Helsinki, the first point of contact with Finland
Helsinki, January 30, 2018
Today was all about traveling, starting with the flight from Barcelona to Helsinki. I finished the last-minute preparations (as usual, at the last minute), packed my backpack, and headed to the airport a few hours early. Normally, I don’t sleep well the night before a trip, so I was a bit tired… but I usually make up for it with a good nap on the plane or train. Despite this, everything went smoothly, I have set foot in Finland, and I managed to survive the winter cold.
Here’s how my day went:
The Backpack
I aimed to travel with just carry-on luggage to avoid hauling too much stuff. The less, the better. But traveling to Finland in winter doesn’t exactly allow for light packing. Coats, gloves, hats, thermal wear, regular clothes, snow gear, boots… even if you pack light, snow gear alone fills up your bag.
I traveled with two backpacks: a large one (Forclaz 50L from Decathlon) and a smaller one (Quechua 10L from Decathlon). I didn’t have to check in any luggage. Though the large backpack was quite full, it wasn’t as heavy as I feared. Before packing, I reduced my list of items, especially clothing, to avoid unnecessary stuff since you can always buy things if needed. I might have packed more than I need, but I’ll figure that out as the days go by.
The Flight
The flight, operated by Norwegian, was at 14:40. It wasn’t very full, with the last rows nearly empty and several seats with just one person (like mine). When we took off from Barcelona, it was still daylight, but after about an hour, it began to get dark. By the time we arrived in Finland, it was completely dark. Keep in mind the latitude and time zone; Finland is an hour ahead of Spain.
Not many people travel to Helsinki in these cold months. The man in front of me asked why I was visiting Finland at this time of year (whether it was for work or study), if I knew it was winter, and that it was very cold and snowing. When I told him about my plans, especially that I would be volunteering in a Finnish village, he was quite surprised and asked if I was going with drug addicts. I chose not to give details to avoid scaring him further.
From the Airport to Central Helsinki
Once at Helsinki Airport, I followed the signs to take the VR train to the city center. Tickets can be purchased at the same airport, with options like single, weekly, or passes. A single ticket costs €5 and the journey takes about half an hour. I paid with a card because I didn’t find a slot for cash, only coins. But, to be honest, I’m quite forgetful. I also didn’t find a place to validate the ticket… so I assume you just show it if asked by a conductor.
Unlike the huge EXIT signs at the airport, finding the main exit of Helsinki’s central station was a mystery. It wasn’t clearly marked (or maybe I just missed it), so I ended up in the taxi area. I was a bit disoriented, it was very cold, and it had started snowing, so I asked locals for directions to my accommodation. I also feared my phone might freeze, which was quite likely. Anyway, I got directions and arrived safe and sound.
The Hostel
The hostel is called The Yard and is located on Kalevankatu Street. It’s on the third floor and quite cozy, though I expected more for what I paid. Finland is quite expensive when it comes to accommodation. A single room can easily cost €70, depending on the level of luxury.
My room was shared with 6 girls. As I was the last to arrive, I got a top bunk since all the lower beds were already taken. Once settled, I grabbed my laptop and went to the lounge to check out the atmosphere. The scene was: a guy watching trap music videos on TV, three or four people working on laptops, and me eating my salami sandwich. My first impression was that everyone was either a couple or solo travelers looking for budget accommodation.
And that’s about it… tomorrow, I’ll continue with my journey to my destination, so it’s time to rest.
Good night!
