage in a locker and took a train into the city. My first impressions of Brussels were that of total surprise - the country side which I saw from the train was beautiful - very unlike what I had expected. It was also summer and the first time I had been in Europe during the summer. The thing that impressed me the most were the poppies I saw in the fields. And the houses made such an impression on me - they were very old fashioned, but quaint little brick houses with red roofs.
When I got into Brussels, all the shops were still closed. So, I took a walk and then had some coffee in a local cafe. But, by this time, I was getting anxious to get back to the airport. I was also becoming more and more nervous about my meeting with Olli by the moment.
I phoned Olli when I got back to the airport. He was extremely nervous to meet me, so the next four hours were very tense. Added to that, the flight was very full and hence uncomfortable. So, I was very pleased to finally arrive at Helsinki.
As I walked through customs, I was struck by the beauty of the airport. The floors were wooden, which surprised me. Everything was very clean. The customs official was very friendly. And then I walked through the baggage claim into the arrival hall, to see Olli sitting and waiting for me. It was as though I had known him all my life, and I at once felt a lot easier and happier about my decision. I kissed him hello (which I think surprised him (yes, I think so)) and while he drew some money from the ATM, I exchanged my Rands for Finnish Markka. The exchange was almost the same, the Rand being a little stronger.
Olli and I spent the rest of the day looking over the books I had brought with me from South Africa, as well as the map of Helsinki he had. He showed me where he had planned to take me over the next few days.
The next day, at about 10am
we arrived at the Harbor market (was it
that early, yuck!). I was really impressed by this.
The day was beautiful - but very humid. We first sat and had a
coke each (the price of which I could not believe! (thats
expensive place, yes)) and watched the people. Olli showed
me the historical buildings that we could see, including the President's
palace.
I was amazed by the market. The fruit and vegetables looked so inviting. Everything seemed so green and red and delicious (yes, then everything is very fresh). And the smell of the market was so good. We then went into the indoor market, which housed amongst other things the fish-stalls and deli's. Having never been a fish eater, I was amazed at my sudden hunger ... I wanted some of that fresh fish!
By this time we had collected an assortment of bags containing everything we had bought at the market. Our ultimate destination was the island of Suomenlinna, which is where we planned to have a picnic. So with us, we had a lot of food for the picnic, as well as a blanket that we could sit on. Olli's wheelchair began to resemble a pack-horse! I had not realized that it was going to be so hot (but that's quite unusual here), so we had not thought to bring hats with us. It was about 12 noon when we finally made out way down the ferry at the harbor which would take us across the bay to Suomenlinna. The trip on the ferry was lovely, it was so good to feel the breeze blowing on our faces (yes, yes, yes!), since we were feeling really hot. For me, it was hard to imagine that this country spent a good deal of the winter covered in snow. I was also very amazed at the ferry boats. I would have called them ships, they were so big! It was the first time in my life I had been so close to such a big ship!
We finally arrived on the island. The walk
in search of a picnic spot was grueling. It was extremely hot,
and also uphill. But the surrounding were so different, and really
interesting. Olli explained to me that this had once been the
fort which protected Helsinki from all enemies. Finally, we found
a spot under some really beautiful trees, where we set down our
blanket and held our picnic. It was lovely and cool there too,
and I really enjoyed lying under the trees in the breeze. We ate
strawberries, the sweetest and biggest I had ever tasted, as well
as other things we had bought in the market, and some things I
had bought with me from South Africa. I felt really relaxed and
very happy to be there, along with such a good friend.
By the time we returned, we were both very tired. As we sat
on the ferry back, I saw how sun-burned Olli's head was! He told
me not to fuss, but I could see it was bad (No!
After a week, it was bad, not then! ). We also sat next
to a Japanese gentleman who looked so nice a person. I happened
to take a photo of them and to this day Olli thinks I took a special
interest in him!!
And I
thought, that the previous day was the best. The next day
was Sunday, and the day I had been looking forward to the most!
Olli had booked a private sauna for 3 hours (at
Hvitträsk), somewhere a little way from Helsinki,
next to a large lake. The drive through the country-side was beautiful
- I saw the very pretty (although very plain) wooden houses and
the tall green trees. Eventually we arrived at the resort and
went into the Inn to have lunch before we got to the Sauna. Well
here I was most surprised. Olli ordered the best food I think
I had ever eaten. Amongst the food I ate, was Reindeer meat, which
I have to admit, was very good. And the potato balls are the best
I have ever eaten - and in all likelihood, will never get to eat
again. I felt really happy after all that wonderful food (even
though I felt guilty at the price Olli had paid for it!).
Then we were escorted down to the Sauna by someone from the Inn. The road was very very steep and I was particularly happy that the young man with us was there to push Olli - it was more like a case of pulling him downhill! Once we got down to the lake, I saw this Sauna. Then I finally realised how good it must be to live like that! Eventually, we undressed and went into the sauna. That was something I could never have imagined. The heat was very great, but felt good too. Olli had also purchased some branches (they are called 'vihta' or 'vasta'; I use 'vihta'), and the sent of that was excellent. From there, we had a swim in the lake, and then back into the sauna, and then the lake again .... I was so disappointed when it was time to leave. It seemed that the day went too quickly. Looking back now, I have to admit that that was a day I shall never ever forget. Although it was extremely expensive, it was well worth the money spent!!
One has
to drink quite plenty fluids after sauna (by the way, the word
'sauna' comes from our language). Because one sweats there quite
much. Usually we drink something like beer. But then some drink
our varsion of vodka (that's called 'Koskenkorva').
And so Monday came and today
it was a visit to Olli's Alma Mater, the Helsinki University of
Technology. We took the cab down and I went on a grand tour of
the university, which I must say, was very interesting. But, the
biggest surprise of all was when I found a manuscript in the library
written by none-other than Olli Arnberg!! He had never mentioned
this to me before. I was really surprised to see it and we then
had a long discussion about his "career". We ate lunch
in the canteen which took me back to my own university days. All
in all, I really enjoyed the day.
On the last day before my departure
we choose to rest rather than go out. I enjoyed this day, simply
spending it with a very special friend!!
Helmi (my cat) must have felt so neglected!
Or maybe she likes it!
We left at 9am. It was a very difficult thing
for me. I had had such a good time and it was now time to say
good-bye. I was very upset, but Olli retained his composure and
saw me off. it will be a trip I shall remember for the rest of
my life......