Childhood Memories - A Weekend in Germany

I spent a beautiful family weekend in Germany.

I remember how when I first left Germany I got offended whenever people joked that all German men have mustaches. Now eleven years after leaving Germany for good (not that I knew that back then, and who knows one day I might return...or then again maybe not :) ) I have to smile every time when I arrive at a German airport and compete with plenty of mustache wearing men for a spot at the baggage belt.

This time I discovered the truth behind another stereotype that I never thought true; German sitting rooms. In movies a German sitting room always has a certain look to it that I always thought to be way over top. This weekend though I looked a sitting room (I won't confess whose ;)) with fresh eyes and I was really surprised by the look of it (and I have to admit I also felt a little claustrophobic). That is not to say that Irish sitting rooms with fitted carpets and uncomfortable, floral patterned sofas are much better; they are just different (and strangely the thing I have gotten used to lately).

Helsinki in the sun

I went for a quick trip to Hanover and then Helsinki and Tampere.

Germany was interesting. Already on the train everyone started complaining about absolutely everything and I felt right at home. It was great to see friends and family and I finally got to enjoy some spaghetti ice again.

Then I got to wander around in Helsinki. I haven’t seen Helsinki for 1.5 years and I was really excited; I immediately went and bought a Karelian pie, which I tried eating by the market square. I just sat down peacefully with my pie trying to enjoy the view when a huge seagull landed on my head. It was quite painful and also quite embarrassing as people started to point and laugh at me. I shook the nasty bird off and hid my pie quickly in my handbag. Then I dived into the crowd to lose the gang of seagulls that still seemed to follow me, giving me dirty looks. Later in front of one of the market tents I felt safe enough to quickly take out my pie and try another bite. When I lifted the pie I just heard a squeak and then felt a sharp pain in my hand. The pie was gone ! A seagull had attacked me from behind. These birds have really gotten much worse during my absence.

It was amazing how big and empty the streets in Helsinki felt. The space was enormous. There were just a few tourists and middle-aged people clad in the latest marimekko floral patterns and despite the space still managing to bump into each other. The weather was hot and dry and actually very sunny, another big difference to Ireland. I got to wear sandals for a whole day and happily walked along the shore until I got blisters.

I miss a lot of good things about Finland such as the public transport, good quality streets and the reliability and sincerity of people, but I was also very happy to come back to Dublin and once again be part of a much more international, chaotic crowd with a lot more attractive shop windows (I forgot how bad Finnish shop windows used to look) and more smiling faces on the street.