Finland Archives - Battered Suitcases

November 4, 2010

Novelty Snacks of Finland

Finnish fails.

Novelty Snack: Wasa Sandwich
Description: Cream cheese and chives sandwiched between two pieces of Wasa bread.
Tastes Like: Weird fake cheese between two pieces of Wasa bread.
Verdict: Thumbs neutral

Novelty Snack: Lakritsi
Description: A cute wrapper on an unknown piece of candy
Tastes Like: Gross. Flavored licorice.
Verdict: Thumbs down!

Novelty Snack: Patkis
Description: Mint chocolate candy bar
Tastes Like: An Andes mint
Verdict: Thumbs up!

Novelty Snack: Lakritsi
Description: A cute wrapper on an unknown pear and vanilla flavored candy
Tastes Like: Kinda gross pear vanilla licorice
Verdict: Thumbs neutral

Novelty Snack: Lakritsi
Description: A cute wrapper on an unknown candy
Tastes Like: Gross black licorice
Verdict: Thumbs down!

Novelty Snack: Fami
Description: A hazelnut chocolate truffle candy bar
Tastes Like: Very rich and creamy hazelnut chocolate
Verdict: Thumbs neutral. A bit too rich for me.

Novelty Snack: Jim
Description: A candy bar named after my dad!
Tastes Like: I don’t know! I made him the official taster and he won’t eat it!
Verdict: ???

xo, jill

posted by Jill 2 Comments
Filed Under: Finland, Novelty Snacks

October 21, 2010

The next morning we were ready to explore Helsinki. My grandmother’s family on my mother’s side immigrated from Finland. Naturally, it’s always held a special interest to me. Unfortunately, a good majority of the items on our adventure list required sunny warm weather. The day was gray, chilly, and a bit wet.

Instead of taking a ferry out to summery islands, we visited the city’s museum and a local church.

photo by Hannah

Look who was in town… the United Buddy Bears!

photo by Hannah

The Finnish bear!

“UAE, Emirate!”

photo by Hannah

USA!

Hehe… bear buns / bare buns.

The views about town were a bit… bland? The gray weather was not doing the city any favors.

”

Having done a little research beforehand, we found two delicious vegetarian restaurants. Two of the best meals of my trip. True vegetarian food… not just substituting cheese or tofu for the meat dish. I felt a bit jealous of the locals who can visit every day.

In the afternoon we escaped the chilly weather by visiting Kiasma, the contemporary art museum. Plenty of interesting art inside.

photos by Hannah

photo by Hannah

Then we popped off to Marimekko… oh my! We spotted the signature textiles the minute our plane landed.

I think I caught Helsinki a bit too late in the season. I would love to give it a second chance earlier in the summer. I think a sunny day and warmer weather would help Helsinki present her best self.

photo by Hannah

xo, jill

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Filed Under: Finland

October 20, 2010

Hello Helsinki.

So good to meet you.

Hannah and I were up the next day ready for some more traveling. We had a midday flight to Stockholm, then another flight to Helsinki. We rounded up Hannah’s monster luggage and said our goodbyes.

One friend followed us up to the bus stop to allow for a few street style shots.

photo by Hannah

He loved it.

Both flights were pretty quick. I hope you know what I was listening to…

photo by Hannah

The Helsinki airport is a bit outside the city. After the bus ride into town, and the tram to our hostel, it was getting late in the day.

photo by Hannah

We quickly dropped off our luggage and went out in search of… mashed potatoes. Random craving, but we both had it.

Our hostel directed us towards a traditional Finnish restaurant. Unfortunately, the menu featured reindeer and trout. Not so tasty. Not to mention, after 8pm the restaurant becomes a nightclub. We were told we had to pay to check our jackets before being seated. No thanks. Who wants to dine at a night club with a giant tractor in the middle of the room?

Too bad we didn’t have a Hump Day dinner party to attend!

photo by Hannah

After walking several chilly blocks, our search brought us to a supermarket. We giggled as we decided to make instant mashed potatoes instead. A nice grocery attendant explained the directions on the back for us.