Green balconies

Balconies in Budapest, taken with a Diana camera. I usually try to avoid things such as traffic signs which can date the image but this time I wanted the sign to be in the picture.

Close To Paradise

Somewhere between Kotka and Helsinki
Today I was lucky while walking home. I saw a live fox and the minute I opened my home door the rain started.

There are albums for the springtime, records that tell to go out, meet some friends, have a beer, but there are also albums for these stormy autumn days, for staying inside, for rubber boots and blankets. One of my favourites of those albums is Patrick Watson's record Close to Paradise. The music will always remind me of a trip to my boyfriend's hometown, a small town in Western Finland, the raining, driving through the autumn forests, a trip to a lighthouse (I always want to go there when visiting the town!) and the smell of wet clothes.

Magic hour

In Budapest the last hour before the sunset is amazing. Everything gleams golden, the buildings, the river, mountains, the warm air. (I love that particular hour in many other countries too.)

When watching these photos it's hard to believe that it's already autumn! My vacation just started! I'm afraid of the winter. Soon all I can think about is "Brrrr. Cold. F*ck." or "I NEED SOME SUNSHINE." or "Why do I stay in Finland in a first place?" I guess this winter I should concentrate on good things such as staying in bed, reading, listening to music and drinking ginger tea. But at first I'm going to enjoy the autumn, rubber boots, sweaters and yellow and red leaves.

Pedal Cars

Pedal cars in Sziget, Budapest. Taken with Smena Symbol, bought from flea market in Budapest.

Today I'm 27. It's been a good day.

Balloons in Budapest

We are back from hot Budapest with two new cameras and a lot of photos which I'm going to show you one by one in long winter days. The blue thing is on again so no more text today. I just hope that my hand will feel better one day.

And a little rain never hurt no one

So my holiday finally started and so started the raining. But I have my books and I have my records, and in a week we are off to, if not to the mountains, but to at least to mount Gellért in Budapest.



It's been seven years since my last visit to Budapest, I have forgotten a lot. It will be nice to visit the same places which bring back the memories and to find some new ones to remember too. I haven't planned anything special, but I know our program will include eating, resting, walking, culture, more eating and then some walking and maybe some shopping. We will miss the WAMP design market, but I found this article from The New York Times. It has many great tips in it.



The photos in this post are few years old. Only the first image is taken with a digital camera, and the last one was taken with a Pingo. (I still prefer film.) I have some new pictures to show as well, but I was too lazy to scan the negatives or search for some recently taken digital photos. And the headline is from a Tom Waits song. (I still adore him.)

5? No way! 7? A challenge, but maybe...

I promised to Elsa to introduce five of my favourite places in my hometown, Helsinki. They could be bars, cafés, restaurants, shops, anything. I started to think the places and this challenge yesterday, and it was extremely hard because there's so many alternatives! Then I decided to narrow my search and to think only about my own neighborhood, Kallio (and neighbouring areas such as Harju). It was still extremely difficult to choose only five locations, so I added two more because writing a blog should be easy and relaxing. Especially writing an entry about your favourite places. So, here goes: my seven loved ones in Helsinki.

1. Taverna Zorbas

A cosy Greek restaurant. The prices are reasonable, lunchtime offers, the food always tastes great, atmosphere is warm and welcoming.


Tokoinranta, Kallio. Im hiding in this picture

2. Keräilyliike Kulkukatin poika

Comic books. What more there is to say? Friendly service and room full of Disney comics. (At the age of 26, I still need my daily dose of Donald Duck.)


Some old picture from Helsinki

3. Hakaniemen halli and Hakaniemi market place

A classic for the groceries, fresh vegetables and special goods.

4. Wanha Kaarle

Finnish design from 50's, 60's and 70's. Enamel plates and mugs, porcelain dishes, old toys, ets. I pass this store almost every day, and the shopkeeper is often out building the display for the store and he is always so nice!

5. Flea market Valtteri

Another classic. Sometimes it's full of pirate crap, plastic shoes and old dirty clothes, but there are days when it's full of treasures.


Old wooden duck from USSR, found from Valtteri and a tiny piece of our record collection

6. Lepakkomies

Small, hot and sweaty bar near Kurvi. A place for live music. I've seen many great gigs there, Jolly Jumpers, Murmansk, and for those late nights out, Vegemesta is never far...

7. Avikainen bakery

Best bread in Helsinki!

+ a bonus: Café Sinisen huvilan kahvila in Linnunlaulu. The view is beautiful. And Rytmi! And Sävel! And Lemon Grass! And and and....