Design Week

Today I took the bus down to the Cable Factory because it is Design Week in Helsinki, so there was a sample sale of finnish designers.  I didn't have much luck shopping, but there are galleries in addition to the design market.  After poking around some video installations, I had pulla and coffee at the stylish cafe on the first floor.  Fittingly, it was packed with interesting modern design, like molded wooden chairs and sculptural chandeliers.  Its windows had views of an inlet.  Pulla are traditional finnish pastries that resemble cinnamon buns spiked with cardamom.


On the way home I stopped at the Hakaniemi Open Market, where I found a cheap-ish umbrella and lingonberries.  My nectarine galette worked so well I am tempted to try it again with a lingonberry and custard filling.  Lingonberry crepes are traditional, but tarts excite me more.


Also, I don't stick out quite as much as I thought.  Three elderly Finns addressed me in finnish today.  The Finns do seem shorter than the other Nordic peoples, so I blend better here than I did in Denmark.  




Näkemiin!