On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Good Morning Everybody,
Once again, we’ve got a holiday treat from otmar, and we’re thankful!
Have a great weekend, everybody – travel safely and be full of good cheer and lots of patience. We’re all stuck on this beautiful blue ball spinning in the barren cold of space, so try to find something to admire (or at least tolerate) in everyone you meet, you never know what burdens folks are struggling with, no matter their appearance or attitude.
Once again, I was on the road for EU business. And again, I’m visiting the capital city of the member state that currently holds the presidency of the EU council. This means Finland / Helsinki.
I told my peer there to organize the meeting in the summer, but he insisted that we all travel to Helsinki in November. That’s not what the tourist guides recommend. So it’s quite dark, but thankfully not that cold (yet) and no snow.
I had little time for sight-seeing, so here are some of the snapshots I took while walking to/from venues.
This is the Finnish parliament. This week, they elected a new prime minister: a rather young woman who leads a majority-female cabinet.
I didn’t enter the building, I just passed by on the way to Finlandia hall.
On the way back from the evening social event at the waterfront we walked past the venue where Trump and Putin met, and close by is the Cathedral.
Before I took the early morning train on the way to the airport, I walked past the train station to meet with some fellow analysts at an Estonian pub.
The architecture of the train station fascinates me. It was designed by Eliel Saarinen and inaugurated in 1919, the full Wikipedia article is here.
The train station also includes this tower. So somehow the whole building features some aspects usually associated with a church.
eclare
Those lights at the train station are imposing!
Sloane Ranger
Love the train station. Looks Art Deco to me, but I know nothing about architecture.
bago
Those are a lot of heavy stones. It’s brutalist without the concrete.
Zinsky
Thanks for the positive, upbeat message, Alain! We should look for something to admire in everyone – everyone has a talent that will surprise you, if you look for it! The Finnish Parliament building is very stark-looking, isn’t it? Thank you for the pictures!
Sm*t Cl*de
Out of curiosity, how does an Estonian pub differ from a Finnish one? The beer is cheaper?
JPL
Thanks Otmar and even without snow, it looks cold.
arrieve
Thanks, Otmar! I had a very brief visit to Helsinki many years ago, and I’ve always wanted a better look at that train station. There’s some really interesting architecture in that city.
otmar
@Sm*t Cl*de: Actually, I’m not sure if the beer is significantly cheaper. I made the decision not to think about the beer price for the 3 days I was there. And the locals chose the pub.
Anyway, the pub is connected to the Sori Brewery.
stinger
otmar, as always you pick interesting subjects and showcase them. You live in and travel to so many places I’d like to see but probably never will. Thank you for sharing!
Wag
Great photos. I love Finland, and especially Helsinki.
Albatrossity
Beautiful! But yes, it looks a bit chilly. Hope to see Helsinki someday!
bemused
Shouldn’t Finland have snow by now?
bemused
@Albatrossity:
Years ago, we were in Finland including Helsinki in late Oct. Darn cold and we bundled up.
J R in WV
The after dark photos are probably typical of Finnish life for at least 4 months of the year. Well done as usual, Ottmar. We’re so lucky to have photo correspondents posting from all over the world, and your gradual scenic tour of Europe is wonderful
Thanks so much! And keep up the good work!!
ETA to test edit… looks good!