Finland Stories


HELSINKI-NEWER THAN WASHINGTON D.C.

EXCERPTED FROM MY BOOK "OUR SUMMER IN ESTONIA": AMAZON.COM Helsinki is a new city. New, that is, relative to most capital cities in Europe, capitals that take such pride in celebrating their 1000th anniversary, or having the oldest university, the oldest church or the oldest brothel, the oldest torture chamber, or the oldest drowning well. Not Helsi...


Home is Where I'm Leaving Behind

Scandinavia 2008 - Day 23 Barely alive at 8:30am, I fumbled my way down the circular stone staircase to the hostel lobby where I found breakfast in an adjacent room. It was quite the spread of breads and fresh cut fruits, with a spattering of ham rolls and other cheap slices of meats and cheeses. I stacked a plate of things that would best soak up...


Rock'n Rhythm Rawkhuse

Scandinavia 2008 - Day 22 Friday morning I awoke three minutes before ten, so no breakfast. I ate a cheeseburger on the way to the Ateneum Art Museum. The Ateneum has a fuckin' great collection. I think I might have even discovered a new artist I've never heard of yet totally dig. Lunch was at the Czech bar Vlatava was really tasty. I got to try a ...


Crying in a Metal Bar

Scandinavia 2008 - Day 5 It was a very long walk in the rain to Wilhelm’s apartment, about 2 miles. When I got to his apartment I was tired, sore, and soaked to my shorts, but he wasn’t home. That really sucked. I walked back out to the main road headed back into town and waited under the awning of a closed gas station until a city bus came by. The b...